Chevrolet Blazer2023 Review

Chevrolet Blazer:2019 marked the Chevrolet Blazer’s return to dealerships after a fourteen-year hiatus. Old-school K5 Blazer enthusiasts were unhappy with Chevy’s focus on the open road; nevertheless, it’s important to note that the most popular prior Blazer was the somewhat pedestrian late 1990s model. The Chevy Blazer was completely redesigned as a sporty, family-friendly crossover with Camaro influences. The new model, which fills a small two-row gap between midsize three-row vehicles like the Traverse and midsize SUVs the size of the Equinox, is considerably more sophisticated but still quite family-oriented. Next year, we will see the release of an electric Blazer, but it will have a completely new look.

Chevy revised the exterior style of the new Blazer and added some new inside components for 2023, four years after its debut. Each model receives additional features for ’23, including a standard 10-inch infotainment screen, greater availability of wireless charging, and adaptive cruise control, after the range was reduced to four trims last year: 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. The 3.6-litre V6 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, as well as the nine-speed automatic gearbox, remain unchanged. All-wheel drive (AWD) is an optional $2,700–$2,900 upgrade from the base front-wheel drive.

The Blazer, which is 191.9 inches long, competes against various formidable opponents at the lesser end of the medium range. Similar interior capacity is provided by the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento but with a slightly lower overall footprint and higher fuel efficiency. The size and scope of the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are comparable. The others offer more excellent luggage space, but the Chevy is a superior driver with the V6. However, when the top grades of the Blazer are fully loaded, it competes with larger V6 three-row vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride.

The Blazer performs well on pavement despite not being an off-road adventurer like its former (just reborn) adversary, the Ford Bronco. The 228-horsepower four-cylinder version is mild-mannered and isn’t a BMW X5 M. However, the “Camaro Crossover” concept is supported by handling prowess that other competitors lack, especially on the RS level. Contrary to what you may anticipate, the steering is quite confident while cornering. Despite having firm damping, it provides a comfortable ride. It’s enjoyable to drive, and the V6 has the power to match its svelte appearance.

The Blazer’s interior can’t quite match the exterior’s visual power. Still, the cockpit-like dash and enormous air vents serving as temperature controls are apparent signs of Camaro’s influence. In contrast to the actual Camaro, the Blazer’s interior is spacious and open, and the rear seat is enormous. Although NBA point guards won’t feel crowded, Hyundai and Kia provide more significant space in this fiercely competitive market. The Blazer’s stylish appearance significantly reduces cargo room, at least in numerical terms, if not in practical useable space.

The Chevy infotainment system is simple to operate, and the more prominent 10-inch screen significantly improved over the previous 8-inch display. Although cruise control and enhanced automated emergency braking are optional extras, Blazers also have many amanyfety measures. The Blazer may become rather pricey when all the (many) options are added up, but at lesser trims, it’s not a terrible deal. There is lots of space, and the V6 provides plenty of driving enjoyment. It’s worth considering for buyers of midsize SUVs who don’t want a third row and desire passably enjoyable driving.

What’s New?

• The Blazer’s front end receives a minor cosmetic modification for a somewhat sportier appearance. New taillights with a more recognizable light ribbon pattern and new 18-, 20-, and 21-inch wheel designs are installed in their stead.
• Wireless charging is now available on all trims and is standard on the RS and Premier 2023 Blazers, which all get a new 10-inch infotainment screen as standard equipment.
• A motorized, programmable liftgate is now standard on all other Blazers and available on the basic 2LT trim.
• New exterior hues include Sterling Gray Metallic, Copper Bronze Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat. Nightshift Blue (on RS only) is a recent interior hue.

Performance: Chevrolet Blazer

The Buick Envision and GMC Acadia use the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the Blazer. The Blazer RS has a 3.6-litre V6 engine, which is also available in higher-trim Acadias and the Traverse. A nine-speed automatic gearbox is used with both machines, and the V6 generates 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

The Blazer can hold its own against its immediate rivals on the road with either engine. Unless you spend a lot of money on something like a BMW X5, midsize family SUVs are seldom sports vehicles, but the Chevy handles surprisingly well for a car of size and weight that weighs more than 4,300 pounds. The well-damped suspension and well-weighted steering result in surprisingly enjoyable driving, and it doesn’t seem that heavy on a winding road.

