Retro Review Shows How Much The Chevrolet Blazer Has Changed: Video
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When GM announced it would bring back the Chevrolet Blazer, many offroad fans rejoiced that the automaker would manufacture a genuine offroad vehicle that is a true rival to the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and upcoming Ford Bronco. What we got instead was a crossover that shares its underpinnings with the GMC Acadia, has Camaro-inspired styling, and doesn’t belong on anything off the beaten path.
1989 Chevrolet K5 Blazer SUV
But the Chevrolet Blazer wasn’t always a pretty face with a rugged name. There was a time when the Blazer was an actual truck that used a body-on-frame construction and was powered by a good-old stompin’ V8 fitted with a “bulletproof” 4×4 system. The Blazer was the Ford Bronco rival. In fact, the Blazer K5 was pretty much pickup truck with a cab over the bed.
1989 Chevrolet K5 Blazer SUV
In this retro review, John Davis from Motorweek walks around the boxy, truck-based K5 Chevrolet Blazer from 1989. Extra points for his jacket!
While the new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer rides on the GM C1 front-wheel-drive architecture, with its engine sitting in a transverse configuration, the 1989 Chevrolet Blazer had a longitudinal setup that sent power to the rear wheels first.
Interestingly enough, the enormous 5.7-liter V8 engine only developed 210 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the current Blazer’s base engine, the naturally aspirated 2.5L LCV I4 makes 193 horsepower, 17 less than the 5.7L V8, while the optional 3.6L LGX V6 churns out 270 pound-feet of torque. What’s more, while the new Blazer utilizes the new GM 9-speed automatic gearbox, the 1989 Blazer – which was simply a pickup truck with a cab – relies on a GM four-speed automatic unit.
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer SUV
But the best part of this Retro Review is when Davis mentions the Blazer’s price, saying that at $20,669, it isn’t “cheap.” That equals roughly $36,000 in today’s dollars. Meanwhile, a fully-loaded 2019 Chevrolet Blazer Premier kicks off at $43,895.
2019 Chevrolet Blazer crossover
After the Blazer K5 was discontinued, it became the Chevrolet Tahoe, leaving the Blazer name for a smaller body-on-frame SUV, which is what the market demanded. And now, the Blazer has become a crossover, which also follows market demand. My, how the times have changed.
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No.
You completely left off the S-10 Blazer. Which coexisted ALONGSIDE the full-size K5 for years.
S 10 never much of anything another under powered GM V6 wtf.
Well, what the new Blazer needed to be was an off shoot of the Colorado (body on frame).
I expect a mid size SUV K5 but you may have to make do with 4 doors.
The sales of 4 door Wranglers over the two doors is telling. I never thought the 4 door would sell but it is killing the standard Wrangler.
The market doesn’t demand it. Where is the years of media buzz and anticipation for this Blazer as the Bronco has garnered? It is what O’Barra deems is needed. She has killed GM future as a manufacturer of automobiles the public wants.
That’s a radio controlled toy in picture? What do past Blazer owners drive today?
Tahoe’s and Crew Cabs or wheel chairs because they are old.
yes the orange photo above is a traxxas tr-4 remote vehicle, but i still love my 1990 blazer all redone.
The K5 is still available (it’s called Tahoe).
Yes, I get it id like to see a RCSB Silverado with a covered rear seating area called K5 or (more realistic) a Colorado-based SUV carry the torch.
GM moved 11,000 Blazers last quarter, that’s a better quarter then the Ranger and Gladiator’s launch quarter, it’s foolish not to be in the market.
The GMC Jimmy I believe is supposed to be the off-roader, we’ll see.
The original Chevrolet Blazer and the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer shares only the same name; but if there’s a demand, it’s possible that Chevrolet engineers could redesign the current Blazer.. especially if the Blazer was equipped with 3.0L Duramax 6-cylinder diesel capable of producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque (from the Chevy Silverado).
The in line 6 will or fit a transverse model.
The mid size K5 would see a Turbo 4 diesel like the Colorado,
I wish one of the big 3 would come out with something similar to my ’99 2 Door 4×4 Tahoe.. instead of all these lame CUV’s
I owned a steel blue ’89, with a white top and white bottom panel. She was a beauty, and got me everywhere I needed to go. Sold it for a very good price 12 years later after 275,000 miles on the same engine.
If they built the same truck with modern guts and electronics, I’d buy it.
I’ve bought GM most of my life, but as they continue to build their cars overseas there is less of a reason to stay with them.
So does Ford and FCA…
No, I’m not letting GM off the hook but let not pretend other Detroit makers manure don’t smell…
I’ve never personally owned a Blazer, but… as a former owner of an 84 GMC Suburban K25 factory stick shift TRUCK (no emissions from the factory- was not a “passenger vehicle”) & a current owner of a 97 K1500 Suburban – it seems like every time they redesign these, they go backwards. My 84 was stock with a 305 V8 & SM465 “Granny-Low” trans, semi floating 14 bolt rear axle & beefed up 10 bolt front (I don’t remember that nomenclature) – which would just about pull an apartment building off its foundation!! My 97, while it has the cushy ride all the women like now (not to mention the other gee gaws) is a lot less of a truck. I had been looking forward to the new Blazer… & then I read about it & saw it. Frankly, you couldn’t give me that piece of junk for free!
GOD, what I wouldn’t give to get my 84 back – swiss cheese body panels & all!!
I loved that series of suburban vehicles. They didn’t keep 4×4 model’s in stock here like they do now. You can could order that vehicle anyway you wanted. I always got the pie wagon doors on the back. When I decided to order the manual stick version my salesman begged me not to. Finally I gave in and got the automatic which went out around 90k. Did get a 4 speed in a 86 Ramcharger
Mine had the barn doors as well – I never cared for the tailgate, they all rotted out around here & had lots of window issues as well.
My 84 – I ended up building a motor for – somebody at sometime had a starter issue & broke the mounting ear off the block. While it had been welded back on, it wasn’t done right… it ended up breaking again & I figured that if I had to pull it out (305), i may as well build something as it was pretty much a toy by then… 425hp 383 stroker!! Full length ceramic coated headers, all new stainless dual exhaust… i also picked up a set of 35x14x16 Baha tires on wagon wheels.. no lift (all heavy duty springs – stock) & due to all of the rust – a set of Bushwacker cut out fender flares.
Square body mid 70’s 4×4 w/350 4 barrel 4 speed tuff as nails. Still dependable, fun to drive on and off roading!!! Did I say 300k plus miles, gysot !!!!