Five Things The Chevrolet Blazer Could Learn From The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
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The impacts of COVID-19 notwithstanding, many mainstream auto brands are enjoying strong sales of three-row utilities in the United States, and many are seeing potential in the midsize, five-passenger utility segment, aiming to please empty nesters who no longer need a large SUV, but still appreciate the versatility and capability such a vehicle provides. In that category, General Motors offers the Chevrolet Blazer in addition to the GMC Acadia, which now have a new rival to deal with – the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
To develop the Cross Sport, the German brand seems to have stolen a page out of GM’s playbook. Using the same MQB platform and mechanical components from the “regular” three-row Atlas, the Atlas Cross Sport bolts on a slightly redesigned body and removes the third-row seat, creating a new two-row model in its lineup that didn’t cost much to engineer. Now that the VW Atlas Cross Sport is hitting the market, could the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer learn a few things that its new German/American adversary excels at? Absolutely.
1. Interior Room
First off, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is much bigger inside than the Blazer, since it rides on the exact same wheelbase as its three-row Atlas counterpart. Meanwhile, the Blazer uses the shorter version of the GM C1 platform, making it smaller than the three-row Chevrolet Traverse. The Cross Sport benefits from more legroom and shoulder room, while its cargo volume is rated at 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks upright, and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Blazer, by comparison, manages 30.5 and 64.2 cubic feet in the same conditions.
2. Towing Capacity
Properly equipped, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer can tow up to 4,500 pounds, while the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can pull a maximum of 5,000 pounds. Sure, both metrics are pretty close, but it could make the purchase difference for some crossover buyers who frequently tow a trailer.
3. Pricing & Base Powertrain
At $29,995 (including freight), the Blazer carries a lower base price than the Cross Sport’s $31,565. However, for that sum, the Chevy is equipped with the 193-horsepower, 2.5-liter LCV inline-four, while the base engine in the VW is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four rated at 235 horses. To get the Blazer’s 230-horse, turbo-charged 2.0-liter LSY inline-four to match the Cross Sport, buyers must move up to the 2LT trim level, which starts from $33,995.
4. Active Safety Features
If there’s one area where the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer seriously lags behind the VW Atlas Cross Sport, it’s in the active safety feature department. Every trim level of the VW gets forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. By comparison, the frontal collision avoidance systems are only available on the Blazer’s two highest-end trim levels – RS and Premier, and as part of the Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II Package, meaning a minimal investment of $45,270. Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert is available from the 1LT trim, which means spending at least $35,340.
5. Warranty
Finally, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, while the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer’s comprehensive coverage is limited to 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. To GM’s defense, its limited powertrain warranty is longer, at 5 years or 60,000 miles.
And to those keeping track of this sort of thing, the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are built at the company’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, while the Blazer is assembled at the GM Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico.
Does the Cross Sport have anything to learn when compared to the Blazer? The Chevy’s most noticeable advantages concern fuel economy and handling. Case in point, the Blazer delivers city/highway/combined ratings of 21/28/24 mpg for models with the turbocharged 2.0L engine and front-wheel drive, and 19/26/21 mpg with the range-topping 3.6-liter LGX V6 engine. The 2.0L FWD Cross Sport is rated at 21/24/22 mpg, while the V6 nets averages of 17/23/19 mpg – both lower than those of the Chevrolet. And, as those who have driven the Blazer know full well, the vehicle can handle itself very well, particularly in the twisties, almost to the point of being spirited, engaging and fun-to-drive.
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I like the Blazer, the packaging is just all wrong for me. I also like the Cross Sport but for me… it’s too big.
Ok, I love my Blazer RS, but I want wireless CarPlay, and an even better handling package option, along with an SS version, preferably with V8 or at least TTV6. Give consumers more performance options GM!
would you buy one? there is no market for SS versions of this car with a V8.
Yes I would have bought an SS version! I will say that it needs a rear wheel drive only mode or a way to enable sport mode all wheel drive all the time without having to do manual selection!
