When car enthusiasts see a "Chevy Blazer," many still think of a "Ford Bronco." That's not the case with the reimagined crossover SUV we see here, but Chevy has imbued the midsize truck with some sensible sporty DNA and delivered it in a package that offers plenty of practicality for the price—provided you don't go crazy. Options.
The Blazer competes with the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport and, of course, GM's midsize two-row offerings, offering a more realistic look and driving feel than many compact SUVs on the market (although it doesn't necessarily project interior space). . Larger). The Blazer may have wandered from its roots, but for now it's one of GM's mainstays and one set to survive the upcoming EVpocaylpse with the futuristic Blazer EV.
What's new for 2023?
This model year is the first noteworthy update we've seen for the Blazer since its debut in 2019. The changes are far from comprehensive, but it does get some minor visual updates along with several cabin improvements, including the standard infotainment screen. . . 10 inches, plus expanded availability of adaptive cruise control. Aside from some updated wheel options and a new "Nightshift Blue" finish (photos not provided), the Blazer is otherwise unchanged for 2023.
What does the Blazer look like inside and out?
On the other hand, the Blazer's cabin impresses with its Camaro-inspired design elements—note the rotating air vents/climate controls in particular—that make it feel as luxurious inside as it does outside. Unfortunately, the quality of the materials used is disappointing considering the Blazer's price. This is especially the case with Premier and RS trims that can top $50,000, but even lower trim levels aren't nicer than compact SUVs (Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V) cost much less when equipped similarly.
At the very least, Blazer's infotainment offerings are better and more plentiful than most. Each version gets a 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-car 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, OnStar, and four USB ports, including a USB-C (micro) port. This touch screen display is very easy to use with large, clear icons and a sensible menu structure and is now paired with wireless device charging.
What is Blazer's size?
The Blazer is a midsize crossover, with exterior dimensions that put it in the camp of cars like the Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota Venza (the Honda Passport also attends this camp but is roomier than the Blazer). However, rear-seat legroom at 39.6 inches is only comparable to larger compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and it has less headroom. That low, smooth roof may cause your hair to graze the headliner, and with the panoramic sunroof, you may need to crouch down or use the seatback's wide recline.
The rear seat slides generously, making it easy to bring kids closer to those in the front or create extra luggage space. That's a good thing, because shipping numbers on paper are unremarkable. There's 30.3 cubic feet with the seats high and 64.2 cubic feet when lowered completely flat thanks to a cleverly designed seat bottom (see shipping video below). By contrast, the largest compact models like the CR-V and Kia Sportage are in the mid-30s and 70s, respectively. Even the Chevrolet Equinox has a cubic foot less than the Blazer's maximum cargo capacity.
What is the Blazer's performance and fuel economy?
The Chevrolet Blazer comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. but all-wheel drive is optional. Like the V6, it's mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is achieved at an estimated 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. It drops to 22/27/24 with AWD.
Optional on 2LT and 3LT models (and standard on RS and Premier) is a 3.6-liter V6 making 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It's one of the fastest midsize crossovers as a result, hitting 60 mph in the low 6-second range. Note that only the RS is available with a more advanced all-wheel drive system with a torque-vectoring rear differential that improves handling as well as enhances traction.