Workers at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico have been busy on the assembly lines despite the car giant’s decision to stop production of the Chevy Cruz. Why? The factory will take over production of Chevy’s newly released model of the Blazer.
Chevy’s recent decision to redesign the 4×4 powerhouse has had some loyal Chevy fans wanting to know more.
So if you are ready to get rid of that old SUV or trade in that lemon, here’s what you can expect when the Blazer hits the car lots.
It’s no longer the off-road vehicle.
Many 4-wheel drive enthusiasts were thrilled to hear GM’s announcement that the Blazer would be rereleased. They thought this was Chevy’s answer to compete with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford’s soon to be released Bronco.
But when Chevy unveiled the redesigned Blazer, it wasn’t the 4-wheel drive enthusiasts that were thrilled. It was soccer and hockey moms who were jumping for joy. The 2019 Blazer will not mirror the old style, rugged, full size 4×4 car shoppers are used to seeing. Instead, Chevy redesigned the Blazer to look like a midsized SUV. That’s right, the Blazer has transformed into a family vehicle.
It’s a cross over.
The new Blazer is no longer a body on a truck chassis. It’s entered the land of the unibody.
The redesigned Blazer sits on the same frame the GMC Acadia, the Cadillac XT5 and XT6. It’s Chevy’s answer for a go between the larger Traverse and the compact Equinox.
And, it’s Chevy’s first attempt at producing a midsize crossover to compete with Ford’s Edge and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee.
Like its competitors, the Blazer seats five and offers the storage space to make it the ideal family vehicle. And it comes in a few different models. And, one of the biggest perks with Chevy’s new crossover is that it has an above average fuel economy.
So, you might pay a little extra for this state-of-the-art vehicle, but you will save significantly in fuel costs.
Here’s a glance at the difference between the base model and the premium model.
The base Model
- aspirated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder
- 193 horsepower
- 188 pound-feet of torque
- nine-speed automatic transmission
- EPA ratings are 22 miles per gallon city/27 highway/24 combined
The Premium Model
- 3.6-liter V-6
- 308 horsepower
- 270 pound-feet of torque
- a nine-speed automatic transmission
- EPA for front wheel drive 20 city/26 highway/22 combined
- 18 city /25 highway/21 combine (AWD).
Design Features
The Blazer’s look and feel are much sportier than its crossover cousins. The Blazer’s design is inspired by Chevy’s Camaro. It has a similar swooping front end, bold fenders, and angled tail lights.
The Camaro influence does not stop at the exterior either. From the base model up through the top of line Blazer, the interior cockpit bears much Camaro influence. The multimedia screen and the round vents are the same in Blazer as they are in the Camaro.
And, for significant time Chevy enthusiasts, you’ll be happy to know that the Blazer will come equipped with the adjustable shoulder belt that was removed from all of Chevy’s other vehicles.
Safety Features
Safety is always a concern for Chevy, and the Blazer is no exception to the brand’s safety standards. New Blazers come equipped with the following:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Stability control
- Front-impact airbags
- Side-impact airbags
- Overhead airbags
- Knee airbags
- Pretensioners
But Chevy didn’t stop with the standard safety equipment. The safety team outdid itself with optional safety features. Buyers can choose from a long list of selections including:
- forward collision warning
- automatic emergency braking
- pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking
- following distance indicator
- lane keep assist
- lane departure warning
- adaptive cruise control
- rear camera mirror
- automatic high beams
- a safety alert seat
- blind spot monitoring
- rear cross traffic alert
- a surround-view parking camera system
- rear parking sensors
And it has an excellent safety feature for parents. It has a seat reminder for the rear seats. This feature prompts parents to check the back seat before exiting the vehicle.
The Cost
If you are interested in purchasing a new Blazer, the base cost comes in around $28,000 and the fully loaded, top-of-the-line premium model maxes out around $54,000.
If you are looking for an AWD option, you need to step into the V6 model, and you can expect to pay around $37,500.
Regardless of what model of Blazer you choose, the vehicle comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty along with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The price range, along with the many different options available on the Blazer, puts the new Chevy right in the ball game with its competition, Ford, Nissan, Jeep, and Hyundai.
Conclusion
Initially released in 1969, the Chevy Blazer has transformed from the K5 removable top Blazer to the Tahoes and Trailblazers of the past decade. Now, GM is taking its iconic SUV and spinning it into a crossover.
Times change, roads change, and technology changes to help every industry provide newer models of what got them started. GM is no exception. You can look for the new Blazer to hit the car lots this year. And, when you do, you can expect a line of hockey moms, kids in toe, waiting for its safety, room, and stylish design.
