Automotive

Chevrolet brings back the Blazer as a Camaro-styled crossover

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The Blazer last saw showrooms in 2005, where the SUV had built a reputation for being robust, off-road capable, and family-sized
Chevrolet
The Blazer will fit between the compact Equinox and the larger three-row Traverse
Chevrolet
The Blazer last saw showrooms in 2005, where the SUV had built a reputation for being robust, off-road capable, and family-sized
Chevrolet
The Blazer features looks akin to the Camaro sports coupe and engines pulled from across the Chevy lineup
Chevrolet
“The Blazer has attitude,” said John Cafaro, executive director, Global Chevrolet Design
Chevrolet
The interior of the RS model will feature trim aimed towards a more sporty audience
Chevrolet
Chevrolet plans to include a host of active safety systems in the Blazer, but did not elaborate on these
Chevrolet
The Blazer will introduce the new cargo management system Chevrolet plans to roll out across its crossover lineup
Chevrolet
The tail lamps on the 2019 Blazer  are much like the distinctive lamps seen on the Camaro
Chevrolet
The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS model features blackout trim and emphasis on the narrow headlamps
Chevrolet
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Chevrolet has introduced the 2019 Blazer, marking the model's comeback after over a decade of absence. The Blazer will no longer be a body-on-frame SUV, but will instead be a midsize crossover with looks taken from the Camaro and structure from the GMC Acadia.

The Blazer was last seen in showrooms in 2005, where the SUV had built a reputation for being robust, off-road capable, and family-sized. The march of the unibody-designed crossover, however, had meant that sales of the old-school Blazer were flagging. The car-like crossover-SUV designs that have since largely replaced truck-based sport utilities offer more efficiency, better driving characteristics, and more interior space.

The Blazer features looks akin to the Camaro sports coupe and engines pulled from across the Chevy lineup
Chevrolet

The re-introduced 2019 Chevrolet Blazer joins other former SUVs in the crossover realm. The Blazer will fit between the compact Equinox and the larger three-row Traverse. The Blazer features looks akin to the Camaro sports coupe and engines pulled from across the Chevy lineup.

"The Blazer has attitude," said John Cafaro, executive director, Global Chevrolet Design. "It looks commanding on the road, while fulfilling the promise of versatility at the heart of every Chevy crossover and SUV."

The front fascia is particularly strong in its statement, with a sharp nose, thin LED headlamps, and a wide grille and intake. The high ride stance of the Blazer is offset by the relatively narrow wheel well gaps. An upward-curving beltline creates a more pronounced and sporty slope for the roofline above, while hinting at the Camaro's thick rear pillar. Wheels are pushed to the corners, especially at the rear, promising good handling and muscular performance.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS model features blackout trim and emphasis on the narrow headlamps
Chevrolet

Both a four- and a six-cylinder engine will be offered in the 2019 Chevy Blazer. The standard four will be a 2.5-liter inline that produces 193 horsepower (143 kW) and 188 pound-feet (255 Nm) of torque. Engine stop-start and a nine-speed automatic transmission are also standard. The six-cylinder offering is a 3.6 L that produces 305 hp (227 kW) and 269 lb-ft (365 Nm). Stop-start and the nine-speed transmission are also standard.

Blazers will be front-wheel drive by default with all-wheel drive as an option. A special sport-centric RS model will feature blackout trim and will share a twin-clutch AWD system with the Premier model. The twin-clutch allows both optimized traction between axles and a full disconnect for the rear axle when AWD is not needed. The latter setting is driver-selectable.

The 2019 Blazer will be a five-passenger crossover with up to 64.2 cubic feet (1,818 liters) of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The rear seating will be adjustable (slide/tilt). Towing in the V6-powered model will be up to 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg). This will include Chevrolet's "Hitch View" feature on the rearview camera for lining up the trailer hitch to a trailer.

The Blazer will introduce the new cargo management system Chevrolet plans to roll out across its crossover lineup
Chevrolet

Chevrolet plans to include a host of active safety systems in the Blazer. Chevy did not elaborate on these, but the Chevrolet lineup of crossovers includes such things as crash mitigation with emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and so forth. Several other convenience features will also be available in the 2019 Blazer, including the rear camera mirror option found on the Traverse and other models.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer will also introduce GM's new cargo management system, which adds a rail system to the rear cargo area with an adjustable cargo fence and tie-down system. This allows cargo to be separated and secured for less hassle on the road.

Chevrolet has promised more information on the new Blazer before its expected launch in early 2019.

Source: Chevrolet

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3 comments
warmisgood
I think Chevy missed an opportunity with the Blazer name.. they should have used it on something more off-road to compete with the Wrangler and the upcoming Bronco and called this the "metoo" as it looks like pretty much every other "SUV" out there.
P51d007
All SUV's look the same to me. Just another version of the "minivan" craze decades ago. Once auto manufactures dream up something else, the trendy bunch will jump onto that. About the only sport in SUV is if a runaway shopping cart bangs into them.
Daishi
I kind of like the looks but it's a front wheel drive crossover. It's like the Chevy Equinox, it's $23k base but by the time you upgrade it to 2.0L turbo engine with AWD and a trailer hitch you are at $40k which is going to slay your potential resale value when you need to get rid of it later. You tend to take less of a blood bath in resale value when you stick closer to base options so if you need a v6, AWD/4WD, and a tow package look for something that doesn't offer a base model without it. My 2012 4runner still books for $30k and they cost $34k new. If I would have paid almost $40k to get an upgraded Chevy Equinox (V6, AWD, LT etc.) it would only be worth a little over $12,000 today. Thankfully for Chevy not that many people bother to figure out what their resale value is going to be before they go out to buy vehicles. You lose so much in resale upgrading these that it's cheaper to drive luxury brands.