2022 Chevrolet Blazer RS Review: It Was All Yellow

Mid-size SUVs aren’t often the sportiest automobiles on the planet, nearly at all times choosing practicality over efficiency. However the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer brings sports activities car-charm and a punchy V6 to the phase in a nod to its muscle automotive sibling, the Camaro.

However how a lot are you keen to sacrifice within the title of sporty driving? On this case, the Blazer falls brief in sure classes that mid-size consumers would possibly worth. Some sought-after lively security options are baked into expensive packages, for instance, and the Blazer is neither the cushiest nor probably the most inexpensive crossover on the planet.

A automobile’s scores are relative solely to its personal phase and never the new-vehicle market as a complete. For extra on how Motor1.com charges vehicles, click on right here.

26 Images

• Exterior Shade: Nitro Yellow
• Inside Shade: Black W/Purple
• Wheel Measurement: 21 Inches

The Chevrolet Blazer appears to be like sharp, particularly this RS trim. Slim LED operating lights stretch horizontally throughout the corners of the aggressive fascia, with squared headlights positioned decrease down in every nook of the bumper. Taking over many of the actual property on the entrance finish, although, is the huge black grille; on this RS mannequin, it wears wider mesh and darkened trim items.

The Blazer’s Nitro Yellow paint job, a brand new hue for 2022, makes the already aggressive SUV extra eye-catching. Adore it or hate it, the $395 paint is not possible to disregard, and it appears to be like higher with the RS trim’s normal necessary black roof, black badges, and darkened accents. The optionally available 21-inch gloss black wheels assist improve the styling however price an additional $1,000 over the bottom sneakers.

The within is not as eye-catching as the outside. Jet black leather-based covers the seats and steering wheel, with that very same hue extending to the sprint, door panels, middle console, and elsewhere. However on the RS mannequin, there’s one particular function that stands out: the air-conditioning vents, weirdly. The gloss purple trim surrounding every vent instantly pops among the many in any other case drab cabin, matching delicate purple stitching on the seats.

The cabin structure emphasizes the Blazer’s aggressive look with a excessive beltline and slim greenhouse, and a middle console and door panel inserts that angle inward to create a cockpit-like structure. The driving force-oriented seating association is good, however the excessive beltline makes the area really feel tight.

• Seating Capability: 5
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
• Cargo Capability: 30.5 / 64.2 Cubic Ft

As a result of that is Chevrolet’s sportiest crossover, the Blazer does not precisely excel within the consolation division. The journey is harsh and the seats are uncomfortable; the laborious leather-based and lack of bolstering makes it really feel such as you’re sitting on high of the chairs somewhat than in them. The cabin permits a ton of out of doors noise – street, wind, and engine – which makes it troublesome to speak to your passengers with out having to boost your voice.

Due to its swoopy bodywork, the Blazer feels extra cramped than options just like the Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe. The entrance compartment is tight, with a smallish window that shrinks the greenhouse and chunky components on both aspect of the motive force that encroach on elbow room. Headroom and legroom within the second row aren’t a difficulty for average-sized adults, however once more, the small greenhouse from the even smaller rear window makes the compartment really feel extra cramped than it’s.

Cargo area is the place the Blazer actually suffers. The 30.5 cubic ft behind the second row and the 64.2 cubes with that bench folded flat are the bottom figures within the class. And attempting to load something into that rear hatch requires a major carry over the excessive lip.

• Heart Show: 8.0-Inch Touchscreen
• Instrument Cluster Show: 8.0 Inches
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: No

Each Blazer will get a regular 8.0-inch touchscreen show with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Sadly, it is nonetheless a wired connection; not even the top-end trims get wi-fi CarPlay. Not less than the RS and Premier fashions add navigation and an adjoining 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster to the combination which makes the setup extra interesting.

Admittedly, the Blazer’s 8.0-inch display screen is on the small aspect in comparison with what a number of the options provide. The Grand Cherokee has a stunning 10.1-inch optionally available show, for instance, and the Sante Fe comes with a ten.3-inch display screen. However the Blazer’s show does the job nicely sufficient.

Chevy’s dwelling display screen is crisp and simple to parse because of its color-coordinated and well-spaced icons. Contact responsiveness is not smartphone-quick, although. Each model of the Blazer will get a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite tv for pc radio, and OnStar distant companies out of the field, whereas wi-fi cellphone charging is out there on RS and above as an choice.

• Engine: 3.6-liter V6
• Output: 308 Horsepower / 270 Pound-Ft
• Transmission: 9-Velocity Automated

The RS mannequin is the one Blazer that will get a regular 3.6-liter V6 engine (it is optionally available on the 3LT and Premier fashions). With 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque on faucet, the Blazer RS accelerates off the road in a rush and delivers spectacular stamina at increased speeds. The Blazer routes energy via a regular nine-speed automated and sends it to all 4 wheels right here through the all-wheel-drive system, which prices a cool $2,900.

