I’ll let you in on a secret: people ask me what SUV I recommend to an aspiring shopper, and every time I guide them towards a Chevy dealer. How can I not? There, they will be able to find a perfect Chevy SUV, which I consider some of the best on the market. More specifically, I believe the Chevy Blazer is an SUV that many drivers should consider, as it offers the perfect balance of power, comfort, and space. Chevy has no shortage of SUVs; one glance at the lineup makes that clear. However, the Blazer’s advantages ultimately come down to its performance against its other mid-size SUV brethren. While it doesn’t outperform SUVs like the Tahoe and Suburban, it’s not built to do so. Those are far larger vehicles, so that comparison is irrelevant. But does the Blazer fit your needs while fitting within your budget? That’s the question you must ask yourself today, and if you keep reading, I hope to answer it for you.
But first, let’s discuss pricing and trim levels. The 2022 Blazer starts at an MSRP of $33,400 and is available in four trim levels. Four trim levels may surprise returning customers used to the Blazer being available in one of six, such as the proceeding model, but it ultimately makes the shopping experience more streamlined. It may confuse some drivers that the base trim is called the 2LT, but this is because the 1LT and L from the year prior have gotten the boot. While the price increased over the previous model, the Blazer makes up for it with better performance at the base level. I want to begin this discussion on the 2022 Blazer by looking into the available engine options so you can understand what to expect when you drive off the lot on your new ride.
Two Engines, Lots of Capability
The 2022 Blazer retains the two best engines from prior models like the one from 2021 but removes the former base engine, meaning the base trim now outperforms their predecessors. To set the stage, let’s first discuss the engine that no longer is part of the Blazer’s assortment of engines. The 2021 model was the last to offer the 2.5L EcoTec I-4 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It produces a decent 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, but the towing capacity was tame at 1,500 lbs. Although the performance stemming from the former engine was decent, the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine outperforms it, which is still part of the lineup today.
The turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine has better performance and efficiency than the old 2.5L engine that came standard before. Replacing the base engines results in a higher cost over its predecessor, but it’s an understandable concession to have a base-level engine that can produce an impressive 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s 19% and 37% more horsepower and torque, respectively. The shift in the base engine also means the stock Blazer now tows 3,500 lbs, a 133% increase over last year’s. As I mentioned, fuel efficiency on the turbocharged engine is also better compared to the 2.5L I-4 engine. The 2.0L engine gets an outstanding EPA-estimated 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Compared to the standard 2.5L from 2021, which gets an EPA-estimated 21 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway, it’s understandable why the change was made. The difference may be slight, but every mile counts.
Continuing with the current engines, the 2022 Blazer retains the 3.6L V6 engine, which provides the Blazer with the highest level of performance. This engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission like the turbocharged engine. The power is pushed further to a robust 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Against the turbocharged engine, the V6 offers drivers 34% more horsepower and 4.6% more torque, and the towing capacity increases again, this time to 4,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency is not affected by this increase in power, as the V6 engine can still achieve an EPA-estimated rating of 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.
The Space You and Your Passengers Need
The Blazer is comfortable, and I mean comfortable. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is standard and is a vast improvement over the bothersome manually-adjustable chairs that competitors still use. The Blazer is a vehicle in which the front-seat passenger doesn’t have to lose out on being comfortable because they’re not driving. The Blazer gives front-seat passengers a six-way power-adjustable seat on select trims. Its base interior comes with a cloth seat trim or a galvanized premium cloth available in light or dark, should you choose the upgrade.
Additionally, perforated leather is available in higher-end trims for drivers looking for a premium material with a classier look and feel. Perforated leather will likely be the go-to choice for drivers interested in the Blazer if purchasing a trim that offers it. After all, you’ll have to match it with the leather-wrapped steering wheel, which comes standard on more luxurious trims like the Premier.
Perhaps one of the most important features of any vehicle is its available passenger space. What good are innovative features if you and your companions can’t sit comfortably? For most, it is a make-or-break factor when considering a new vehicle, and rightly so. When traveling in the Blazer, you and your front passenger will enjoy 39.8-inches of headroom and 41-inches of legroom, leaving ample space for passengers short and tall. Wider front passengers won’t feel tightly packed inside the interior either with the 59.1-inches of shoulder room and 55.6-inches of hip room.
Around the back, the two passengers sitting behind you will have a similarly spacious 38.6-inches of headroom and 39.6-inches of legroom. That’s right; the Blazer offers rear-row passengers a strikingly similar amount of head and legroom to the front seat occupants. The same goes for hip and shoulder room, which for backseat passengers is 54.2 and 58.6-inches, respectively.
Your Stuff Needs to Be Comfortable Too!
I wanted to include cargo space because if you’re shopping for an SUV, there’s a chance cargo space is a crucial necessity. Like other mid-size SUVs, the Blazer’s back seats can fold downwards, revealing more space for cargo; in this case, over double. Let’s say you’re driving with a cabin full of people or just need the rear row of seats upright. For this scenario, you’ll have 30.5 cu.ft. of space to work with, which will be plenty for belongings, big and small, and perfect for vacation or something simple like grocery shopping. If you’re driving alone or with one other passenger up front, you can fold down the back seats, increasing the available cargo space to 64.2 cu.ft. The 110% increase in cargo space when folding down the back seats means the Blazer has a large cabin with plenty of versatility.
The SUV You’ve Been Looking For
Cargo space is one of the few things that creates a demand for SUVs and is something sedans can’t help fill the need for those that require a vehicle more spacious than a sedan but smaller than a pickup truck. SUVs are popular for a reason; people lead busy lives, and an SUV is a logical choice for many drivers. SUVs make sense for those constantly traveling with their families, whether for a long-distance trip, soccer practice, or an early morning school drop-off before work. SUVs make life easier, and the 2022 Chevy Blazer fully demonstrates that. I can’t recommend the Blazer enough. If you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV that can provide the versatility you need, whether you’re a solo commuter or have a family of passengers, the Blazer might be exactly what you’re looking for.
