2020 Chevy Blazer Review

　　

2020 Chevrolet Blazer Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The Blazer name has a storied past within the walls of General Motors. It started as an SUV variant of Chevrolet's full-size trucks, before moving to the smaller S-10 pickup chassis in the early '80s. After being mothballed for a decade and a half, the nameplate was resurrected just last year, but the modern iteration is much different from its forebears. The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer is a midsize crossover better suited for on-road duty than its predecessors, but it loses some magic in the process.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer L 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$160/mo  for Blazer L

　　Blazer L

　　L 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 9A) - $28,800 MSRP1LT 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $32,300 MSRP2LT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $32,800 MSRP2LT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $34,800 MSRP3LT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $37,000 MSRP3LT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $39,000 MSRPRS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $40,600 MSRPRS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $43,500 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $42,700 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $45,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　There's no doubt about it: The modern Chevy Blazer is one of the most distinctive SUVs on the market. Its Camaro-inspired exterior immediately stands out among the long list of boxy, utilitarian competitors. The muscle car aesthetic carries over to the interior, which truly feels like a Camaro expanded to fit a much larger vehicle. If you just want a powerful SUV that looks good, stop reading now and run to your nearest bowtie dealer.

　　If you want a functional interior, however, you might consider something else. The aggressive design that makes the Blazer look so darn good comes at the cost of rear headroom and cargo room. The Blazer also shares one of the Camaro's worst aspects: impaired rear visibility. You'll definitely want to upgrade to at least the 1LT trim with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package to get the blind-spot monitor, which we consider a must-have for the Blazer.

　　Though it doesn't have the off-road prowess of older models, the latest Blazer is more in line with current consumer preferences and offers something unique in a field of bland crossovers. However, it's not as practical as rivals. The Honda Passport — another new SUV with a throwback name — gives up some style but is much more usable everyday. We also like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's not the newest kid on the block, but it too has a distinctive look and is more comfortable for passengers.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Blazer drive? Strong acceleration and crisp handling are two of the Blazer's hallmarks. The V6-powered Blazer we tested sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. That's quick for this type of vehicle and a bit better than the Honda Passport and the Ford Edge with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Blazer is also agile through turns, with well-controlled body roll.

　　It's not all roses, however. Slow and heavy steering — combined with rampant torque steer, an undesirable trait where the steering wheel tugs in your hands when you mash the gas — negates most of the Blazer's sporting pretensions. Optional all-wheel drive is meant more for wet-weather driving than any legitimate off-road use, which is also hampered by the Blazer's lower ride height compared to the Jeep Cherokee or Subaru Outback.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Blazer? For the most part, the Blazer delivers the on-road comfort you expect from a modern SUV. The ride is stable and controlled without being overly harsh. The front seats are well bolstered and remain supportive for long stretches. The rear seats are fairly flat but are set at a comfortable angle and height.

　　The Blazer isn't particularly quiet — the cabin is awash in wind, road and tire noise as you cruise along the highway. You might have to raise your voice to talk with rear passengers. The climate control system takes a while to warm the cabin, and seat heaters are slow to activate.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Slipping in and out of the cabin is easy, but the Blazer's sloping roofline restricts rear headroom for 6-foot-plus passengers. There's also only enough shoulder room to comfortably seat two across in the back. Up front, there's more room and a wide range of steering wheel and seat adjustments to fit drivers of most sizes.

　　Drawbacks continue with placement of the controls. Certain buttons and knobs are cryptically marked and awkwardly arranged. Like the similarly styled Camaro sport coupe, the Blazer's outward visibility is compromised, particularly over your shoulder and to the rear. We recommend getting a Blazer with the available blind-spot monitoring system.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Blazer touchscreen has crisp graphics and an easy-to-use interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is also included, but the native interface is fine in its own right. The available Bose audio system isn't quite "premium," but it's decent. Sound quality is solidly midrange and can't go too loud before distortion sets in.

　　As for the voice commands, they require a fairly rigid syntax, and conversational speech is often met with prompts to repeat. The Blazer's advanced driver aids work well.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Blazer lacks the cargo capacity of most of its competitors. The cargo area measures 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which is far less than competitors such as the Passport or Hyundai Santa Fe. In particular, the Blazer's tall liftover height creates a challenge when loading heavy, bulky loads. That said, its clever cargo rail system is useful for securing items of varying lengths and sizes.

