When Chevrolet told us that they were going to be introducing a new 2019
Chevrolet Blazer we got very excited. We thought hey cool here's a new 4x4 meant
to go up against real serious off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler or
the new upcoming Ford Bronco but that's not exactly what Chevrolet had in mind.
Instead they've introduced the new Blazer as a five passenger two row
premium crossover vehicle meant to go up against things like the Ford Edge or the
Nissan Murano. Now it's got the V6, it's got all wheel drive but it's also got a
very sporty version in the new RS that you see behind me. We came here to San
Diego, California to get a better look at the new Blazer, to drive it and to see
exactly what Chevrolet is brought to the new crossover party. You can have your
Blazer in one of a few different flavors. The base model comes with a standard 2.5
liter four-cylinder engine making 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque
mated to a 9 speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive is
standard on all Blazers but if you want all-wheel drive you'll have to bump up
to one of the V6 models, you can't get it with the four-cylinder engine. This base
model is peppy and agile, has a decent interior and features most of the
dramatic styling that makes the new Blazer a real standout on the streets.
The front end bears a definite resemblance to the more sporty
Chevrolet's like the Camaro but the headlights are a little unusual.
Those lights up high on the fenders are just LED running lights, the actual
headlights are HID projector style units down in the bumper. All Blazers have a
floating roof design first seen on the Nissan Murano many years ago but now
copied on to just about every automakers new SUV. The overall effect is attractive
however especially if you get one of the more standout colors like bronze or
bright red. Add the V6 to the basic Blazer L and you'll get what Chevy calls
the Blazer V6 trim available with either cloth or leather interior or spend a
little more coin and get one of the two top trim levels, the Premier or the RS.
Both come with General Motors omnipresent 3.6 liter v6 engine making
308 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque. Like the four-cylinder it's mated
to a 9 speed automatic sending power to the front wheels. All wheel drive is
optional on all these six trim levels but the Premier and RS trims get a
special dual clutch all wheel drive system instead
of the more basic single-clutch system in the lesser models. The Premier gets
a monochrome exterior paint job with body-colored bumpers and fender trim as
well as 20-inch wheels. The RS gets a sportier look with black out fender and
window trim, a more aggressive black mesh grille and black painted 20-inch wheels.
21 inch wheels are an option on both the Premier and RS trims. Inside the
influence of the Chevy Camaro is clear from the design of the multimedia system
atop the dash to the big round air vents that also control the temperature. The
Blazer looks decidedly sporty-er than any of its competitors like the Ford
Edge or Nissan Murano. The more luxurious Premier trim has some decent luxury
touches inside like unique leather dash trim while the RS goes for a racy
two-tone look. Both have acceptable quality trim on the dash and center
console but that material quality falls off on the door panels and in the
backseat. I will give Chevy credit for keeping the
height adjustable seat belts, something they've been removing on new models
lately. The interior is comfortable up front with plenty of width and height to
the cabin. This is a bigger SUV than the compact Equinox crossover. It's almost as
wide inside as the much larger full-size Chevrolet Traverse. The second row
features a sliding seat to maximize either cargo space or back seat legroom
and the seat backs fold flat via mechanical handles in the cargo area.
The back seat is comfortable for two but might be a bit tight for three full size
adults across the bench. The cargo area itself is spacious. This is a bigger SUV
then you might think. It is easily a match for the new Honda Passport
or even the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Out on the street the difference in driving
experience is actually greater between the four-cylinder and six-cylinder
models than between the top Premier and RS trim levels despite the RS' more
sporting pretense. All Blazers feel solid and surprisingly substantial with
excellent body control and a ride and handling balance that's impressive.
The RS gets a slightly more aggressive suspension tune and a quicker steering
ratio but not really much else. It's not like the Traverse RS that gets a unique
engine. The same engine power is the Premier trim too. It's sporty-er than a
Murano or a Santa Fe but a Ford Edge ST with its twin turbocharged V6 will
easily spike a Blazer RS in a contest of acceleration. Suffice it to say the RS
delivers more sporty looks than athletic ability
providing a fun styling statement and a slightly tighter driving experience.
Choosing one trim over the other really becomes more of which one you think
looks most appealing. The new 2019 Blazer is not cheap. A base-model 2.5 L starts
at just a tick under $30,000 including the
destination fee while the least expensive V6 front-wheel drive model
starts at $34,495. All wheel
drive adds $2,700 to that price. The RS starts at $41,795
while the Premier starts at $43,895.
Load up an RS or Premier with all-wheel drive and every option on the sheet and
you're easily into the low $50,000 range which is a lot of coin for a midsize
Chevy SUV but is indeed comparable to what you'd pay for a Murano, Edge or
Grand Cherokee. With its sophisticated styling, its excellent ride handling
characteristics and the technology-laden interior the new Blazer really is a
quite formidable competitor to the Murano and the Edge. It's on sale now in
dealerships across the country and if you'd like to learn more about the new
Chevrolet Blazer please come look us up on Cars.com.