2019 Chevy Blazer Review

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is an all-new vehicle, but the name is probably familiar for most people. It's been around in several different forms before, dating all the way back to the 1960s. In its most iconic form, it was a two-door SUV with a removable top. More recently, Chevy used the Blazer name for a compact SUV based on the S-10 pickup truck. Now for 2019, the Blazer morphs into a crossover SUV that fills a gap in Chevy's lineup between the smaller Equinox and the three-row Traverse.

Similar to the related GMC Acadia, this new Blazer comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 193 horsepower. It's an underwhelming mill for this size of SUV, so we'd go with the optional 3.6-liter V6. It puts out more than 300 horsepower and is capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds. On the inside, the Blazer offers a long list of available equipment such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with some desirable safety features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation.

As a style choice, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is certainly appealing; its Camaro-like styling helps it stand out from the crowd. But given the wealth of great choices for a five-passenger SUV, it will also be worth your time to shop around. Other top picks this year include the Ford Edge, the Honda Passport, the Subaru Outback and the Toyota 4Runner.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is a five-seat SUV that's available in four trim levels: L, Blazer (also called the LT), RS and Premier. The L trim level is the base model, with a decent amount of standard equipment, including a few key tech items. You're more likely to find the next-level Blazer trim on dealer lots, however, and it comes in three subtrims: 2.5L Cloth, 3.6L Cloth and 3.6L Leather. They offer increasing amounts of safety equipment plus the upgraded engine. The RS has a sporty look with some unique exterior details, while the Premier is the most luxurious of the Blazers.

The base L trim level is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (193 horsepower, 188 pound-feet of torque) that's paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Other standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, four USB ports (two front and two rear), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, OnStar with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker stereo.

The Blazer trim level has three different specifications: 2.5L Cloth, 3.6L Cloth and 3.6L Leather. The 2.5L Cloth adds to the base L trim level with a power-adjustable driver's seat, rear privacy glass and a spare tire (instead of a repair kit). As its name suggests, the 3.6L Cloth gets the 3.6-liter V6 engine (305 hp, 269 lb-ft), as well as the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive. The 3.6L Leather adds black roof rails, a power liftgate, remote start, heated power-adjustable mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.

Near the top of the Blazer heap is the RS, which has a sporty look and adds to the 3.6L Leather's equipment with 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out front grille, driver-seat memory settings, dual exhaust tips, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system, an upgraded driver information display, a 120-volt power outlet, and an adjustable cargo management system.

The Premier gets all of the RS' equipment plus some chrome exterior accents, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.

Most of the upper-trim-level equipment can be added to lower trim levels in option packages. Other notable options include a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection.