Chevrolet fans for years now have been calling for a true body-on-frame SUV with off-road performance, but alas, General Motors hasn’t given us indication such a vehicle is coming. Meanwhile, Jeep continues to grow and the Wrangler goes unchecked.
Now, Ford is ready to grab a slice of the SUV pie. The automaker invited our sister publication Ford Authority to grab a sneak peek at the 2020 Ford Bronco and an unnamed mini-Bronco SUV. Both have Jeep square in its sights.
By 2020, Ford said it will introduce four new truck and SUV nameplates as it places bets on a shrinking passenger car market and allocates resources for utility vehicles. Meanwhile, we know Chevrolet may revive the Blazer… as a front-wheel-drive mid-size crossover.
To be fair, that name is allegedly not official yet, but previous signs have pointed to the “Blazer” name gracing a vehicle similar to the GMC Acadia.
2019 Chevrolet Blazer spy photo
Ford’s teaser image for the 2020 Bronco shows a decidedly upright shape with what appears to be a spare tire at the rear. All signs point to a retro-inspired design of the new Bronco. The smaller off-road SUV boasts a modern look with round headlights and a “Ford” nameplate spelled across the grille. Otherwise, the teaser sketch is covered in darkness.
With the SUV wars getting hotter, we wonder if GM has something planned after all. With the Hummer brand now defunct, Chevrolet or GMC will need to carry the torch, and Chevrolet seems like a better candidate as GMC pushes further into premium territory.
Comments
This is something that could be a problem. GM has been thinking and kicking this one around but never pulled the trigger.
The new Ford based on the shape looks like it could be interesting depending on how they deal with it. It could be the next hot car like the Soul or be the next TJ that never went far. .
The Wrangler is like the Taco and holds the segment hostage. To break in will take time and continued investment unless they are just in for the short term.
People like different and the HHR proved that with major sales but GM did not follow up.
I would like to see them do something like the Hummer Concept that died or even a new Blazer like we used to have. bade it on the mid size truck parts so they cross over to help create an aftermarket.
Ford has screwed up much in the last few years but this one may be one they got right for once. Let hope GM still is holding their plan and puts it into play.
In this day and age of identical SUV and CUV models people are looking to stand out. Something like this could mover well over 150K units easy and that is something many of the cars are not doing anymore.
There is a reason Jeep Wrangler dominates…Jeep gets it, Ford and Chevy do not.
Would love a Chevy or GMC competitor, but not holding my breath.
Jeep does not get it. They are just an icon like Harley and Corvette with a large loyal following.
This vehicle will need to grow and be nurtured or fail like other trends that grow fast but end up failing due to neglect.
The TJ Toyota had much promise but failed due to neglect.
The Soul is getting there. It is getting an update but is it too late?
Let GMC build a Hummer type vehicle to battle out with this or the Wrangler.
Something like this will be a little pricey if done right.
The GMC customers are more willing to pay a little more.
Plus it would finally give GMC a vehicle that is different from Chevrolet.
Build a Colorado base Blazer, two and four doors. Make the ZR2 package.
I agree, unfortunately it looks as though the Blazer will be FWD. Very bad move if you ask me. Itll fall in line with all the other boring midsize GM SUV’s and will just complete with the other Chevy and GMC products. In the mean time Ford will sale a boat load of Broncos. GM is always behind the curve in this area
The Colorado 7 was released in the Asia / Pacific markets in 2012. It became the Trailblazer in 2017. It competes in the same markets with Ford’s Everest. Both are body on frame, seven seat 4WDs with serious off-road credibility.
This current SUV focused market would have been perfect for Hummer. It’s a shame the brand didn’t make the cut in GM’s restructuring. With Hummer gone, I’m not sure Chevy is the brand to take up the task. I think GMC would be a better fit for an off-road focused SUV. The brand has the more rugged, SUV focused image. Tack on GMC’s premium touches and you have a brand that could deliver a strong competitor to the Grand Cherokee. People can talk about the Wrangler all they want, but I think Grand Cherokee is the better target for GM. A premium, off-road capable, midsize SUV from GMC would kill it. Think of it as a poor man’s Range Rover. GMC has the Professional Grade reputation, I think it’s time for them to play in the segment.
Chevy isn’t the ‘brand’ (I hate that term because Chevrolet used to be real company & motor division) to take on Ford? You can’t be serious. Everything is Chevy vs. Ford…
GMC is a trim level called Denali. That’s what’s kept them going the last 15-20 years. Denali. And no doubt, it’s an awesome trim that’s sold well! But it also would have sold 3 times the amount had it been offered on Chevrolet trucks & suv’s at the Chevrolet dealer. And Chevy wouldn’t have been dragged through the mud every time there’s been a Chevy vs. Ford & Ram interior comparison.
Chevrolet needs to kick Ford straight in the balls on this one.
I did not say GMC should take on Ford. I said GMC should take on Jeep and their Grand Cherokee. I am arguing that GMC is the better brand for an off-road vehicle. In considering where to bring out an off-road model, it is not a Chevy vs Ford situation. Its a GM vs the off-road market as a whole, and determining which brand is the best entrant into the market. In this case, I think GMC is better suited to enter the off-road market.
We’ll agree to disagree.
