2019 Chevrolet Blazer Road Test and Review

2019 Chevrolet Blazer ・ Photo by General Motors

The original Chevrolet K5 Blazer was a pioneering vehicle in the development of SUVs. First sold in 1969, the Blazer was built on a Chevy truck chassis and featured a removable rear roof section. This generation of the Blazer is still prized by off-road enthusiasts for its 4X4 capability and the convenience of a large covered cargo area. Since 1983, the Blazer name has also gone on a compact SUV that delivered the same benefits in a smaller package. Chevy made the smaller Blazer until 2005.

Now Chevrolet has revived the Blazer nameplate for the 2019 model year, this time as a mid-size two-row, five-passenger crossover SUV designed for current times. The new Blazer is upscale and up to date, with a full set of features and a bold new look. Keep reading to find out all about it.

Six Distinct Trim Levels

The Blazer's base L model includes a four-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive, a nine-speed automatic transmission, cloth upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment interface for $29,995, including destination fees. Next up, the $33,495 Blazer 2.5L model adds a few goodies like satellite radio and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The big jump in performance comes with the Blazer V6 Cloth trim, which adds a 3.6-liter V6 engine for $34,495. The Blazer V6 Leather starts at $38,695 and adds a long list of comfort and safety features starting with heated leather seats and a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear parking alert.

The two top trim levels really bring the features. The RS comes with a different grille, black Chevy bowtie badging, 20-inch black wheels, a larger driver information screen, perforated leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a gesture-activated liftgate, and a cargo control system for $41,795. The top Premier trim level puts more luxury inside the Blazer while keeping a more conventional appearance outside. Buyers will enjoy 20-inch premium wheels, a Bose premium audio system, heat and ventilation in the front seats, heat in the outboard rear seats, and a power tilt and telescoping wheel for $43,895.

Photo by General Motors

Driveline and Fuel Economy

The base trims of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer come with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy for all Blazer models equipped with this powertrain is 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, with a real-world average of about 24 mpg.

The upgrade engine for the 2019 Blazer is a 3.6-liter V6, rated at 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine also uses a nine-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can choose from front-wheel or all-wheel-drive in any V6 trim level. Fuel economy with the V6 engine is 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for a front-wheel-drive Blazer, and 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined when equipped with AWD.

Photo by General Motors

AWD and Traction Control Systems

All 2019 Blazers come with some form of selectable traction control. Front-wheel-drive Blazers allow you to select normal, snow, or sport modes. If your Blazer has AWD, available modes include touring, normal, sport, off-road, and tow-haul mode. Touring mode is notable because it disconnects the rear axle entirely and allows an AWD Blazer to improve its fuel economy to near FWD levels. This is handy on long road trips, for example, when AWD is not needed.

The RS and Premier trim levels use a different AWD system that includes a twin-clutch rear differential. Where the basic AWD system either uses the rear wheels or not, the RS and Premier system allows the Blazer to direct power to either rear wheel individually. This helps enhance traction under the worst conditions, and it also improves stability and handling at all times.

Photo by General Motors

Interior and Seats

When you get in the Blazer, you start to see how it’s different from three-row mid-size SUVs. Because the Blazer never has to accommodate a third-row seat, the designers were able to allocate space differently to make the vehicle more spacious and comfortable for five passengers. The rear seats can be moved forward and back, and they will recline a little bit. 

The basic Blazer seats are comfortable and you won’t feel like you’re doing penance for choosing the base trim. The RS seats have a sport design, which means they may be a little too firm for some tastes. Be sure to drive over some bumpy pavement on your test drive to really experience these seats. In contrast, the Premium trim seats are just right, with power lumbar support, heat and ventilation, and high-quality leather upholstery.

Photo by General Motors

Connectivity Systems

The Blazer's standard 8-inch touchscreen is mounted high on the dash to stay in the driver’s natural field of vision. A row of buttons below the screen offers immediate access to the home screen, and you get a real volume knob for the audio system. 

Chevrolet is a market leader in data connectivity, offering a 4G/LTE data package that creates a Wi-Fi zone inside the vehicle. In addition to some native apps in the Chevy Infotainment 3 system, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported. The Blazer comes with up to six USB ports, including a USB-C interface for the latest devices. Top trim levels also include a 110-volt power outlet and an optional wireless charging pad located in a cubbyhole at the forward end of the console.

Photo by General Motors

Cargo Capacity and Arrangement

A big part of the appeal of any SUV is cargo capacity. The Blazer offers up to 64.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down, and 30.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. That’s on par with competing two-row SUVs, and it beats some of the three-row mid-size crossovers.

One great feature available on the RS and Premier trim levels is a new cargo management system. An adjustable cargo fence slides and clamps in rails mounted in the floor of the cargo area. When you don’t need it, the cargo fence stows neatly under the cargo area with the spare tire. There's even a little bit of secret storage space under there, too. 

Photo by General Motors

Safety Features

All trim levels of the Blazer offer basic safety and driver assistance features including a full set of airbags, stability controls, tire pressure monitoring, teen driver functions, daytime running lights, OnStar crash assistance, and a rearview camera. An optional Driver Confidence package adds blind-spot and lane change monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assistance to the lower trim levels. 

If you purchase the mid-grade 3.6-liter Leather trim or higher, the Driver Confidence package is included. The RS and Premium trims also offer an optional Driver Confidence II package that includes a camera-based rearview mirror, a haptic safety alert seat, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, a following-distance indicator, a forward collision alert with automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keeping assistance, and a 360-degree surround-vision camera.

Photo by General Motors

On the Road

Depending on the model you choose, the Blazer can have a very different personality on the road. The RS in particular can be a little harsh over rough pavement owing to its sport-tuned suspension and a slightly quicker steering ratio. We found the top Premier trim level to be far and away the most pleasant and compelling experience. The Premier rides smoothly, without feeling mushy at any point. The 3.6-liter V6 engine is capable in acceleration, but not outstanding. Most mid-size SUV buyers will find it well-suited to normal driving.

One last feature to mention is trailering capability. FWD Blazers can tow up to 1,500 pounds when equipped with optional trailering equipment. AWD Blazers include a trailering package good for 4,500 pounds and a hitch-view camera angle to help when backing up to a trailer.

Photo by General Motors

Competing SUVs

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer will be competing against a tough field including the 2019 Nissan Murano, 2019 Ford Edge, and 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Each of these brings its own strengths to the market. The top 2019 Nissan Murano leads a bit on price compared to the Blazer Premium, but only by a couple thousand dollars. The 2019 Ford Edge offers a compelling ST sport trim with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost turbo engine and available brake upgrade kit to compete with the Blazer RS. Both of these should be on your test drive list to compare with the Blazer.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the undisputed segment leader, outselling all the rest by tens of thousands of units. It’s possible to create a super-high-performance model with over 700 horsepower and costing nearly $90,000, but with comparable features to the Blazer, the Grand Cherokee is competitive on price. Be sure to test drive the Grand Cherokee before making any final decisions.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Should you or shouldn’t you?

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is heir to a long tradition of great SUVs, and we think you won’t regret buying one for yourself. If you’re looking for a luxurious five-passenger mid-size SUV, the Premier trim is competitive in price and features with the market leaders, and an enjoyable ride.

If you’re the kind of person with a Chevy bowtie tattoo and a long history with the brand, the RS offers a bold look, but it’s far more than a paint and trim package. You’ll experience a real difference with this model. Finally, if you’re just looking for a better-than-average family SUV, the basic Blazer fits the bill and won’t break your bank account.

Photo by General Motors