Although the V6 is undoubtedly the most enjoyable and rewarding of the two, the four-cylinder versions hold their own against the 2.0-litre Edge’s 250 horsepower and the four-cylinder Sorento and Santa Fe’s (281 and 277 horsepower). The RS can only be ordered with the V6, while base models may only be ordered with the four. The Blazer is a far more eager performer with the six than the Passport (standard V6) or the Atlas Cross Sport (optional V6).

The Blazer’s behaviour isn’t much altered by AWD, except the RS, which has a twin-clutch rear differential. This aids in distributing torque between the left and right rear wheels for improved traction on slick surfaces and a more precise turn-in when driving erratically.

The AWD system on this SUV is much more advanced than you may imagine, and it does an excellent job of directing power where it is required. Using it off-road would be difficult because it only has 7.4 inches of ground clearance. The Blazer is most suited to paved surfaces but may change with an additional inch, softer springs, and all-terrain tires.

Fuel efficiency: Chevrolet Blazer

The EPA rates the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and primary front-wheel drive at 25 mpg combined (22 cities, 29 highways), while the AWD 2.0 is rated at 24 mpg incorporated (22 cities, 27 motorways). These are better figures than the 23 mpg combined for the four-cylinder Ford Edge and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and just slightly less than the 24 to 26 mpg combined for the four-cylinder Santa Fe and Sorento versions.

The EPA rates V6 front-wheel drive Blazers at 22 mpg combined (19 city, 27 highway), but just 21 mpg combined (19 city, 26 motorway) for AWD V6s. DURING OUR WEEK-LONG TEST, the V6 AWD Blazer achieved 22 mpg in real-world combined driving, slightly above the EPA’s prediction.

The fuel economy of the V6 options is about the same; the V6 Ford Edge and V6 Honda Passport only get 21 mpg combined, while the V6 AWD Atlas Cross Sport gets 20 mpg combined. All of them, however, fall well short of the fuel economy offered by the hybrid vehicles from Hyundai and Kia (up to 34 combined mpg), even though the Santa Fe and Sorento also offer PHEV powertrains as an option.

Driver Assistance & Safety:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Blazer “Good” in all. Still, three of its tests, however, “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings for its headlights and an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH systems prevent it from being named a Top Safety Pick. Meanwhile, it has a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration (NHTSA).

These features—including Teen Driver Assist, which lets you set speed warnings and control the music volume—and lane keeping assistance, automatic high lights, OnStar, and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, are standard. All models come standard with blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, except for the 2LT, which adds to a $1,845 package that includes heated seats, an auto-dimming mirror, and remote start.

This year, adaptive cruise control was meant to be offered on the lesser trims, but as of this writing, it is still only provided as part of upgrades on the 3LT, RS, and Premier.

Comfort and Space

How much space qualifies as “enough”? Even a 6-foot-4 adult may fit comfortably in the rear seat behind a driver of comparable height in the Blazer because of its roomy cabin. Also comfortable are the chairs. However, the Blazer only receives a passing grade in this category since Ford, Hyundai, and Kia have even better alternatives. The front cabin’s legroom and headroom are almost comparable to most rivals at 41 and 39.8 inches, respectively. In this family-oriented class, the difference is in the rear seat.

The Blazer’s back seat offers 38.6 inches of headroom and 39.6 inches of rear legroom. That’s comparable to the Passport and more than plenty, but the Edge provides 40.2 inches of back legroom, compared to 41.7 inches for the Hyundai and Kia, which puts them in the full-size SUV category. Large door apertures on the Chevy make installing and using kid seats simple. Although the Blazer is everything from limiting, the competition is quite fierce.

