We recently shared the first real-world pictures of the 2019 Blazer, and for the most part the vehicle was praised for its unique, menacingly aggressive and sleek looks. Aside from not being a body-on-frame SUV, one consistently-touted caveat about the new Blazer has been the omission of LED headlights.

The top narrow lights are the daytime running lights (DRLs), with the actual headlamps located in the cluster below them.
Given that the 2019 Blazer is an all-new product, one would it expect it to have the latest technology. While the Blazer does make use of LED lights for the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) in the squinty top lights, the heavy lifting for forward lighting duty is still done by standard projector beam HID lights in the cluster below.
By comparison, some of Chevy’s direct rivals in the non-luxury space offer full-LED forward lighting clusters as an option. For instance, the Honda Civic and Accord both offer full-LED headlights, despite both models having lower starting price points than the 2019 Blazer.
And that brings us to today’s question du jour: is Chevy making a mistake to not offer a full-LED headlight option in the all-new 2019 Blazer? Vote in the poll and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments
LEDs dont need to be offered. The head lights look just find. I think people will dig until they find something to complain about.
This is not about looks. It is about the perception of not even offering the latest technologies desired by car buyers at large.
Would you rather see GM leading or following? This is not a case of either. It’s rather a case of lagging.
You know how I feel about LED Headlights. I mean BMW /Audi/Mercedes are offering Laser lights and GM is struggling to offer LED Headlights as optional equipment on their Cars. The Civic have them, the Jetta comes Standard with them as does the Stupid Corolla. Huge mistake by GM. CUV’s are hot right now, why give the buying public any excuse to walk away?
It comes with HIDs *standard* – it’s not an issue.
I have LEDs in my Volt, and they are fantastic – but a well setup HID headlamp setup can be equally as good, if not better – and without all the heat that LED headlights produce. There are so many sub-par LED headlamp setups out there that either A) are not set up well and thus do not illuminate the road properly or B) are so bright they blind everything oncoming half a state over.
It’s quite possibly they simply found that HIDs packaged better (again – see cooling requirements of LED headlamps) and worked better.
I agree that a proper HID setup is preferable to LEDs, however, HIDs have a high heat emission and LEDs have a low heat emission.
So the Santa Fe can offer LED’s but the Blazer cannot? They have the exact same setup.
The average buyer could not tell you the difference between a HID or LED.
As long as the lights are good at night and even with HID they will be better than their last vehicle.
The LED debate is big for some obsessed web people and for a hand full of writers something to write about.
Adding LED is not just changing bulbs. GM already tried to install the bulbs in the Acadia back up lights and ended up with a service bulletin to replace them due to issues with the body control module.
I would assume this is the last GM model on this platform and they will change each one starting the refresh.
It would be cheaper to go LED as HID units generally are more expensive and heavier.
I would watch the Acadia and You will see them change them overstarting there.
My Acadia works fine on HID as I do not lack light or vision.
The bottom line GM would sell the same volume of Blazers with or with out LED.
LED’s are also much more efficient and in this day of fuel efficiency, its very odd not to offer them. GM even engineered a new LED technology called D-Optic LED headlights. Why not use them here? This smacks of old GM cost cutting.
LED themselves are not fuel efficient it is the weight of the unit that I clearly pointed out.
I assume it is at the end of a cycle and this may be the last one.
GM is not saving cost. Ever price a HID replacement unit? $1200-$2000. LED lights are reletivly cheap in comparison.
Might note too the D optics were just introduced just under a year ago so to put them on this vehicle may not have even been an option as these lights would have been nailed down by the time Magna introduced them.
This LED over Hid is much like the fad chasing on the LED DRLs when they came out. Same on the OnStar antennas and even the CHMSLs. People wanted to look new and trendy so they added them to their cars when they first came out.
I just loved the people putting on the fake On Start antennas they used to sell that just stuck on with tape and did nothing.
In the end I suspect the product cycles here were in play. It was not as simple as just swapping bulbs.
Note the story below on the Acadia the sister vehicle.
http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=9594
its 2018. LED is where the market is going. You don’t think GM could have engineered this car with LED’s in mind? You mention that LES’s are like a fad, but wasn’t it a GM design exec who said that the auto industry is like the fashion business? Also, I post this article: https://www.autoguide.com/hid-vs-led-headlights
Yes Harley Earl long ago proved that autos were like fashion with styling.