A TTV6 is more likely. A V8 will never happen. GM could easily update the transverse LF3 that was in the Cadillac XTS-V to make a Blazer SS. Also give the Blazer SS the brakes and suspension from the recently discontinued Regal GS. It would sell. Sport and performance crossovers are popular and GM is missing out
Well a 5.3 fit into the old, lighter W-cars. I’d love to see a Blazer SS with one, plus a NA V8 will be more reliable than a ttv6.
GM doesnt offer the value so many other competitors provide… if they would just throw in some extras, I think folks would see greater value for their dollars… GM is so incredibly cheap…
This is why the Blazer is overprice by at least $5,000. Still take the Blazer. “Its a Chevy”
The 6 lesson the Chevy Blazer can learn from VW Atlas, Style VW design their Cross over with just that in mind instead of taking cues from the Chevy Camaro which is why the package don’t work well. I don’t even care for Imports 2 of my neighbors has 1 I”d buy the VW over the Chevy which I haven’t seen many of on the road.
7 build it in Tennessee.
GMC Acadia, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac CT6 built in Tennessee
The VW model CUV’s are not exactly setting the market on fire.
They lack in many areas.
With the incentives the Blazer does just fine.
It’s Sad Chevy even calls this a Blazer 😔
Why? The old blazer didn’t have some long historic run, it went from a full size, to a mid size to a watered down version. Nothing special about the name, it fits better here as well as selling better than some special built off roader. Let’s see how long the Bronco does well because already the Gladiator is losing its juster…
For you to be comparing the Blazer or Bro co historic name plate with that of a jeep gladiator shows how much you know about the automotive world. The Bronco will be a big hit because Ford built a truck chassis and a crossover model now sit back watch and see which one sells the most. My money is on the RWD Bronco model to outsell the over priced Gladiator & Front Wheel Drive Blazer / Trailblazer duo 😜
Yes, everyone in America want to have a solid axle 4x4s to live the off-road life in the forest to look for animals to booger….
They wouldn’t be CUVs if “everyone” wanted one, if that’s the case the 4Runner and Wrangler would be #1.
The Wrangler IS #1 as it competes with about zero others. The 4Runner is Ooooolllllllllddddd, yet sells very well especially the Limited. CUV’s are a sweet spot so EVERY maker goes there. Yet Toyota has a great body on frame platform that’s long paid for and has a loyal following so they keep it fresh and relevant. GM has what 2 FWD platforms that nearly everything including the kitchen sink is based on… GM is so unimaginative and boring and cheap… Why has the Canyon and Colorado not been used for a REAL body on frame Blazer? Because they can market this POS off existing junk and call it a Blazer…
So it’s a POS because it’s fwd?. If that pressed for a GM 4wd get a ZR2 Colorado or Z71 Tahoe, Silverado, an AT4 GMC, GM have no shortage of 4x4s. Who cares if the Blazer can’t take rocks, the last ones didn’t.
The S10 just needs lockers, super swampers, and a lift to do good on a trail. How do you make a ¨C1¨ blazer do good on a trail?
yep, even the s10 blazer was classic and cool, this new blazer is crossover crap and i have no beef with crossover, but this one is a big time joke, just truly awful.
I agree. I really like the Blazer styling inside and out.
The Interior Materials are just not good enough though. The 2.5 Needs to be dropped ASAP and in my opinion LED Headlights should be Standard.
It has HID’s which are better in some ways, especially those up north dealing with snow. You have zero idea if it has LED or HID lights if I were to put you 20 feet in front and have them turn on the lights. Don’t be a follow the leader and think because LED’s are the new “it” word in vehicles everything has to have them, they have downsides you know…
@commonsense
I am not a follow the leader person.
It is better Tech so it should be Standard on a car that costs what The Blazer costs.
I mean a Bare Bones Toyota Corolla has LED’s Standard as do many, many other much cheaper vehicles. Technology changes all the time and so should Standard Equipment change with the Times.
I am also the person that says Cadillac needs Laser Lights ASAP. GM is so far behind in the safety, Interior and Head Lights game. When we pay the prices we do we want the Best. I know us here are GM fans and that is typically what we all purchase but others look at all the competition and GM is lacking in some key areas.
GM is still learning albeit very slowly that some customers expect safety features in their vehicles as standard equipment regardless of model trim. If it’s a high end feature like Super Cruise that deserves a premium charge then charge accordingly but features that have been around for years should be made standard across the board then you advertise it as such.
This comment is right-on. Safety first should be GM’s benchmark. I am an owner of a Traverse & Enclave, but safety features I feel are a need, can only be found on the top end models. Please think about the customers safety .
And THAT is GM’s strategy, because the do not care about their customers. The only way for you to get these safety features is spend more money… whereas if GM made them all standard on every model, (at an absolute minimum add them to ALL Cadillac’s, standard) while increasing the price of each vehicle, marginally to cover some of that cost, I think GM would increase sales to more than cover that cost. I imagine their filthy bean counters have done that math so I’m likely wrong, but what dividends would it earn? It would increase good will, probably lower marketing costs and make their vehicles higher content a better value. To me that’s a win win…
Or one can learn to be competent with their driving abilities and not look to be over reliant on safety tech! Forcing safety tech on consumers drives up the cost for everyone. Maybe they should modify their trims so that no matter what trim one goes for they can add whatever safety tech they want so those of us who don’t want any of those gimmicks don’t have to pay for them.
BigSlezy – don’t have to pay for them – fully agree, so make them standard. I’m sure you’re really not that good of a driver anyway….
I learned to drive in Germany and had a German license when I lived there for many years. So I know about what proper standards can do for many.
No you didn’t…
No point in arguing with you about a place I lived. You do not know me. However you care so much about safety I won’t roast you because I don’t want you to go back to your safe space in tears.
I beg to differ, safety is the responsibility for the person operating the vehicle at any said time. Their job is to sell a product that happens to meet all federal current regulations. They do this and if one wants more safety then y’all can pay for those features. Don’t pass it on to everyone making all new cars more expensive because of statistically irrelevant incidents like running over infants or leaving them in cars. I had a Tahoe that I rented for work have a chime that reminded me to look in the backseat for my kids (my co-workers were in the back). It was laughable at best to me. I digress.
CROSSSPORT MADE IN THE USA. BLAZER MADE IN MEXICO. America you decide which car really supports your country. That’s really the argument that tops the cake. The CROSSSPORT is better in every way, it’s not too hard to look at both vehicles and say wow the VW looks more aggressive and capable.
Haha, you do realize the VW is a foreign company right? Do you have any idea how business and finances work? Just because it is built here doesn’t mean the money magically stays here, it all flows back to Germany. Is it weren’t for the money grubbing UAW wanting to pay uneducated workers $40 an hour to put in a few screws on a door with a machine they could afford to build them here. Foreign manufacturers are having to go up against the pay the UAW demands. Besides, pretty much anyone shopping one of these vehicles have any idea where it is built. Atleast buying GM the money stays in the US and gets allocated out. Next time please do some research before speaking, it will bode better for you and everyone that is reading it…
At the end of the day who does VW provide jobs for? Oh that’s right they provide jobs for Americans.
Obviously VW is a German brand but still why is an American nameplate being built in Mexico? Same goes for the Silverado/Sierra
Lot’s of vehicles are built in Mexico (eg. Jetta, Golf, Tiguan, Audi Q7)
Easier to just buy a Cadillac. All the Cadillac’s now sold in the U.S. are built in the U.S.
Thank you Peter G for letting the people know VW’s are still made in Mexico. I hope Mike Deslauriers make a note of that.
Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota, BMW, VW, Hyundai, Kia, up until now Nissan, and a couple others are foreign owned but build vehicles here in the US. Every single BMW SUV, I believe, is made in SC for global consumption. These plants create jobs for Americans, they also employ support companies, they pumped billions into the local economies of the towns and states where they are located. The construction of one of these plants results in hundreds of millions if not billions of spending and the resulting jobs are likely VERY long term. Any “tax” breaks that might have given away are hypothetical taxes. Remember no tax would be paid at all if the plant wasn’t there so the income, real estate, sales and other taxes paid absolutely pump revenue into the economies regardless of the “incentives”.
