Chevrolet reintroduced its midsize SUV, the Blazer, in time for the 2019 model year. This is the third iteration of this venerable nameplate, with Blazer name last being seen on the S-10 Blazer that left production back in 2005. However, the 2019 Blazer really wasn’t so much a reintroduction as a reimaging of what a four-door, five-passenger SUV could represent. With five different trims and three different engines, Chevy put you in the driver seat to decide on what you need from your Blazer. With the 2020 Chevy Blazer, you can even build one that is ready to take on the trail with a full complement of off-road features.
While the Blazer is front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive is available on all but the two lowest trim levels. In addition, every Chevy Blazer comes equipped with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system on an 8-inch color touchscreen. This combines the great stereo system on the Blazer with such features as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The top-of-the-line Blazer Premier comes with a Bose premium 8-speaker audio system, perfect for you if you are a true audiophile. With a base MSRP of $28,800, the Chevy Blazer also represents great value for an SUV with all these features.
Two Trims for off-Roading
Sometimes you get tired of driving down the blacktop and want to go into the wild. However, not every SUV can handle the challenges of the off-road trail. In order to make sure you don’t ruin your investment, you need to know that your SUV doesn’t just talk-the-talk but also walks-the-walk when it comes to driving it off the tarmac and onto the less beaten path.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer features five different trim levels: L, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. While each of these makes for a great SUV, if you are looking to do some off-roading, your best bets are the RS and Premier trims with all-wheel drive. That is because each of these offers an Advanced Twin-Clutch all-wheel-drive system that provides torque directly to each wheel in an independent fashion. As a result, you will get more control over each wheel when you are taking your Chevy Blazer out on the trail. It will also improve the overall traction for your SUV.
The all-wheel-drive on the Blazer will also be beneficial when you go off-roading. The system constantly monitors driving conditions so that you will have the maximum traction no matter the situation. For example, in inclement weather like snow or sleet, the all-wheel drivetrain on the Chevy Blazer will provide up to 50 percent of the engine torque to either of the front wheels and a full 85 percent to either of the rear wheels. This will help you stay on the path and get over any obstacles that you may encounter.
Mechanical Advantages
Each 2020 Chevy Blazer comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission for improved overall engine performance. Chevrolet has included a Traction Select System that allows you to choose between five different modes for optimum performance depending on driving conditions:
- All-Wheel Drive is ideal for slippery roads.
- Tour locks front-wheel drive to improve fuel efficiency.
- Tow/Haul will maximize the towing capacity of your Blazer.
- Sport adjusts driving feel for a sportier ride.
- Off-Road will optimize the throttle and chassis control systems on your Blazer.
- This system provides ideal handling in the rough terrain you will encounter when you take your Blazer off-road.
The standard engine on the 2020 Chevy Blazer is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. While this is a very good powertrain for daily driving, it doesn’t compare to what you may want when it comes to off-roading. This is where the RS and Premier models are ideal for you when you want performance and the ability to go off-roading, as these two trims come standard with the top engine available in the 2020 Blazer.
The standard engine on the RS and Premier trims is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces an exceptional 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. This added torque is especially important when you choose the all-wheel drivetrain on your Blazer, as this torque will come in handy, whether you’re contending with stormy weather or rocky trails. This engine features Stop/Start technology to improve fuel efficiency, as well as variable valve timing and spark ignition direct ignition for improved overall performance. The 2020 Blazer with the V6 engine and all-wheel drive also provides a solid fuel economy of 19 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway.
If you are interested in improved fuel economy without losing much in the way of performance, then the mid trims of the 2020 Blazer also offer a 2.0-liter Turbo 4-cylinder gas engine. This has a double overhead camshaft design and also features Stop/Start technology, spark ignition direct ignition, and variable valve timing. Despite being smaller than the V6, this engine uses its turbocharger to produce 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. So, while you may lose some horsepower, the torque ratings between the two engines are fairly close. Best of all, you will get an improved all-wheel drive fuel economy of 21 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG in highway driving.
Standard Advanced Safety Features
Every 2020 Chevy Blazer comes equipped with seven airbags, an HD rear vision camera, LED daytime running lights, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control, a tire fill alert, a tire pressure monitoring system, and OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services capabilities. With the RS and Premier, Chevrolet takes one more step to improve overall vehicle safety. Standard safety features on the two models include lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, and rear park assist.
Lane change alert with side blind zone provides visual alerts on the driver side-view mirror to alert you if there is a car in your blind spot when you are changing lanes. Rear cross traffic alert comes into play when you put your Blazer into reverse. The system will detect if there is any traffic about to pass behind your Blazer from either the right or left. It will also display warning triangles on your HD rear vision camera as well as giving audible warnings. Finally, rear park assist will help you avoid any objects in the path of your Trailblazer when you are backing into a parking space. Each of these advanced safety features will help you to better avoid possible collisions when driving your Blazer.
Whether you intend to go off-roading with your 2020 Chevy Blazer RS or Premier or simply stick to the road, you are going to be properly equipped with either model for the ride of your life. From advanced safety features to a choice of two exceptional engines, the Blazer RS and Premier give you the features you need to get you and your passengers wherever you are going safely and in an efficient manner. Plus, the Blazer is so much fun to drive, you may just take the long way getting there so you can increase the enjoyment as much as possible.