Today technology is the new black.
Yes GM could have engineered this but what if the product cycle is set to pick up on the Acadia refresh next year first and it was not scheduled or budgeted for the lower priced Chevy first.
Odds are it is just simple product cycles and in two years the body control module could be updated to make the change.
Every item as to have a starting point and ending point. Chevy seldom due to pricing is the first to get any new tech. Neither is Ford or Most other value level brands if they hold a higher level brand.
Same here on the smart tailgate on the GMC Denali but not the SLS or any zchevy yet. Same in the composite bed.
I agree that product cycles are influencing this, in part. Buuuuuuut, LED weight vs HID weight equating to fuel efficiency? The ZL1 1LE deleted DRLs for weight reduction, but that was in the name of performance, not mileage. I’m skeptical, but open minded – how much do you think the difference would affect real world MPGs?
And I ‘m surprised GM would be so naive. LED bulbs in a halogen bulb socket will make the system think the bulb is faulty. That’s why the turn signals will blink fast if you put LEDs in your turn signal bulb socket without using a load resistor.
It is not the total weight of just the HIDs but the collective weight of the all the items you are reducing,
Look at Cadillac and see how they cut weight in many ways including shortening the bolts on many components that did not have to be that long. Each bolt is a small amount but in the total it added up to pounds.
Engineers today are looking at collective total system weights not just individual weights only. There is no major weight savings on just one item anymore it is collective weigh of a number of items anymore.
The change to LED weight wise was an area they could wait till the refresh like I expect in the Acadia.
Now as for the lack of load resistors. There are some cases some bulbs will work and some will not with the resistors. I suspect they may have figured it would work in the Back Ups but it was boarder line.
The real issue I believe is the power management systems on these new vehicles are very sensitive trying to make 12 volts work. We will soon see them up the voltage and then we will see even more electronic l changes.
These systems are so very sensitive anymore. just driving with a failing battery you will see systems in a vehicle shut down as you drive. I had a GP that the battery was bad in and it lost the radio. the HVAC then the dash and speedo but the car kept running as the power decreased. The engine was the priority and it kept it running as it shut down other systems.
HID systems work fine. They are great in my Acadia and I have no issue with the lack of LED. Now I just hope they are never damaged as they are very expensive to repair that is my only criticism.
HID’s not only work fine, they don’t have flicker or require cooling fans like most LED units. Commenters here are acting like GM is putting old halogens in the new Blazer.
LED’s are cheap when compared to Halogen bulbs. The fact that the Blazer omits this, is very disappointing. I purchased H11’s and H8 LED headlights for my 2014 Sonic for $40 a SET. Compared to $37 for halogen, while the LED offer better benefits. Longer Lifespan, Shock Resistant, Less Heat Emission, Bigger ‘Throw’. Honestly, the LED’s saved me a few times in dense fog in the Midwest, while the halogens would have caused me to creep at 5mph. LED’s are NOT expensive, and people don’t seek them out just for looks. Consumers KNOW the benefit of them, over obsolete halogen bulbs.
I think this point speaks to the cycle refresh theory. Someone in this comment section already pointed out that lack of LEDs will not deter a potential buyer who’s actually interested in the 2019 Blazer. But the addition of LEDs is certainly something the marketing team can build off of in a 2020+ model. Similar to how Subaru added in a bunch of goodies to the 2015 STi in 2017/18.
That’s my guess anyways. I think an outcry would be undoubtedly warranted if the 2019 Blazer wasn’t equipped with HIDs.
I cant believe somebody would cross shop another car and pick a different brand on the sole purpose that it had LED lights instead of something else.
If you are one of those people then you live a pathetic life! I mean lights are supposed to light up the road. Do the HID units do this?
Its a potential marketing issue. Just like GM not offering safety tech standard when the majority of your competitors do. To the general public you appear to not be on the leading edge of technology. Why give away a competitive advantage?
HID are not the stone age. There is no real drop off in performance here.
The advantage to LED is cheaper, less weight and less heat. Also you can use more shaped reflectors for headlight shapes.
The HID far exceed the DOT standards for safety.
