2021 Chevy Blazer Review

　　

2021 Chevrolet Blazer Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer sets itself apart from the rest of the midsize SUV crowd with distinctive and muscular styling. Essentially, Chevy took what could otherwise be a ho-hum family hauler and gave it an extreme makeover using clothes from the Camaro's closet.  The accessorizing continues on the inside where you'll find a dashboard that has some Camaro-like design cues.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) - $32,600 MSRP2LT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $33,400 MSRP2LT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $35,400 MSRP3LT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $37,600 MSRP3LT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $39,600 MSRPRS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $41,100 MSRPRS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $44,000 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $42,700 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $44,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Pleasingly, there's some substance behind the Blazer's looks. It has agile handling for an SUV, and its optional V6 engine provides robust acceleration. We also like that it comes with Chevy's newest infotainment system, which is responsive and easy to use.

　　What we're not so fond of are the compromises made by that sporty styling. Rear-seat headroom is limited and cargo capacity suffers as well. Other five-passenger midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport are significantly more practical and don't give up much in terms of outright performance to the Blazer.

　　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?

The cost of a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer can escalate quickly. As such, we recommend that you stick with the 2LT trim level. This choice ensures you get the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as well as the new Chevy Safety Assist package, which bundles popular driver aids such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. To this, we'd add the Convenience and Driver Confidence package, which adds nice-to-have features such as heated seats, a programmable power liftgate, auto-dimming side mirrors and rear cross-traffic alert.

　　

2021 Chevrolet Blazer models

The Blazer is a five-passenger SUV available in six trim levels: L, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS and Premier. Three engines are available: two four-cylinders (one turbocharged) and a V6. All are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on the 2LT, 3LT, RS and Premier trims. The Blazer's significant features include:

　　L

　　The basic L is usually reserved for fleet sales but includes:

　　193-horsepower four-cylinder engine 18-inch wheels Six-speaker audio system Four USB ports 8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Cruise control1LT

　　Adds just a few features, such as:

　　Satellite radio Power-adjustable driver's seat Tinted rear windows2LT

　　Provides a step up from the 1LT with:

　　230-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)3LT

　　Tops out the LT range with:

　　Leather upholstery Power-adjustable heated front seats Heated outside mirrors Power liftgate Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)RS

　　Adds additional features and a sporty appearance with:

　　308-hp V6 engine Unique 20-inch black-painted wheels Special black grille and black exterior trim Programmable power liftgate Upgraded touchscreen infotainment with navigation 120-volt power port Heated steering wheelPremier

　　Tops out the Blazer with:

　　Upgraded eight-speaker audio system Different 20-inch wheels Cargo management system Driver-seat memory settings Heated outboard rear seats Ventilated front seats Power-adjustable steering column Unique chrome grille and silver exterior trimMany features from the higher trim levels can be added to the lower trims via various equipment packages. Other significant packages include:

　　Sound and Technology package

　　Available on the 3LT, it includes:

　　8-inch touchscreen with navigation Upgraded eight-speaker audio system Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Blazer and its surroundings for tight parking situations) 120-volt power outletEnhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II package

　　Available on the RS, it includes:

　　Heated outboard rear seats Upgraded eight-speaker audio system Driver-seat memory settings Ventilated front seats Power-adjustable steering columnDriver Confidence II package

　　Adds extra content to the RS and Premier trims with:

　　Wireless device charging Surround-view camera system Rear camera mirror LED headlights Rear-seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Enhanced automatic emergency braking (works at higher speeds than the standard automatic emergency braking system)

　　

2021 Blazer Highlights

Trim: L1LT2LT3LTRSPremierL

　　

Base MSRP	$28,800
Engine Type	Gas
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