Used 2019 Chevrolet Blazer

The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is a smartly packaged, 5-passenger midsize SUV constructed on the same platform that underpins the Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia. Ignoring the off-road heritage of its forebears, this reborn Blazer has been crafted for on-road competence in a bid to topple 2-row SUV competitors like the Nissan Murano, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport.

Countering its competitors’ strengths, the Blazer charms with daring style, satisfying road manners, and a generous standard-equipment list. Its name might recall the past, but the 2019 Chevy Blazer is properly suited for the needs of modern SUV buyers.

In motion the Chevy Blazer absorbs bumps without undue harshness and steers with enthusiasm, experiencing minimal body roll in corners. The top-tier Blazer RS adds a quicker steering ratio and sportier suspension tuning to the mix, enabling swifter steering reactions and a firmer but still perfectly acceptable ride.

The optional V6 engine delivers eager acceleration and a max tow rating of 4,500 pounds but for frugality-focused buyers the base 4-cylinder is the cheaper, more-efficient choice. We did notice a surging tendency when applying light throttle, making it hard to drive smoothly at parking-lot speeds. Otherwise the 4-cylinder is a perfectly adequate tool for propulsion, aided by a 9-speed automatic transmission that extracts maximum accelerating or fuel economy from either engine’s output.

For customizing steering, accelerator and transmission behavior, the 2019 Blazer has a drive mode selector with Sport, Tow and Off-road modes. In all modes, drivers enjoy a hushed cabin, confident brakes and a nearly unimpeded view outward.

From the driver seat an uncluttered instrument panel places important controls and the standard 8-inch touch screen within easy reach. Elsewhere, the Blazer’s primary touch-points are soft, cool Camaro-inspired center vents rotate to adjust temperature, and storage spots abound including a passenger-side map slot, seatback pockets, door nooks and a glove box with an electronic release.

Rear-seat passengers enjoy ample space, standard air-conditioning vents and seats that conveniently slide and recline. The Blazer’s 30.5-cubic-foot cargo hold is smaller than the Ford Edge’s but roomy enough for most needs. For larger loads, convenient cargo-area releases drop the seats, creating a flat load floor.

Contrasting rugged Blazers of the past, the 2019 model blazes its own design path. For starters, it has four doors where older versions had two. At its nose the new Blazer features thin, sharply drawn “headlights” that aren’t headlights at all but rather LED running lights. The actual headlights sit midway down the fascia.

Blacked-out A- and C-pillars conspire with striking body lines to create a tasty aesthetic for all Blazer variants. However, moving up to the Premier trim dresses up the package with chrome accents and 20-inch wheels. Reserved for the Blazer RS are sporty 20-inch wheels, dark exterior accents and revised exhaust outlets.

8-INCH INFOTAINMENT SCREEN
The Blazer’s standard infotainment interface is a vivid 8-inch touch screen featuring clear icons, a logical interface, and standard smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

360-DEGREE CAMERA SYSTEM
If you lack confidence when parking, Chevy’s optional 360-degree camera system can help. Using an array of cameras, this system stitches together a multitude of virtual views revealing hidden hazards around the car. Whether parking or hooking up a trailer, this is a must-have feature.

The least expensive Blazer L trim features all the essentials and then some. Standout features include dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless access with push-button start, cloth seats, an 8-inch infotainment screen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Another welcome feature on the standard-equipment list is Teen Driver, a feature that lets parents remotely monitor and manage their child’s behavior behind the wheel.

Explore higher trims and the option sheet and you can outfit your new Blazer with heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free power liftgate, blind-spot warning, up to six USB ports, and an exceptionally helpful 360-degree camera system. Advanced driver assists like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking are available at added cost, though it should be noted that many newer vehicles, including the Honda Passport, offer these features as standard equipment.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer offers two engines, each paired with a competent 9-speed automatic transmission. The base engine for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Blazer is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder while a spunky 3.6-liter V6 propels high-end RS and Premier trims and can be added to the mid-level “Blazer” trim for $1,000. Both engines run on regular unleaded gasoline and feature a fuel-saving engine start/stop system that, unlike competitive systems, cannot be deactivated.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is offered only with the V6 and comes in two forms: a basic system or, exclusive to the RS and Premier trims, GM’s twin-clutch all-wheel drive, which can direct power to the outside rear wheel for more agile cornering. Both AWD systems include a mode that disconnects the rear-wheel driveline when not needed for added efficiency.

2.5-liter inline-4
193 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
188 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/27 mpg (FWD)

3.6-liter V6
308 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (FWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD)