2021 Chevrolet Blazer Road Test and Review

2021 Chevrolet Blazer Front ・ Photo by Nicole Wakelin

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer is a five-person mid-size crossover with a well-known nameplate. It took a 15-year hiatus and returned to the market in 2019 as a wholly new vehicle. Once a rugged, off-road SUV, the current generation of the Blazer caters more to the family crowd. It offers a balance between passenger comfort and cargo room along with the ability to tow.

There’s a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive, three engines, and six trim levels. That wide range of choices makes it easy to find a version of the Blazer that works for your needs. There’s the more rugged styling of the RS or the more luxurious feel of the Premier and turbocharged or V6 engines depending on how much of a priority you place on performance. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer to see if it’s the right crossover for you.

Six Trim Levels to Choose From

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer is available in a range of six trims starting with the base L at $28,800 with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive only. The 1LT adds a power driver’s seat and the availability of additional safety features including a rear cross-traffic alert and rear park assist at $32,300. For $33,100, a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard on the 2LT, as are safety features including automatic emergency braking. The 3LT, priced at $37,300, adds a power liftgate and power front passenger seat.

The RS has a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, heated steering wheel, and sporty exterior accents for $41,995. Sitting at the top of the lineup is the Premier priced at $42,500. It makes the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine standard with the option for the V6, while adding a Bose premium audio system and heated rear outboard seats.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Three Available Powertrains

There’s a choice of three powertrains for the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. This is the least powerful engine and is the only option on the L and 1LT models, which are both front-wheel-drive only. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission is the standard engine on the remainder of the lineup, except for the RS.

Optional on those trims and standard on the RS is a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic. We spent our time with the V6-powered RS and found it a responsive powertrain. It accelerated easily up to highway speeds with a smooth transmission and a minimum of engine noise intruding into the cabin.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Widely Varied Fuel Economy

The best fuel economy in the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer is achieved in models equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive. So equipped, the Blazer gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. Choose all-wheel drive with this engine and those numbers fall to 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The front-wheel-drive-only 2.5-liter gets 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. The 3.6-liter with front-wheel drive gets 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, but with all-wheel drive gets only 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. That’s a wide range of numbers, so consider carefully if the power of the V6 is worth the extra fuel cost.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Smooth, Passenger-Friendly Ride

crossovers split their focus between making passengers comfortable and having the capability and room to handle cargo. The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer balances that equation well with a smooth ride that doesn’t jostle passengers, even over rough road surfaces. The suspension soaks up road imperfections, so no one knows just how bad the road is beneath the wheels.

The driver is also treated to a pleasant ride experience with handling that remains composed over those same rough roads. Broken pavement and even dirt roads aren’t a challenge, with steering that stays easy to manage as road surfaces and weather conditions change. The Blazer has somewhat relaxed handling rather than offering the stiff sportiness of a performance vehicle. It does this without becoming sloppy, so it’s easy for the driver to remain at ease and maintain confident control of the Blazer, even in more challenging conditions.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Attractive, Roomy Interior

Depending on which trim you choose, the Blazer offers either a more modest interior or one that’s more upscale. Seating is comfortable up front with ample room for taller passengers who won’t find their knees squished. The seats are supportive and comfortable, so they’re less likely to be wearying during long road trips.

Rear seat passengers also have comfortable seats, with plenty of room for three adults to spread out. Again, legroom is not an issue, even with the front seats pushed further back. Headroom is also generous, making the rear seats usable even when tall adults are along for the ride. The RS offers a sportier look and feel with red accents, while the Premier goes for a more finessed, upscale look. Material qualities are good, and even the base trim of the Blazer doesn’t feel like a bare-bones option.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Room for All Your Cargo

There’s plenty of room for your cargo inside the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer along with a solid tow rating for taking along larger items. There’s 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat or 64.2 cubic feet behind the front seats with the rear seats folded. Even with the rear seats up and a full load of people, there’s still room enough for a family’s luggage. There’s a low load floor to make it easier to stow heavy items, and a large tailgate opening so even bulky cargo will fit. There are also available features to help secure cargo including a floor rail system with an adjustable cargo fence.

When it comes to towing, the Blazer can manage up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. Between its towing capacity and its large interior, the Blazer is a good choice for those who frequently haul more than people.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

High-Grade infotainment Comes Standard

Standard infotainment in the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There’s also 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, two USB charging ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Available upgrades include navigation, SiriusXM with a three-month trial subscription, wireless smartphone charging, and a premium Bose eight-speaker audio system.

The inclusion of an 8-inch touchscreen even on base trims ensures helps reduce the distraction that can be caused by screens that are too small and hard to view. It also makes it easy to clearly see the images provided by the camera to maneuver through tight spaces without hitting low-lying objects. The system itself is easy to use with clearly organized menus that make it easy to quickly find what you need, even for passengers who don’t have a familiarity with how things work.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Strong Safety

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer earned a top five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it comes with a wide range of standard and available safety features to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Standard features include an HD rearview camera and LED daytime running lights. There’s also Teen Driver, a system that lets parents view their child’s driving habits and coach them toward safe driving practices.

Available features include a forward-collision alert, a following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist with a lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. These are standard with the 2LT but not available on lower trim levels. Additional available safety features include blind-spot monitoring, a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, and rear park assist. Aiming for at least the 2LT trim gets a solid suite of safety features without having to move all the way to the Premier.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offers a wide range of choices to suit a wide range of customers. The trim lineup provides everything from the affordable L to the more rugged RS to the more upscale Premier, all depending on your personal preferences. There’s also a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive across most of the lineup, so those who live in snowy climes can get a more capable version of the Blazer.

The availability of three engines further increases the appeal of the Blazer, since those who crave a bit more performance can find it in the more powerful options. Finally, a wide range of standard and available safety features along with top crash-test ratings help set your mind at ease when the family is along for the ride. The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer has the comfort, style, and features to make it a worthy crossover choice.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin