NEW CHEVROLET BLAZER
Examine your next new CHEVROLET BLAZER at http://www.usednewcars.com! Click here to get a list of all vehicles that fall within the suv category.
Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
 |
| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
 |
Average Rating |
| Overall |
6.57 |
 |
| Vehicle Styling |
7.46 |
|
| Braking |
7.55 |
|
| Handling |
6.59 |
|
| Fuel Economy |
6 |
|
| Interior Comfort |
7.04 |
|
| Acceleration |
7.98 |
|
| Dependability |
6.52 |
|
| Fit and Finish |
6.39 |
|
| Transmission |
7.27 |
|
| Ride |
6.89 |
|
| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
|
| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Although it does offer a strong running V6, the Blazer is otherwise outclassed by nearly every other sport-ute on the market. An option only if the low price is too hard for you to overlook.
Pros
Wide range of features and options, competent drivetrain, cheap price.
Cons
Aged platform, spotty build quality, low-grade interior parts, uncomfortable rear seats, poor resale value.
What''s New for 2004
A deluxe overhead console and the AutoTrac four-wheel-drive system can now be ordered as stand-alone options on any Blazer. The Xtreme model gets revised wheels.
Overview
Introduction:
If you''re a bit confused as to how there are two completely different Chevrolet sport-utilities with virtually the same name, allow us to explain. The Blazer was the original midsize sport-ute. Debuting way back in 1982, it was the vehicle that changed sport-utes from hunting and fishing companions into mainstream family vehicles. As the years went by, the Blazer was rehashed and reworked numerous times in a vain attempt to keep up with its growing number of competitors. In 1991, there were two Blazers -- a full-size based on the C/K line of GM pickups, and a compact version based on the S-10 pickup known as the S-10 Blazer. By 1995, the Blazer name had fully migrated from full-size to midsize SUV as the former S-10 Blazer became simply Blazer (a far cry from the original V8-powered C/K-based Blazer with a removable top) and the vehicle that was the full-size Blazer became the Tahoe. By the late ''90s, it was clear that if Chevrolet was going to be competitive once again, it was going to have to come to market with a bigger, more powerful midsize utility vehicle. In late 2001, the TrailBlazer was introduced as a 2002 model (not to be confused with the TrailBlazer trim already available as an option on the existing Blazer) to much acclaim as it once again put Chevrolet on the sport-utility map. This was great for Chevrolet, but not so good for buyers who were looking for an affordable sport-ute that still had plenty of features and power. So instead of immediately killing off the Blazer, Chevrolet decided to keep it around for awhile and position it as a smaller, lower-cost alternative to the TrailBlazer. Make no mistake; this is an aged truck with little going for it. If you really want a two-door SUV, the Blazer might be worth a look. Otherwise, we recommend giving it a wide berth.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Blazer is offered in base LS trim with either two- and four-doors as well as in Xtreme or ZR2 trim with two doors only. LS models offer either two- or four-wheel drive and come standard with air conditioning, full carpeting and an AM/FM CD stereo. The Xtreme trim comes in two-wheel drive only and adds an exterior appearance package and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as an option. The ZR2 off-road package adds a wide stance frame, stronger gears and axles, heavy-duty shocks and springs, skid plates, a brush guard, tubular side steps and heavy-duty floor mats.
Powertrains and Performance:
All Blazers come standard with a 4.3-liter V6 engine rated at 190 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Four-door Blazers come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission, while two-door models come with a five-speed manual, with the four-speed an available option. The Blazer is rated to tow up to a maximum of 5,700 pounds (two-door 2WD models). All 4x4 models can be equipped with the AutoTrac push-button electronic transfer case.
Safety:
All Blazers feature four-wheel antilock disc brakes as standard equipment. In government crash tests, the sport-ute earned three stars (out of five) for the driver and four for the front passenger in frontal impacts, and a perfect five stars in side impacts. In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Blazer earned a "Poor" rating (the lowest), as the passenger compartment wasn''t well-maintained.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
There are accommodations for as many as six passengers in the four-door Blazer, but we wouldn''t recommend squeezing that many in for anything but a short trip. There''s lots of cargo space, with the spare tire mounted underneath the cargo floor on four-door models. Sadly, the Blazer''s interior is marred by chintzy plastic and precious little footroom in front of a rather low and mushy seat. Adult passengers won''t find the rear accommodations much better.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Considering its aged design, the Blazer offers a reasonably controlled ride on the pavement, although there''s noticeable body roll when cornering. The transmission shifts smoothly and the engine is strong off the line, but it runs out of breath in the higher-rpm ranges. The sport-tuned Xtreme model tightens up the handling, but the long-throw shifter and numb steering keep it from being anything special.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ CHEVROLET Information Index ] [ SUV Information Index ]
|
