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Chevrolet brings back the iconic Blazer this year. Those hoping to see it revived as a rugged off-roader – in the spirit of the machine that earned a devout good ol’ boy following in the 70s – might be disappointed in its newest iteration. Instead of making fans want to crack out trucker hats and crack open a PBR in celebration, we have a five-seat crossover; a Blazer in name only. But the branding bait-and-switch can largely be forgiven because the new Blazer is still a solid performer and a good-looking ride that successfully butches up a category known mostly for its softer edges.
The Good: Its looks are sharp, with interesting creasing on the sides and hood, a frankly pretty badass grill with the narrowest of headlights, and a fascinating, complex D-pillar and rear roofline area. It combines upward-swinging sheet metal that cuts into the side glass with black trim that joins up with the rear window, making the roof appear to float above the rest of the body. This is a current trend in crossovers, and it’s executed exceptionally well here. Its ride is comfortable yet firm, and its two engines – an inline-four and a V6 – are both plenty responsive.
Who It’s For: Crossovers are king and for pretty good reason. Though assailed by enthusiasts and purists on a variety of fronts – and largely assumed to be carmaker manipulation at its worst – the truth is that they’re today’s consummate family wagon, and they’re what people want. They’re taller and roomier than sedans but absent the freight-train physique of full-sized SUVs. So the Blazer is for you if you want a piece of the middle ground, but also want some character and edge, which the Blazer has in abundance.
Watch Out For: There’s one interior quirk that I find baffling in the extreme. Defying all logic, the Blazer’s stability-control button – which, of course, turns this critical safety system off – is positioned directly in front of the passenger seat. Indeed, it’s so far to the right of the dashboard’s array of controls that it’s the closest thing that a passenger could even touch – even closer than the climate controls, volume knob or center display buttons. Not only that, but of the two buttons paired together on that little island, it’s to the right of the glove box button. At the very least, they really should be reversed, but even then the button’s placement opens up endless possibilities, from accidental disabling by people trying to get into the glove box to hilarious (if deadly) pranks by mischievous passengers. Not ideal.
