Chevy’s 2019 Blazer More Expensive Than Some Competitors
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Chevrolet’s resurrected 2019 Blazer is looking to capitalize on the growing midsize crossover segment, but the hot looks of the new midsizer will not come cheap. In fact, when the new Blazer begins arriving at dealers in early January, it will be pricier than some direct rivals, while offering less than equally-priced competitors.
First, a quick review of the trim level and pricing structures: the 2019 Blazer will be available in the following trim levels: L, LT (simply called Blazer), RS, and Premier. The base L model starts at $29,995. Chevrolet has yet to announce pricing for other trims.
Now, let’s look at that $29,995 starting price point: though the figure is highly consistent with the starting price points of other mainstream mid-size crossovers like the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, a deeper analysis reveals several competitive disadvantages.
| 2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER | 2019 FORD EDGE | 2019 NISSAN MURANO | 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 2019 KIA SORENTO | 2019 GMC ACADIA | 2019 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 2019 HONDA PASSPORT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STARTING MSRP: | $29,995 | $29,995 | $31,270 | $25,500 | $25,990 | $29,000 | $31,695 | TBA |
| SEATING CAPACITY (FRONT / REAR): | 5 (2 / 3) | 5 (2 / 3) | 5 (2 / 3) | 5 (2 / 3) | 7 (2 / 2 / 3) | 5 (2 / 3) OR 7 (2 / 3 / 2) | 5 (2 / 3) | 5 (2 / 3) |
| BASE ENGINE: | 2.5L I4 193 HP | 2.0L Turbo 245 HP | 3.5L V6 260 HP | 2.4L I4 185 HP | 2.4L 185 HP | 2.5L I4 193 HP | 3.6L V6 295 HP | 3.5L V6 280 HP |
| BASE TRANSMISSION: | 9-SPEED AUTO | 8-SPEED AUTO | CVT | 8-SPEED AUTO | 6-SPEED AUTO | 6-SPEED AUTO | 8-SPEED AUTO | 9-SPEED AUTO |
- Pricing figures shown are starting MSRPs for base models. Selecting other trim levels, packages, options and features will cause the price to increase.
Underpowered
On one end of the spectrum is power. The Ford Edge is priced to start at $29,995 – the same as the Blazer. However, the Edge features a turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 engine as the base powerplant. That means that the Edge offers 52 horsepower more than the 2019 Blazer’s naturally-aspirated 2.5L I-4 LCV engine.
The story repeats itself for the Nissan Murano and Jeep Grand Cherokee, both of which have higher starting prices than the Blazer, but come standard with V6 engines making significantly more power than the base Blazer’s base engine. Though pricing for the 2019 Honda Passport hasn’t been revealed just yet, we expect the situation to be identical.
Underpriced
On the other end of the spectrum is that the Blazer is overpriced compared to the two Korean offerings: the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is all-new for the 2019 model year, and the Kia Sorento.
The starting price point of the Santa Fe is $4,495 lower than that of the Blazer, while that of the Sorento is lower by $4,005. Both offerings are very comparable to Blazer’s feature set, and the Hyundai even offers very similar styling.
The GM Authority Take
How any of the aforementioned factors will impact the commercial success of Chevy’s upcoming midsize CUV is anyone’s guess. For now, two thing are for sure. First, Chevy is charging Ford, Jeep and Nissan prices for Kia and Hyundai levels of power. Second, the 2019 Blazer is entering a hotly-contested segment that is expected to become even more competitive, with Volkswagen already planning a midsize crossover offering of its own.
Those two circumstances, combined with some negative perception associated with Mexico-based production, tell us that the Blazer will need all the good fortune it can get to succeed.
The Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is currently Chevrolet's second-biggest CUV, slotting between the compact Chevrolet Equinox and full-size Chevrolet Traverse. The current model was introduced for the 2019 model year and represents the fifth generation of the Blazer nameplate, which dates back to 1969. The model rides on the regular-wheelbase variant of the GM C1 platform shared most directly with the second-gen GMC Acadia and first-gen Cadillac XT5. The long-wheelbase variant of the same platform is shared with the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and Cadillac XT6. The 2019 Blazer flaunts attention-grabbing exterior design, seamlessly integrated customer-focused technologies and superb functionality. Many of the exterior and interior design elements are borrowed from the sixth-generation Camaro. The 2019 Blazer range consists of four trim levels, including the base L, three mid-tier Blazer trim levels (consisting of three LT trims), the sporty Blazer RS and the range-topping Blazer Premier trim. New technology offered on the 2019 Blazer includes capless fuel fill, HID headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a Cargo Management System. Under the hood are two engine options: the base 2.5L I4 LCV and the optional 3.6L V6 LGX. Both motors are mated to the GM 9-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts at the $29,995. The Chevrolet Blazer is built at the GM Ramos Plant by GM Mexico.
About Chevrolet Blazer
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And this is what GM thinks is going to keep me as a customer after they kill off all their cars. LOL
Made in Mexico- check
Higher prices the moment you move up from the virtually non existent base L model- check
Lowest powered engine from all but Hyundai/Kia competitors- check
Lack of LED headlight technology- check
Lack of advanced safety equipment even on higher trim levels as std fare- check
No stop/start disable- check
Fisher price interior materials- a huge possibility
And i’m not at all a fan of the squished rear window styling or the tiny squinty headlights so it’s exterior design doesn’t even resonate with me. Yes calling this a Blazer is indicative of how far out of touch with reality Barra really is!