Hummer should never have been a brand of it’s own. It should have been a sub brand of Chevy or GMC. The extra cost of supporting a whole new brand could have gone toward research and development to make it the best on the market in it’s given category. Then who knows it could have been still around and doing well.
This is coming from a die-hard GM customer:
Instead of this “New Blazer” being another boring, CUV, grocery-getting, soccer mom vehicle…it should’ve stuck to its heritage and went off-road. GM is being very conservative with their vehicles.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz…
Couldn’t agree more. I too am a diehard GM man myself. Very disappointing. Besides Corvette and Camaro GM has turned into Toyota
Only Toyota has two SUVs with serious off-road creds to GM’s zero: 4-Runner and Land Cruiser.
I hate to keep harping on it, it just ticks me off looking at the teaser pics of the Bronco. Itll be a home run and GM will be late to the party! Sorry… ill shut up now
Isn’t that just the Bronco concept from a decade ago under a tarp?
Speaking as a consumer….Similar comment from me regarding Hummer to GMC. Kill off H1/H2 as those vehicles had all of the negative publicity for Hummer. Move the H3 and rumored H4 into GMC and call it the “H-Series”. The H3 was a great vehicle and GM hasn’t had anything similar since they killed it off. Have owned 1990s/2000s Blazers, still own a H3. No interest in CUVs and even the “small” Colorado is the size of full size trucks of yesteryear. Would probably have a Wrangler, but can’t deal with the whole “wave” thing. Will look at the Bronco which may open the door to Ford for future purchases.
That windshield angle is very upright, just like a Jeep wrangler.
Maybe Chevy will also come up with a true rugged Jeep Wrangler type as well. It would need to be based on a frame type platform, to be competitive.
I see Chevy doing the FRX-R concept crossover type as a performance vehicle, but nothing to do with four wheeling.
Yet another ugly pos Ford product made from cheap aluminum beer cans with FWD and a mutt ecoboost destined to be problematic like all ford motors.
GM should just put the Hummer brand on a cycle; when SUV’s are booming resurect the brand and when gas prices rocket and cars become popular discontinue them for another 10-15 years!!! I’m being sarcastic here but in all seriousness Hummer would be racking in money right about now if it were alive.
If GM were to challange here it would need to be RWD based and on a frame. They would do it at Chevy as it would be neither ultra high priced or luxury. GMC is now for luxury not off road hence why they did not get a ZR2.
I would love to see a H4 like project done at a reasonable price and supported by GM for the aftermarket.
I am a GMC guy who would love to see it there but that is not how GM is handling GMC anymore and who can argue with the profits.
I said before, and will continue to say that Chevy should “replace” the Tahoe with the more original Blazer type vehicle (off-road like). They could still call it the Tahoe but raise it, offer it in a 2-door config and a diesel engine. The Tahoe 3rd row seats are next to useless, the traverse is about the same size and Chevy does still have the Suburban. Even if they were to “get rid of” the Tahoe, they could still keep the standard length Escalade and Yukon around.
At the very least Chevy should have a Colorado based off-road SUV to compete with the Wrangler (and now Bronco).
Don’t count any sort of vehicle like this from GM any time soon. As long as Mary Barra is running the show, this kind of vehicle is taboo. She only allows a few specialty/performance vehicles (Corvette, Camaro, ATS-V) because it is the minimum necessary to compete and keep a percentage of GM loyalists coming back. As far as an real SUV, don’t hold your breath. If it doesn’t have a third row seat, rear seat entertainment, and wimpy front drive based drive train and the rest of the soccer mom/weeney accoutrements, nothing of this type of vehicle will make it into production for GM. We will have to rely on Ford and FCA to accommodate real specialty/performance oriented trucks and SUVs to this neglected market segment.
GMC, new ( BOF)( from canyon pickup truck) SUV RWD/4WD. 2020.
Last I heard, this program was being considered by was nixed… do you have any info in regards to this having changed?
If so, is it 31XX or VSS-T?
For me to be interested, full size, like a 2 door Tahoe, but Silverado based.
I have been saying for years that Chevrolet needs to do a Jeep Wrangler type of vehicle and simply call in the Chevy Hummer. How hard is this GM. Get it done
The name “Hummer” is now meaningless. It only made sense when the former brand was defined by the original, military Humvee. “Blazer” would be great – if it wasn’t being lined up for another garden-variety CUV.
If Ford builds the Bronco they released images of in 2015, they’ll sell 100,000 of them in the first year. GM will have nothing to compete with it. If GM were to build the K-Blazer from the late 80’s with a modern engine and brake system, it would sell like crazy as well. I’d sure as hell buy one to replace my 2001 Yukon. But that isn’t going to happen. If they eventually consider it, it should be a Chevy, not a GMC. Not many bought the Jimmy back in day, unless it was Chuck Heston in Earthquake.
They had the perfect recipe in the form of the old K5! It was large enough to really tow and haul a payload and had a short enough wheel base to be a great off-roader. 5 passenger, 2-door made it sporty and tough, not the soccer mom look a Tahoe has gone to! AS mentioned earlier, a modern K5 based on the ’73-’87 body style would be a sure winner……..and I surely get one to replace my 30 year old one I drive daily.