　　There's not much room inside the cabin for your personal effects. The center console is wide and deep, but the door pockets are shallow and narrow.

　　A properly equipped Blazer with all-wheel drive and the V6 engine can tow up to 4,500 pounds, which is an average amount for a midsize crossover SUV.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Over about 1,245 test miles, our front-wheel-drive test Blazer V6 returned 19.5 mpg. That's a bit off from its EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. But on our official mixed-driving evaluation route, the Blazer achieved 21.1 mpg, meeting expectations.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Blazer a good value? With a pleasant but plain interior, smaller cargo capacity than rivals, average driving performance, and class-average pricing, the Blazer offers questionable value relative to other midsize SUVs. It doesn't do anything much better than the others, with the lone exception of crisper cornering — not high on our list of SUV needs.

　　The warranty is respectable, however. Like most rivals, the Blazer enjoys basic coverage for three years/36,000 miles while the powertrain warranty is good for five years/60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is covered during the powertrain warranty period, and unlike many rivals, the Blazer's plan includes one complimentary service visit during the first year of ownership.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Blazer would be more fun if it drove like the Camaro that inspires it. Instead it's a mildly sporty SUV that's more playful in turns than most of its competitors. Strip away the big front grille and the bold exterior styling, and the Blazer is an average midsize SUV. But that styling counts for something, especially in a class prone to anonymity.

　　

Which Blazer does zzdcar recommend?

Most dealers don't stock the L model at all, and the 1LT costs thousands more for very few added features. On the surface, the 2LT doesn't seem much better, but the turbocharged engine is a worthy upgrade from the gutless 2.5-liter motor. We also recommend the Convenience and Driver Confidence package, which adds almost all of the 3LT's features (including the much-needed blind-spot monitor) minus the leather upholstery.

　　

2020 Chevrolet Blazer models

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer is a five-seat midsize SUV available in four trim levels: L, LT, RS and Premier. The L trim level is the base model, equipped with a decent amount of standard equipment, including a few key tech items. But you're more likely to find the next-level Blazer trim on dealer lots, and it comes in three subtrims: 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. They offer increasing amounts of safety equipment plus upgraded engines. The RS has a sporty look with some unique exterior details, while the Premier is the most luxurious of the Blazers.

　　The L and 1LT are both driven by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (193 horsepower, 188 lb-ft of torque). Stepping up to the 2LT and 3LT adds a powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (230 hp, 258 lb-ft). Optional for the 2LT and 3LT, and standard on the RS and Premier, is a 3.6-liter V6 (308 hp, 270 lb-ft). A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available in conjunction with either of the upgraded engines.

　　Standard equipment on the L trim includes 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, an 8-inch touchscreen, two USB and two USB-C ports (one of each in the front and rear), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar capability with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker stereo.

　　The 1LT adds to the base L trim level with a power-adjustable driver's seat, tinted glass, satellite radio and a spare tire (instead of a repair kit). The 2LT simply includes the 2.0-liter engine, as well as the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive. The 3LT adds black roof rails, a power liftgate, remote engine start, auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.

　　Near the top of the Blazer heap is the RS, which has a sporty look and further adds 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out front grille, dual exhaust tips, a hands-free liftgate, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system, ambient lighting, another set of USB and USB-C ports, an upgraded driver information display, a household-style power outlet and an adjustable cargo management system.

　　The Premier gets all of the RS version's equipment plus some chrome exterior accents, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, faux suede cabin trim, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.

　　Most of the upper-trim-level equipment is optional at lower trim levels in packages. Other notable options include a 360-degree parking camera, a wireless charging pad, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and mitigation, and forward collision alert with automatic braking and pedestrian detection. Also available is the Safety Alert Seat — a driver's seat that works in conjunction with other safety systems by buzzing to alert you to dangers.

　　

2020 Blazer Highlights

Trim: L1LT2LT3LTRSPremierL

　　

Base MSRP	$28,800
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles