Last year, GM Authority exclusively reported that General Motors was working on a three-row version of the new Chevrolet Blazer for the Chinese market. Well, three-row Blazer recently launched in China, so we have compiled a list of the five most significant differences between the three-row and two-row Blazer models.
To note, the two-row Blazer is available in the U.S. Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, and some parts of South America. Meanwhile, the three-row Blazer is only sold in China.
Three-row Blazer
Two-row Blazer
1. Exterior Dimensions
The most obvious difference between the new three-row Chevrolet Blazer and the standard version concerns their dimensions. Although the seven-seat Blazer uses the same 112.7-inch wheelbase variant of the GM C1 platform as the two-row model, it’s 5.4 inches longer (196.8 inches), 0.28 inches wider (76.9), and 1.34 inches taller (68.3) than the five-seat version.
| Dimension | Three-Row Blazer | Two-Row Blazer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length (in / mm): | 196.8 / 4999 | 191.4 / 4862 | +5.4 / +137 |
| Width (in / mm): | 76.9 / 1953 | 76.7 / 1946 | +0.28 / +7 |
| High (in / mm): | 68.3 / 1736 | 67 / 1702 | +1.34 / +34 |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 112.7 / 2863 | 112.7 / 2863 | 0 |
The additional length of the three-row Blazer is mostly a result of a longer rear overhang and a longer roofline, which tapers less aggressively than that of the two-row Blazer. As a result, the three-row Blazer has different proportions that also include larger rear doors with a redesigned top section, a bigger rear-quarter window between the C and D pillars, as well as a more upright tailgate.
2. Interior
As you might expect, the three-row Chevrolet Blazer’s longer body has a direct impact on its interior. The longer exterior footprint allow the Chinese-market Blazer to gain a third row of seats, expanding its seating capacity to seven passengers (versus a maximum of five passengers in the two-row Blazer). In addition, the maximum cargo space of the three-row model is 69.6 cubic feet, 5.4 cubic feet more compared to the 64.2 cubic feet of the two-row model.
While the design and location of dashboard elements are practically the same as those of the North American model, it should be noted that the Chevrolet Blazer’s floating central touchscreen for China has a rectangular frame and a diagonal size of 10 inches – as opposed to the hexagonal frame and 8-inch display of its two-row counterpart. The larger screen size also altered the layout of the surrounding buttons.
3. Powertrain
The two Chevrolet Blazer variants have notable differences in the powertrain department. While the North American model offers three engine choices, including two naturally aspirated units (the 2.5L I4 LCV and 3.5L V6 LGX) as well as the turbo-charged 2.0L I4 LSY, the three-row Blazer is offered with only one motor – the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY. All engines are mated to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
4. Trim Levels
The three-row Chevrolet Blazer sold in China is offered in three trim levels – base, Redline and RS, with all three trims emphasizing the crossover’s sporty character. Meanwhile, the two-row Blazer in the United States is available in five trim levels – base, LT (with 1LT, 2LT and 3LT equipment levels), the sporty RS and luxurious Premier.
5. Market Availability
Currently, each version of the Chevrolet Blazer is manufactured in a specific plant to supply different markets. The two-row Blazer is assembled at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, from where it is exported to the United States, Canada, as well as most Latin American and the Middle East. Meanwhile, the seven-seat, three-row Blazer is manufactured at the GM Jinqiao plant exclusively for China.
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Comments
The infotainment system is different in the China version. It has a larger screen in the center stack.
Will never ever buy another GM product again!
So why are you following GMAuthority?
I agree with Mathew. Americans bailed GM out of bankruptcy and GM now make the new Blazer in Mexico. By the way. The Jeep Cherokee is a great vehicle and is made in the USA.
How about you catch up with others GM and bring the 10 inch screen here as well?
General Motors of Shanghai developed the Chevrolet Blazer as it was labeled as the FRN-X as the desire for a Blazer with 3 rows probably began there and is reason why China will get access to the new variant of the Blazer; one has to wonder whether China’s market get a Hybrid variant for better fuel mileage.
That’s not actually the case, as it turns out.
The FNR-X actually previewed the Chevrolet Menlo EV… not the Blazer.
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/02/all-new-chevrolet-menlo-ev-officially-launches-in-china/
The Blazer 2-row and Blazer 3-row were developed in North America. China had little input from an engineering standpoint, even though they “ordered” the product.
This 3-row Blazer7 would do really well in the USA, slotting between the 2-row Blazer5 and Traverse. Is there a reason why GM won’t consider building and selling this variant in North America?
What would the 3-row Blazer do that the Traverse does not already do?
