2019 Chevrolet blazer exterior dimensions
GENERAL MOTORS has revived the decades-old Blazer name and attached it to a new SUV that slots between the automaker’s compact Equinox and three-row Traverse. We recently bought our own to test it out and see whether this new Blazer for a new era can carry the torch of its fondly remembered predecessors.
It’s a tough and growing segment: The Blazer joins the new Honda Passport and redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe in the fight against the revamped Ford Edge and Nissan Murano, all two-row midsized SUVs.
We appreciate that the Blazer has a firm, controlled ride, and a quiet cabin.
Its handling is competent overall; it isn’t as agile as the Ford Edge but is better than the Nissan Murano, its two top competitors. The nine-speed transmission works well, complementing the engine’s smooth power delivery.
Unlike SUVs that wore the nameplate in the past, today’s Blazer has a more modern focus on styling, tech, and convenience features than ruggedness.
Inside, there are a number of premium touches, including a padded dashboard and handsome stitching. Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touch screen, with GM’s most recent, easy-to-use infotainment system.
In addition, the Blazer sports buttons and knobs for common functions, which we found to be useful. It’s also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it comes with lots of shortcuts that drivers can use through controls mounted on the steering wheel.
Other high-tech touches include a rearview mirror that can display a live video feed from a rear-mounted camera for a wider angle than isn’t blocked by the rear headrests.
Drivers who don’t care for that can easily revert the mirror to its conventional approach if they find it too distracting.
The front seats offer decent comfort and support. A flat floor maximizes legroom in the rear, although it’s not as roomy as the Ford Edge. The cargo area offers plenty of space to haul lots of stuff.
The Blazer has an eye-catching exterior styling that’s reminiscent of the current Chevrolet
Camaro. However, its sharply sloping roofline has a big impact on rear visibility. This makes the optional surround-view camera a welcome addition.
Most of the controls are straightforward, but the climate system’s tiny, dimly lit buttons are under a ledge in the center stack. From some seating positions, they’re difficult to see or operate.
The system’s large, round air vents (which are also similar to the ones in the Camaro) also serve as rotary them-perature adjustments, which takes a little getting used to at first.
In the Camaro we found that those low-mounted vents did a better job cooling our elbows and knees; we’ll see how well they work here.
Important safety features such as forward-collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are available only on higher Premier and RS trimmed Blazers—and even then they are still only optional. We’d prefer them as standard equipment at all levels.
WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON ...
At first glance, the Blazer seems nicely equipped. Our V6 Leather model came outfitted with premium audio, remote start, blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear cross-traffic warning.
However, it conspicuously lacks FCW and AEB — two safety features that we believe are important. Other significant omissions on our $43,000 Blazer include a sunroof and an auto-up feature on all windows, both of which are commonly found on similarly priced competitors.
We will also perform our own fuel-economy tests to see how close the Blazer gets to its combined rating of 21 mpg
from the EPA.
Model 2019 Chevrolet Blazer Leather Price$43,290
Engine 305-hp, 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Transmission
9-speed auto Drive Wheels All
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