Infotainment: Chevrolet Blazer

This year’s touchscreen is brand-new and more visually appealing than last year’s outdated 8-inch model. Like previous GM models, the GM interface is simple to use and quick to understand, lacking in elaborate menus and distracting user interface visuals. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included if you don’t like the Chevy system. The LT model has wireless charging as an option, whereas it is standard on the RS and Premier variants.

There are USB-A and USB-C connections on the front and back of the device and an optional Wi-Fi hotspot that requires a data plan beyond the device’s first free trial period. The same may be said for the typical satellite radio configuration. For a live map in the 2LT, you’ll need to depend on CarPlay or Android Auto; onboard navigation is standard in the RS and Premier but optional in the 3LT. The eight-speaker Bose audio system that comes standard on the RS and Premier may also be ordered for the 3LT.

Storage & Cargo Space:

Behind the Blazer’s back seats are 30.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 64.2 with the seats folded down. The luggage room initially seems more significant than this in the real world since the rear seat is relatively close to the back of the car, but the Blazer loses some points because of its sloping roof and substantial rear tire wells. The competition has more, even if these are tiny cargo dimensions.

There are 36.4 cubic feet behind the back seats in the Santa Fe, 38.5 with the third row folded, 39.2 in the Edge, and 41.2 in the Passport. The Santa Fe (72.1 cubic feet), Edge (73.4), Sorento (75.5), and Passport (77.7) all outperform the Blazer when the seats are folded down.

The back receives a little bin in the fold-down armrest and a more oversized pocket in each door, while the Chevrolet falls a touch short on small item storage with a medium-sized cubby in front of the gearshift lever and two small pockets in each entry. The Blazer’s maximum towing capacity with the V6 is 4,500 pounds, but with the four, it is just 3,500. The Santa Fe, Edge, and Sorento can barely carry 3,500, whereas most midsize crossover SUVs can tow 5,000 pounds.

Design: Chevrolet Blazer

When this car was new, it seemed strange to make a family SUV appear like a Camaro rather than a retro K5 Blazer from the 1970s, but the results are lovely. The Blazer wears GM’s contemporary design language with muscular fenders, an aggressive front, and a low-slung roof with a steeply rising C-pillar. It has a decent appearance is undoubtedly more interesting than the outdated, nondescript Ford Edge or the short, practical Honda Passport.

The improvements to 2023 only enhance its attractive aesthetics, and the new wheel styles are an upgrade. Be careful, however; choosing 20- and 21-inch rims to seem badass implies, over time, paying more on new tires.

Although it borrows certain aesthetic elements from the Camaro, the inside is far more comfortable than the cramped interior of that vehicle. Despite the simple design and the large circular vents in the middle stack serving as temperature controls, everything is within easy reach and organized rationally. But there’s a sea of grey plastic, most of it looking cheap, much like the Camaro. The Passport isn’t much better, but the interiors of Hyundai and Kia are more pleasant.

The Chevrolet Blazer 2023: Is It Worth It?

With a $1,395 delivery fee, the Blazer begins at $36,495 for the 2LT. We’d choose the next rung up, the $40,696 3LT, since that attractive 2LT variant only has a four-cylinder engine and prevents customers from customizing some of the SUV’s more desired extras.

It’s simple to choose the V6 since it costs $500 more but offers much more driving enjoyment. Thus, the actual starting price is $41,195. We’d also spend the extra money for the $2,495 Sound & Technology option, which adds many desired features like improved automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, the Bose premium sound system, GPS, wireless charging, and surround-view cameras. The Blazer is now priced similarly to all of its competitors.

While the AWD system is pretty fantastic, it’s only essential if you’re in an area where you’ll get any usage. AWD adds $2,700 to $2,900, depending on the model.

The V6 and part of the Sound & Technology package gear are standard on the RS ($44,195), and if you choose AWD, you’ll also receive the improved rear differential. The RS, however, competes with pricier and bigger cars like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, as well as more off-road-oriented adventures like the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco as well as the entry-level Jeep Grand Cherokee at a starting price of $47,095. The Premier, which starts at the same price but includes the 2.0, is the same way. From $47.595, the V6 Blazer Premier is available.

How Much Does the Chevrolet Blazer Cost to Insure?

The cost of insurance for a 2023 Chevrolet Blazer is reasonable. The most expensive model for insurance is the Blazer RS, which costs an average of $2,130 per year for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record (the 3LT is just $1,966). However, this average covers all 50 states. Comparatively, the Hyundai Santa Fe costs $1,949, the Ford Edge Titanium $1,995, and the Honda Passport Trailsport $1,839 each.

Chevrolet Blazer Generations

Fifth Generation
2019 to Present

Affixing the Blazer moniker to the new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer came from Chevrolet about 15 years after it had vanished into oblivion. In contrast to the first Blazer, the current model downplays its off-road capabilities and positions itself as a fast “crossover Camaro” for families who want to pair their large SUV with some driving enjoyment. With 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V6 engines available, Chevrolet’s 2018 Blazer lives up to its reputation as one of the best-driving midsize family SUVs on the road. However, due to the growing popularity of off-roading, Ford’s off-road Bronco, a longtime rival that returned to the market in 2020 after an even more extended hiatus, has essentially eclipsed the reborn Blazer. Chevrolet updated the Blazer’s interior and exterior for 2023.

Fourth Generation
1995 to 2005

The S-10 Blazer, which was smaller, deleted the “S-10” designation and adopted the Blazer’s moniker. In 1999, Chevrolet introduced the Trailblazer trim package; because of its success, the four-door Blazer was dubbed the Trailblazer for the 2002 makeover. Typical of GM, the Trailblazer was offered alongside the Blazer for three years from the 1990s. The most widely used version of the nameplate was the fourth-generation Blazer, which was popular with families but wasn’t as much of an off-roader as the previous three versions.

Third Generation
1991 to 1994

Based on the late 1980s GMT400 pickup truck concepts, later renamed Silverado, a fully revamped Blazer emerged in 1991. The full-size Blazer received a four-door model and a name change to Tahoe in 1995. The two-door Tahoe was quickly discontinued due to poor sales, while the four-door Tahoe promptly became Chevrolet’s most well-liked full-size SUV.

Second Generation
1973 to 1991

The goal of the first-generation Blazer to provide rugged, detachable roof utility in a full-size truck-based chassis was carried over into the second-generation Blazer. The design was evolvable and resembled Chevrolet’s half-ton trucks. In 1976, the removable top was replaced with a permanent roof over the front passengers and a detachable rear cap. There was a substantial makeover for the 1981 model year, and the fascia had another revision in 1989. In 1983, the tiny S-10 Blazer, based on the S-10 pickup truck, was introduced. It coexisted with the full-size Blazer until 1992.

First Generation
1969 to 1972

The Ford Bronco, or more specifically, the Ford Bronco’s success, serves as the backdrop for the Chevy Blazer tale. Chevrolet created the K5 Blazer for the 1969 model year to capitalize on the newly emerging—though still small—segment. The Blazer was more significant than the Bronco, Jeep CJ-5, and International Scout, its main rivals. The Blazer was a condensed version of Chevrolet’s Suburban based on the half-ton truck. The only body type offered was a hardtop that could be removed. In 1970, the Jimmy, produced by GMC, Chevrolet’s brother within the GM corporation, debuted its variant. The Blazer swiftly established itself as the market leader in the off-road niche. Dodge’s Ramcharger and Ford’s revised 1978 Bronco immediately copied it due to its softer design and focused more on on-road drivers than off-roaders.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Blazer has much to offer family SUV shoppers, including a sharp appearance, enjoyable driving characteristics, and enough space for five full-size people. The motor options are four-cylinder or V6, which provide enough punch to match the style. There is also lots of small-item storage, and the interface and processes are user-friendly and straightforward to understand. The Blazer’s cabin isn’t as opulent as its competitors, but it is a primarily on-road car. The value offer improved significantly with additional features and a revised style in 2023, but fuel economy and cargo space are behind the competition.