It’s an either-or affair – the 3-row Blazer would cannibalize the Traverse, and the Traverse would do the same with the 3-row Blazer. The only reason the Traverse is not offered in China is that it’s too big of a car.
Alex – several friends of mine with children looked at the Traverse and said it was way too big and the Blazer5 too small so they went elsewhere. Two families got a Toyota Highlander while one family got a Honda Pilot and another the Subaru Ascent. This is clearly a case of Goldilocks where the longer 3-row Blazer7 would do really well in a “white space” that the shorter 2-row Blazer5 and ginormous Traverse cannot satisfy.
GM already has the product available and is losing untapped sales to other brands. Alap adding the Blazer7 would strength the Blazer brand and awareness.
Buick should consider the same with the Chinese Enclave that’s built on this Blazer7 platform and add that model to its bigger Enclave family in the USA.
Buick is a different story, since there exists a rather considerable gap between the Envision and North American-market Enclave.
As of this moment, I am not aware of any plans to market the Chinese-market Enclave outside the Chinese domestic market.
Those who think the Traverse is “too big” can always consider the GMC Acadia, as it more along the lines of the Highlander and Ascent.
For the most part, American shoppers prefer more space (not less) – so the size of the Traverse is often considered a benefit, rather than a demerit. Of course, there are some outliers, but those outliers do not represent the majority.
Ultimately, it would be very difficult to make a business case for the three-row Blazer for the U.S. market so long as the two-row Blazer and Traverse are sold alongside it. One of those two would have to go for the three-row Blazer to “work”.
The problem with GMC dealerships is that they are far and few between whereas Chevy dealerships are more prevalent and convenient. Location of dealerships are a big factor in the purchase of a new car. My parents, for example, have been loyal Audi owners for over 30 years because the Audi dealership is only 2.5 miles from their house. But I digress. For these Crossover buyers seeking a tidy 7-seater package, the Toyota Highlander hits the sweet spot and that’s why Toyota has retained its Goldilocks size with each major redesign. So GM is missing out on all those Highlander owners who could have bought a 3-row Blazer7 if it were available.
What is really missing in GM’s lineup is a Colorado based SUV that has the towing capacity and also has the extra row of seats or interior cargo, I know too many people that want to get into a midsize SUV but need to towing for Camping. Right now I tow with my traverse but @ 5000# I am limited to a smaller camper (19′-21′) and that is pushing it. My wife refuses to struggle to climb into the Full size trucks and I don’t like them either, they are just too large for everyday use, so there is nothing for someone wanting to tow 5000-7000 lbs in GM’s Lineup. Like this 7 seat Blazer, I have seen a Colorado based SUV that was marketed in Thailand, why not bring that to the US Market (I don’t think it is a cannibalize the FST SUV’s, I think they made that mistake when they discontinued the Colorado midway through the last decade)
Do you need to at least offer this version for the US market. The higher end 2 row versions should have that bigger 10 inch display!
The three row needs a V-6 option at the minimum, preferably an even better option than offered in the two row version.
Because I can follow whatever I like. Just like I can buy whatever products I like.
What 3.5L V6 is this that’s offered in China? Also, it would be interesting to see a dimensional comparison between the 3-row Blazer and the current GMC Acadia.
Let me say this, I LOVE GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES! But the trailblazer is a disappointment to me because I was looking for something that was comparable to the ford explorer, something that reminding me of the older generation of trailblazer, the interior design is not up to par for General Motors on this vehicle. I always have to have a/c vents that blow directly into my face and this vehicle fails miserably on that issue. Which is sorta of out of General Motors style. Of course, I have owned GM vehicles all my life but maybe it is just the type of vehicles I have purchased. The s10 trailblazer 2 dr and 4 dr, the Tahoe’s and now this 2010 Escalade. I would buy them all if I had the money. This current Generation of Tahoe’s, I love. The next generation of Tahoe’s, Yukon and Escalade are fabulous and I would purchase all 3. As I said in previous comments if GENERAL MOTORS wants a test driver, I am your man!
No 3-row blazer for America
No Blazer SS in the cards (with a hot engine)
Just look at GM
It’s totally sad
They’re stuck in neutral
Not making cars and models that people really want
Corvette can’t save them
EVs won’t save them either – because they will end up making them with lackluster performance that no one will want
Plus given all the stuff going on with China they really need to pull out of China too
We don’t need to be funding China’s standard of living
I don’t want to buy a General Motors vehicles that was made in China over here! If I find out that to be true, I will have to be very selective.
My Tahoe’s I know were built in Texas. I am not sure about my Escalade but I will find out! Made in the USA or you won’t be bought!
The Blazer is ridiculous. The blazer name would be better applied on an offroad package for the tahoe. Tahoe ZRX blazer.