This is just the case of some people who chase latest tech for the sake of just having the latest tech. These are the people buying a new Apple or Samsung phone every year just to have it when the old one works just as well just less a pixel or two and a couple emoji’s.
I’m talking about marketing, and as I said it’s all about perception.
100%
Just imagine if Ford chose to call the Edge a Bronco instead.
Blasphemy.
I don’t mind this vehicle, per se. I’m still stuck on them using the Blazer name.
Aside from that, I don’t see the lacking of LED lights to be that big of a deal.
Hopefully they will introduce a proper off-road Colorado based K-5 Blazer and all will be good in the automotive universe.
yes true
Gm Is cutting on LEDS .. in everything …my ctsv 2016 ..has basic Headlights its 100k car and reverse lights is not LED and number plate /… why GM 🙁
Yes its a mistake, a glaring oversight only a company such as GM can make. However, I dont see it as a fatal mistake. Yes GM should have had the fore sight to design and make LED headlights for their mass market 2019 vehicle, even if only the Premier model would have it. But its not like 2019 Blazer wouldnt sell without it, with proper market placement and advertising I think the Blazer will be a very strong seller for GM.
Just an oversight of moving too quickly with their design as one has to suspect that we’ll probably see LED daytime running lights in 2020 or 2021.
I believe the DRLs are led from the photos
I pretty much only have one issue with GM right now and its not lights or the blazer name. GM has an amazing opportunity in front of them right now and their not capitalizing on it. Dodge has led the charge with a three-hit combo (The Challenger, The Charger and the Durango) GM is an amazing company could do the same with the Camaro, the Impala and the Blazer. and even one more vehicle being the Silverado SS, actually two more vehicles, the Chevy Cruze. The Cruze, the Camaro, the Impala and the blazer should all be on a version of the Alpha (Alpha-II/VSS-R) platform.
Chevy Cruze: Alpha-II platform AWD hatch only (RWD based) Civic Type-R / Subaru STI destroyer with an SS variant that packs the new 2.7L Turbo 4-cylinder engine with a 350hp/380tq rating, performance AWD, ZL1-spec Brembo brakes, 10-speed auto, E-Twinster differentials, Tremec TR6060 option w/ twin disc clutch, dual mode dual exhaust system, heated and cooled Recaro seats, alcantara steering wheel, a bit more Camaro inspired, 20″ wheels, etc. lower trims should include a sporty RS trim with a 2.0L 275hp turbo 8/speed auto/ 6-speed manual variant AWD with smaller brakes, non magnetic ride suspension, single stage dual exhaust, etc. Along with a turbo diesel option.
Chevrolet Camaro: Alpha-II platform RWD Coupe. Chevrolet has a lot going behind the scenes with their V8 engines. Not just the RPO V8 engines like the 355hp 5.3L, the 460hp LT1, the 650hp LT4 and the 755hp LT5 V8 but they’ve also got the COPO engines such as the COPO 302, the COPO 350 and the COPO 427. GM could be using a lot of the COPO tech in the regular Camaro engine lineup to make a great lineup of cars. I’ll start with the based Camaro. GM just introduced a 310hp/350lb-ft torque 2.7L Turbo engine for the Silverado lineup that would actually work great as the base engine in the Camaro, with a different tune to about 350hp/380tq it should blow the Ecoboost mustang out of the water, especially with a 1LE package. Above that should be the 5.3L 327ci V8 with COPO styled heads tuned for the street, a hot-street camshaft, high flow intake, Tri-Y mid-length exhaust manifolds, a dual mode exhaust system, 8-speed auto/6-speed manual, COPO 327 rotating assembly and block, Brembo brakes, magnetic ride, LT/RS body Camaro RS with an optional RS-1LE package with a black lower profile COPO scooped hood, a rear lip spoiler, 20″ wheels, HD axles and differential, Recaro/Alcantara interior, etc. All to the tune of roughly 405hp/420lb-ft of torque. Above that should be the Camaro SS with a reworked LT1 V8 with the COPO 396 rotating assembly and the factory stock LT1 heads and cams with a rating of 495hp/495lb-ft of torque with its own 1LE performance package. Right above that should be the Z/28 & Z/28R models with a retuned 550hp version of the Supercharged COPO 350ci V8 designed to be suitable for street and track use. Now there should be a stripped down COPO street Camaro (like what Dodge did with the Demon) but with a 427ci V8 (like the ’69 COPO) pushing 800hp and designed to be a street legal drag car. Lastly the new ZL1 needs the 755hp LT5 to battle with the new GT500.