Here is a great article from 2009: https://www.forbes.com/2009/05/27/auto-manufacturing-detroit-business-unions.html#1c24c6d712e0
@xjug
While I hear and somewhat agree with what you are saying, the issue is those jobs are NOT UAW jobs. None of them are. Our very own Government (both sides) have sold out Ford, Chrysler, and GM for many decades now. They allowed these Auto Makers to come in our own Back yard so to speak but not have to Unionize. That completely put and continues to put our Big Three in a HUGE disadvantage right off the bat right in their own back yard.
Now I am not a Huge Union person per say at all. I have nothing against or for them. I am indifferent to Unions. I am not in a field that is Unionized or ever has fought to be Unionized. So I personally have no skin in this game. All I am saying is to level the playing field but the Government turns a blind eye and they are the ones that made this mess to begin with.
All these States (Mostly Southern States) decided it would be a swell of an idea to not only make them Non-Unionized workers but they also handed out Crazy Tax subsidies like they were handing out Tic Tacs. Now our Big Three are in a battle on their own Turf where it shouldn’t have gone down like that. Either get rid of the UAW altogether in the States or force any Auto Maker building cars in this Country to sign up with the UAW. Has to be a fair Playing Field in my honest opinion.
Your comment is quite relevant but its also yet another reason to de-certify the UAW. The other mfrs are living proof the employees do not need a union. You are correct also that for GM/Ford & FCA and Hyundai, Toyota and many others to make the exact same vehicle the American companies are at a disadvantage.
The American companies make less on the exact same vehicle and thus for GM, they just don’t make one thats as good or competitive, thus their dramatic market share losses in the last 30 years. So should the other employees who do not want a union be “forced” to join one… no, the opposite, G/F/FCA need to be freed of the mess that is the union. The UAW cost GM Billions in their strike that was totally unnecessary… now GM is hurting even more due to the virus. No one in America pays 3% for their healthcare except GM/F/FCA employees, why shouldn’t they pay more. There is no free lunch, except in a UAW Job Bank…
At least GM still puts real exhaust outlets on their vehicles and does not fake it. One can only get real tips if they buy high end German vehicles these days. I guess they are trying to get people ready for the giant RC car era or they are just super cheap. At least GM does not put the same 2.0 i4 engine with different computer programs in every vehicle in the corporate portfolio like the VW group does.
You realize GM does the SAME EXACT THING with their 2.7 4 Banger and 3.6V6?
Okay wow exhaust pipes is the best argument you can give? Put these two vehicles side by side. Look at the capabilities in the two, the two interiors are also vastly different.
I own GM vehicles a GMC and a Chevy. Both made here in America.
Leased a VW Passat back in 2013, the Malibu just didn’t cut it. Nothing innovative about the interior, not great gas mileage, not great performance.
So you own and trust GM vehicles and plan to keep them long term. Meanwhile the Passat you would only lease so it was under warranty the entire time you had it.
Confidence.
We all know GM price their autos so they can offer big incentives to them. add the $3,000 to $4,000 to the saving at end of price and the GM auto will be a lot less than VW. This is the way GM markets its products.
Awful car. VW can’t design a decent vehicle.
Actually I rather like the exterior styling of the VW, & from the picture, that is a very nice looking interior on the VW….And I never thought I’d say something like that, since I’ve been GM since forever.
My wife drives a Atlas. Lots of road noise on the freeway.
GM offer some nice vehicles but if you want more for your money GM is not the place to get it. I understand not wanting to lose money on vehicles. What I don’t understand is losing sales because your vehicles don’t compete value wise.
I am by no means a sales or marketing expert but I do believe if they offered a comparable equipped vehicle at the same price point as the competition they would be money ahead. I’m not just talking the Blazer but with every vehicle they make.
I hate the blazer. If I ever buy one I will rip the blazer script off.
Do you have the vehicle or the name on that particular vehicle?
I am assuming the fact that it is called a blazer.