While its name brings back lots of memories, the Mexican-made 2019 Blazer is as modern as Chevrolet SUVs get.
The modern Blazer rocks a sporty, Camaro-inspired exterior instead of a rugged body such as the K5 Blazer adventure truck from the 1970s and 1980s. That’s because the Blazer is now a road-focused mid-size crossover that targets families and drivers with active lifestyles. While its truck-based predecessors took pride in their off-roading abilities, the 2019 Blazer places emphasis on comfort, practicality, and connectivity.
It’s also sportier than any other Blazer before, including the last one that went out of production in 2005. That doesn’t mean it’s a performance SUV, despite the fact that it comes with an available 305hp 3.6-liter V6 in addition to the standard 193hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
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Edmunds’ Dan Frio got behind the wheel of the new Blazer to find out how Chevrolet has reinvented the nameplate. He drove a V6 model and noted that the engine is smooth and produces plenty of power. He also says handling is good for a midsize SUV, although that doesn’t qualify it as a sports SUV.
As for comfort, the 2019 Blazer sports wide seats with good lumbar support but not very pronounced side bolsters — which could be either good or bad, depending on your preferences. Ride quality is good but not perfect; the suspension filters road irregularities well but becomes bouncy on rougher surfaces.
Inside, the new Blazer is a convincing proposition thanks to the roomy cabin, big cargo capacity, and slick infotainment system that offers crisp graphics. Are these qualities enough to make it a worthy opponent for the likes of the all-new 2019 Honda Passport and Hyundai Santa Fe? Only time (and sales figures) will tell.