The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is the hottest new crossover in a crowded game. And now, a recent comparison test by Car and Driver pitted Chevy‘s midsize crossover against its most direct competition – the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, new Honda Passport, and Hyundai Santa Fe. While the 2019 Blazer didn’t win, it didn’t lose it, either.
The new Blazer racked up a third-place finish out of five. It bested its crosstown rival, the Ford Edge, and the Nissan Murano, but lost to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport.
“Truth is, depending on your priorities, you could buy any of these elevated wagons and probably be happy,” Car and Driver wrote. “None are stinkers. None are single-task specialists.”
What’s interesting is exploring why Car and Driver placed the Blazer as it did. The publication enjoyed the Chevrolet Blazer and its astute handling, praising the crossover’s driving characteristics and overall performance. Demerits were a stiff ride, uncooperative downshifts from its nine-speed gearbox, and the high price tag, especially when compared to the Honda Passport.
In the test, the 2019 Blazer was the second quickest to 60 MPH from a standstill as well as the second-fastest through the quarter-mile. Interestingly, it was bested in both metrics by the Honda Passport.
Car and Driver gave the win to the Honda because of a confluence of factors, saying that the Passport hits all the right notes without forgetting the chorus. It combines utility, driving pleasure, and a reasonable price tag into one package. It may not be the best-handling offering among its peers, but buyers aren’t flocking to these types of vehicles for their track-day prowess. After all, midsize crossovers are meant to haul families, rather than win trophies at autocross events with an extra set of tires in the boot.
The Blazer’s third-place finish comes after winning two other recent comparison tests: Motor Trend picked the Blazer over the Passport, and an earlier Car and Driver comparison test had the new Chevrolet Blazer beating the Ford Edge, which it does in this more recent comparison as well.
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Source: Car and Driver
Comments
Car and Driver gave the win to the Honda because they are japanese-lovers. We know it.
Sean McElroy of Autoline.TV said the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer’s ride and handling was on target with the Blazer being surprisingly quiet on the freeway; further, McElroy said that the 2019 Chevy Blazer with optional 3.6L V6 was very responsive as this should suggest that the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer V6 (at $37,500) will be fun to drive.
I haven’t seen a Blazer with a sunroof yet… are they making them ? I would’ve thought that using Mexican labor – they would’ve been out at the beginning. Also shocking – no leather interior ???
Seems like GM could’ve put some content into the Blazer considering they are making it with less Peso’s…..
Toyota makes the majority of Tacomas in Mexico and they can’t even be bothered to replace the ancient drum brakes. All while charging $40k for a little midsize pickup riding on a platform that’s nearly 15 years old.
“It may not be the best-handling offering among its peers..”
It’s ironic that a publication that’s always been about the driving experience and placed an emphasis on handling, downplayed the Passport’s mediocre handling while giving it the nod.
The down fall of the Blazer is it is trying to be different.
The Blazer is not really a traditional SUV, it is a new hybrid that is trying to take a Camaro like handling and looks and melding them to make a more practical Camaro or more sport SUV.
Chevy gives up some cargo truckster like qualities for better looks and performance.
Is it fair to judge the Blazer with these others no but when you are in a class of one what else are they going to compare you To?
Chevy should garner a ton of sales here and others will look into this class and make the same sacrifices to garner sales.
Keep in mind the Nox was rated mid pack yet it is now second in class in sales.
Magazines are subjective but customers are always looking for the next new thing and the Blazer just may be it.
The handling you may want to note is not just on the Blazer. My Denali in sport mode is also fun to drive as is the XT5. This is a very good platform and the 5 link rear it is a slot performer.
And I quote: “It may not be the best-handling offering among its peers, but buyers aren’t flocking to these types of vehicles for their track-day prowess. After all, midsize crossovers are meant to haul families, rather than win trophies at autocross events with an extra set of tires in the boot.”
Funny how things change. Back in the 80’s and 90’s when at the Buick Cadillac GMC and Honda store, I vividly recall how the GM brands got beat up by publications (such as Car and Driver) for being very good overall but not handling like a Honda. Seems that GM just can’t do anything right when it comes to pleasing the auto enthusiast magazines. I just don’t get it and I never did. What exactly is it that makes so many people feel Honda is so good. I saw lots of issues and attitude with them as a company to the point that I’ll never buy one.
2019 Chevy Blazer RS – The Reborn Camaro SUV? | https://youtu.be/45AlGuSxJ-g
And yet, over at Motor Trend, it beat the Honda Pathfinder, so…
It would be nice if GM sent out a less compromised trim like a Premier or a V6 Leather. While I’m interested in the Blazer as a future family crossover, I have no interest in the RS trim with its bleak-looking interior and harsher sporty ride. I think the RS package is a detriment to the overall score in these comparisons.
I’m a little confused by your comment. Have you not been able find or see anything other than the Blazer RS, or are you saying they dont make them I’ve gotten several where I work currently a Premier and two V6 Leather Blazer’s. So they are out there just we sell them as fast as we get them.
I’m talking about GM sending Blazer RS models to every magazine review and comparison test. When you read the judging criteria and negative comments, that trim is not ideal against competitors focusing on comfort and posh interior trimmings.
Plus it would be nice to see impressions of other trim levels.
Blazer is way over priced the only way you get leather and heated seats and steering wheel with any safety features is paying over 45,000 or more there nuts I can get a jeep grand Cherokee with all those stuff for 33,000
As I read through the comments it’s amazing how ill informed some people are. While it is about 45k for a loaded out Blazer V6 Leather AWD to get a comparable Jeep Grand Cherokee you would have to get a “limited” 4X4 with all the options and you end up being 50k . Thats 5 Grand more than the Blazer. Over 50k if you go for the V8. The jeep starts @ 31,945 for a stripped down base model. So if your going to compare it to something at least know what your talking about.
maybe car and driver need to come back in one years with the total sale if the story be different.