Dynamically, although, the Blazer RS is the best-handling mannequin because of its faster steering ratio and a twin-clutch differential with lateral torque vectoring that directs energy to every wheel as wanted. Toss it right into a nook and the Blazer RS evokes confidence with restricted physique roll and flat cornering, whereas the torquey engine offers loads of energy out of the nook.

The steering is weighty and gives ample suggestions from the street when cornering; you realize precisely what the tires are doing. However when cruising on the freeway, there’s a obscure on-center really feel that offers the wheel an excessive amount of wiggle in your arms.

The transmission is the one factor holding the Blazer RS from the next rating right here. The nine-speed automated doesn’t execute shifts as shortly because it ought to, even in Sport mode. It takes fidgeting with the gear follow get this gearbox to reply throughout efficiency driving, and even then, downshifting is sluggish. And for no matter cause, even within the sportiest Blazer, there aren’t any paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

• Driver Help Degree: SAE Degree 2
• NHTSA Score: 5 Stars General
• IIHS Score: Not TSP/TSP Plus

The Blazer comes with a couple of normal security options out of the field, however not as many as what most options provide. Automated emergency braking with a ahead collision alert, entrance pedestrian detection, and lively lane-keep help with a lane-departure warning come normal on each mannequin. Upping to the RS provides blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree overhead digital camera at no further price.

Sadly, even on the RS mannequin, adaptive cruise management prices further. A part of the $1,650 Driver Comfort II bundle, that add-on additionally contains high-speed automated emergency braking and a rearview mirror digital camera. That mentioned, with the Driver Comfort II bundle and all that lively security tools geared up, the Blazer RS cruises in confidence; the automated throttle and braking inputs are easy as are the steering inputs, which assist maintain the automotive centered within the lane.

• Metropolis: 19
• Freeway: 27
• Mixed: 21

The Blazer RS, with its normal V6 and optionally available all-wheel drive, isn’t probably the most environment friendly crossover on the planet. Then once more, not one of the options are gasoline sippers, both. The Blazer’s 19 miles per gallon metropolis, 26 freeway, and 21 mixed are middling. However even with a heavy foot over practically 100 miles of freeway driving, this Blazer RS hovered round its estimated gasoline financial system determine all through the week, if not simply barely beneath that mark.

Right here’s how the Blazer stacks up in opposition to its nearest all-wheel-drive options:

• Base Value: $34,595 + $1,195 Vacation spot
• Trim Base Value: $45,195
• As-Examined Value: $50,585

The Blazer RS will get dinged for its costly price ticket. At $45,195 to start out with the $1,195 vacation spot charge included, the Blazer is pricier than an equal Passport with all-wheel drive and costlier than any Santa Fe, even the luxurious Calligraphy mannequin. The Ford Edge ST-Line is a little more costly than the Blazer, and most comparable variations of Grand Cherokee are pricier too, however they arrive with extra options out of the field.

To match the usual options of a few of its rivals, Chevy forces you to spend $1,660 on the Enhanced Comfort bundle, which provides reminiscence seats, a telescoping steering wheel, and a Bose eight-speaker audio system. On high of that, the $1,650 Driver Confidence bundle is a must have if you need adaptive cruise management, high-speed automated emergency braking, and wi-fi cellphone charging.

All informed, our tester is available in at a comparatively steep $50,585. Even with all-wheel drive and each choice field ticked, the Santa Fe Calligraphy doesn’t crest $45,000, whereas the Passport is just below $50,000 with each manufacturing facility choice geared up. You would avoid wasting cash on the Blazer RS, although, by firming down the styling; the combo of Nitro Yellow with a black roof is $945 and the 21-inch wheels are one other $1,000.

The Blazer RS is probably the most compelling sporty crossover within the class, merely put. Its sturdy V6, improved steering, and more-rigid suspension mark noticeable upgrades over the bottom mannequin and permit the motive force the fling it right into a nook extra fervently. However there are nonetheless some areas the place the Blazer falls brief; it’s barely overpriced, not all that snug, and asks an excellent quantity further for in any other case fundamental security options.

Are Chevy Blazers 4-Wheel Drive?

Each Chevy Blazer will get normal front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as an choice. On the bottom 2LT and 3LT fashions, all-wheel drive prices $2,700 further, whereas the RS and Premier fashions ask $2,900 for energy in any respect for wheels.

The place Is The Chevrolet Blazer Made?

Chevy Blazers bought within the US are constructed at GM’s Ramos Arizpe Meeting in Mexico. The crossover changed the manufacturing of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan and hatchback, which was discontinued in 2018.

What SUV Is Comparable To The Chevy Blazer?

The Chevy Blazer competes with different two-row, mid-size crossovers just like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Hyundai Santa Fe.