Chevrolet Impala: Stretched Alpha platform sedan with the base 2.7L 350hp turbo-4 coming in with AWD. Above that should be the Impala RS 5.3L 405hp sedan. Above that should be the Impala SS sedan with the 495hp LT1, factory 1LE suspension, Brembo brakes, 10-speed auto, Recaro alcantara interior, premium stereo, somewhat Camaro inspired, charger sized sedan. Above that should be the Impala Z34 (Retro name rebirth) with the LT5 755hp V8 (basically a ZL1 sedan)
Blazer: Camaro inspired Durango destroyer with a base 350hp 2.7L Turbo, a 405hp 5.3L RS and a 495hp SS. Everything should have the 10-speed auto, AWD, Magnetic ride, Brembo brakes, drive modes, active valve dual exhaust, Recaro seats, etc. This should be the Camaro of the Crossover world just like the Durango is the Charger of the Crossover world.
Silverado 1500 SS/Silverado 1500 ZR2: The New Silverado 1500 SS should have a 500hp/520lb-ft torque variant of the 6.2l v8 With the 10-speed auto AWD, Brembo brakes magnetic ride, 22×10″ wheels w/305/35R22 ultra high performance tires, lowered ride height, quad tipped dual exhaust exiting in front of rear wheels, improved aerodynamics, performance Recaro/alcantara interior, etc. The ZR2 should be the opposite of that with a factory 3″ lift, 33″ tires on 20″ wheels, a 450hp/930lb-ft torque Duramax diesel, Allison transmission, Dana axles, exhaust stacks, snorkel intake, rugged interior that can be washed out, water proof engine and drivetrain compartment with grille shutters, water tight door seals, front and rear off road bumpers (with integrated front end guard), front and rear winches, lower body armor with rock slider running boards, LED headlamps and tail lamps with water-proof casings, etc. This is not a dune jumping raptor fighter (because honestly, who cares!) this is more of direct competition to the Ram Rebel and upcoming Rebel TRX.
Along with those vehicles, there also needs to be a Tahoe RST Performance/Tahoe Z71 Blazer Off Road package, a Tahoe High Country A Colorado SS, an improved ZR2 Colorado, a Colorado high Country, a Tahoe High Country, and a Suburban High Country.
Tahoe RST: 475hp/480tq 6.2L V8 lowered, magnetic ride, Brembo brakes, full performance suspension, 10-speed auto, improved aerodynamics, AWD, independent front and rear suspension, quad tipped dual exhaust system, performance oriented interior. aggressive RST emblems, blacked out grilles and lights, heat extractor hood, rear spoiler, RST graphics package on hood, blacked out roof, and rear quarters
Tahoe Z71 Blazer Off Road: 2″ lifted suspension, 5.3L 400hp V8, 10-speed auto, aggressive tires, bead lock wheels, water tight engine compartment, body armor, off road bumpers, front and rear winches, high flow dual exhaust, etc. doesn’t have to match the ZR2 Silverado but should be more off road capable.
Tahoe High Country: Denali level Tahoe with all of the bells and whistles and the 6.2L V8 standard. Along with Independent front and rear suspension, magnetic ride, massive silver finished Brembo brakes, 22 & 24″ wheel options on the High Country, a 475hp 6.2L V8 with 480lb-ft of torque, privacy glass, luxurious leather, heated and cooled seats, LED ambient interior lights, navigation, etc.
Colorado SS: Hot 405hp 5.3L V8 w/ 10-speed auto, 4WD, Brembo brakes, lowered magnetic ride, dual exhaust system, hard tonneau cover with integrated lip spoiler, heat extractor hood, more Silverado 1500-style body language, 20″ wheels, wide tires, Recaro/Alcantara interior, premium stereo w/ amps and subs, etc.
Colorado ZR2: stronger Duramax 2.8L V6 twin turbo setup with Allison transmission, Dana axles, 4″ lift 18″ wheels, 33″ tires, 4″ high flow exhaust system rugged and washable interior, body armor, off road bumpers with front end guard, frame sliders, running boards, etc. with all Colorado trucks riding on a larger platform.
Colorado High Country: Luxury trim 4×4 Colorado with the base 2.7L 310hp turbo-4, 20″ wheels, big brakes, smooth magnetic ride, etc.
Suburban High Country: Luxury trim Suburban. The Suburban should move to the 2500-series pickup drivetrain and chassis with Independent front and rear suspension, magnetic ride, massive silver finished Brembo brakes, 22 & 24″ wheel options on the High Country, a 475hp 6.2L V8 with 480lb-ft of torque, privacy glass, luxurious leather, heated and cooled seats, LED ambient interior lights, navigation, etc.
Now, of course with a performance laden lineup like that, there needs to be some balance, which is where vehicles like Malibu, Equinox, and Traverse come in and vehicles like the Trax, the Spark and the Sonic get dropped to make room for more GM electric and GM Performance Electric vehicles. I would love to see GM put Tesla out of business, PERMANENTLY!!! figure if GM made three 700hp Electric performance 500-mile range vehicles (a sedan, a sports car and a crossover) all of the having Camaro-inspired styling and driving emotion, along with a classy and upscale but very affordable hatchback, people would flock to Chevrolet. This way you would have a range of vehicles to fit the needs and wants of just about everyone. And just think, this is just the Chevrolet Level.
GM should move the Corvette to Cadillac, have Cadillac the brand that will compete against cars like AMG, BMW-M, Audi-S line and Jaguar/Land Rover SVR and let Buick compete against cars such as Lexus & Hyundai’s Genesis lineup.
GM also needs to incorporate a few of the Aftermarket performance companies, along with wheel options, stereo options, and cosmetic options into it’s GM performance and GM Accessories brand. Only the high quality American brands should be considered since GM is an American company. GM could honestly crush the rest of the market here in the united states, Ford would be an easy target to crush but they could seriously out do FCA with a lineup like this and I haven’t even went into detail about Buick and Cadillac or GMC. Oh the endless possibilities and countless ideas.
Yet Chrysler will either be shut down or sold off.
The RWD cars they have may not even be replaced as the are not selling in great numbers compared to most CUV lines and they are sold at such rebates that profits are limited
They do generate great publicity but that is about it.
Also performance is not what it once was as my favorite cars are at risk.
What unfortunately sells and makes money are the boring every day vehicles that are affordable, get good mpg, reliable and have great utility.
Car companies want models that sell 175,000 and 250,000 units not 60,000 units unless they are expensive.
Sadly performance has become mostly a limited profit market. Development cost are so high and the volumes are just to low.
It is not like the old days when a GTO was an added 145,000 units to a 250,000 units of a Lemans.
IIHS has singled out headlights in their ratings and since safety is the number priority in GM, have the best headlights should be a level 1 spec for all vehicles.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/more-than-half-of-midsize-suv-headlights-tested-rate-marginal-or-poor
It would also give GM a competitive advantage
The IIHS are publicity wh0resThey like to t off on things that make headlines but fail to deliver on all the facts.
All GM headlights are DOT approved and exceed their standards.
Even the worst lights are more than able to safely light a road clearly and meet any customers needs.
To be honest Chevy could do better replacing the hard plastic inside if they really want a competitive advantage.
D-Optic LED tech is a Chevy branding thing. All Chevys should have these at the very least on top end trims and be available at lower levels. Fail.
HID’s are great but LED tech should last longer and are a lot more power efficient which goes towards fuel efficiency. I’m sure this product was in development just as long as the Traverse was, so no excuse. Would like to see the person responsible on Autoline so he can be asked why.
You may save voltage but just changing lights alone will not improve mpg. Like I explained above going led would cut a little weight but it still would take collective weight of a number of items to make a dent in mpg.
I wish they would go on Autoline so they could explain the many thing you do not consider that goes into decisions like this.
Was surprised as the 2019 Malibu Premier has full LED / the 2019 Traverse and Equinix have full LED in premier model. It would make sense to do full LED in RS and Premier and HID in lower trims. The Equinox and Traverse both do that. Just weird I am sure 2020 will change this feature for sure.