We’re Driving The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer – What Do You Want To Know?
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We’re spending the week with the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet’s latest two-row midsize crossover that’s positioned between the Equinox and the Traverse. The Blazer rides on the GM C1 platform shared with the GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5, but thanks to a unique implementation of the architecture, it has a front track that’s 158 mm wider than that of those models. Proportionally, it’s about the same height as an Equinox but is as roughly as wide as a Traverse, with the length fitting squarely between those two models.
Three gasoline engines are offered: the naturally-aspirated 2.5L LCV I4 rated at 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, the turbo-charged 2.0L LSY I4 good for 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, or the naturally-aspirated 3.6L LGX V6 which cranks out 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. All engines are mated to the GM nine-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front or all four wheels.
The Blazer sold in North America has two rows of seating for a maximum of five occupants. By comparison, the Chinese market blazer gets the three-row Blazer variant.
Our test unit is the high-end Blazer RS. It has the V6 LGX engine and a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system. Our model is painted in the optional Iridescent Pearl Tricoat ($995) color with Jet Black perforated leather interior, which comes standard on the RS model. Other highlights include:
- Black exterior accents, including black Chevy bowties, grille and lettering
- Red interior accents with RS badging
- Model-specific 20-inch wheels
- Gesture Power Liftgate
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus with Navigation and standard 8-inch diagonal color-touch screen
- Bose Premium Audio system
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist
Our Blazer is also fitted with the optional panoramic power sunroof ($1,565) for a final MSRP of $43,935. Starting price for a front-wheel-drive Blazer L (the base model), powered by the 2.5L LCV four-cylinder engine, is $29,995.
Due to its unibody construction and transverse engine configuration, this new Blazer is definitely not as capable off-road as its predecessors. Even so, it aims to fill an important niche for Chevrolet. The two-row midsize SUV segment is growing, with models like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, plus the Kia Sorento and the new Toyota Venza, vying to win the sale.
The Blazer aims at taking them on by offering a more aggressive appearance and a sportier driving experience. From some angles, one might say that it resembles a Chevrolet Camaro while still offering the practicality expected of an SUV crossover.
We will have the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer for a week, which will allow us to put it through the paces and determine just how it performs in the real world. So if you’d like to know more about this vehicle beyond the spec sheet, ask your questions in the comments section below, and we’ll reply in a timely manner as part of the GM Authority interactive review.
Also, please note that it might take us a day or two to get back to your with answers. With that said… ready…. set… go!
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Update: check out our answer to your questions right here.
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What’s the engine-tone in the cabin? Wheezy? Throaty? Quiet? Loud? Pleasant? Annoying?
All of the above…
What are GM/Chevy’s plans for a SS version? If there is/are plan/plans for offering a SS version, what are details? And… yes… I’m a happy owner of a pristine 2006 Trailblazer SS LOL Thanks!
Can you control the stopping of the motor turning off at red-lights and hills? what models if any?
Thank you.
“Can you control the stopping of the motor turning off at red-lights and hills? what models if any?”
Yes. There is a stop-start defeat switch. You can turn it off, but it comes back on at every ignition cycle… so if you really don’t want it to work, you will need to press that button every time you start the car.
I’ll answer that one, Dennis. There are no plans for a Blazer SS, or anything with higher performance than the 3.6L. See here for more details:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/chevy-blazer-ss-rumors-dont-get-your-hopes-up/
Why is the blazer so tight and snug fitting? Americans are NOT getting smaller.
I wouldn’t say it’s any shorter on space than any of its rivals. If you would like more space than offered by the Blazer, there’s always the Traverse.
Hasn’t the Blazer been around for awhile? How does it compare to the new Trailblazer?I think the Trailblazer is smaller than the Blazer ,am I correct?
Trailblazer is two size classes smaller than the Blazer.
Both the Blazer and Trailblazer are new, and have nothing in common with the vehicles that previously used the names.
Since you have the Blazer for a week, please track what type of gas mileage it gets. Want to see if real world driving is comparable to what is posted.
Thanks.
My only complaint with my 2020 Blazer Premier is that it is missing something we have gotten accustomed to on our cars for the last 10 years or so, IT DOES NOT HAVE RAIN SENSE WIPERS!
That’s true, Elroy. It seems that GM is reserving the Rainsense wipers feature for the Cadillac variant. This should be alleviated when the next-gen XT5 moves to a unique architecture, untying it from the rest of the lineup.
We currently lease a Cadillac XT5.
What about the noise level in the Blazer during long trips?
Does the Blazer have a “quiet” ride?
Also leasing an XT5 and considering the Blazer next time pros and cons other than the obvious price difference
Big step backwards in all aspects…
It’s an econo box.
However if that fits your needs, so be it.
Good luck with your discussion.
IMHO..
David: thank you for your question. William will answer your question shortly.
Scott ZL1: your loaded anti-Blazer agenda and statements have more holes than Swiss cheese.
First, do recognize that nobody is asking you about the car, which I doubt you have even driven (a minute around the dealer’s lot doesn’t count).
Second, the Blazer shares its 2.0L Turbo LSY and 3.6L LGX engines with the XT5, while riding on a newer (and better) version of the same platform. So it is far from being a “big step backwards in all aspects.” Why blow things way out of proportion? And if the Blazer is an “econobox,” then what does that make the XT5? A more expensive econobox?
I’ve noticed this to be a pattern with you: most of your comments serve no actual purpose than to belittle GM, the brand or the product in question, without any rhyme or reason. You seem to be just spreading hatred and bull. If you wish to preserve your commenting privileges, do consider this your first and only warning.
– Alex from GMA
I want this to be my next vehicle, so much so I am posting here.
How much outside noise seeps into the car while driving above 60mph? How smooth is the ride on semi bumpy roads.
I really like the new blazer, starting to see more of them around and they stand out in a sea of suvs. Have to say that the wheel set up on this particular unit in the article is not attractive though.
I waited for the 2020 Blazer since it has a disable button for the start/stop nonsense. I have a Bright Blue Metallic one on order with the gloss black 21″ wheels. I’m not fond of the looks of the standard 20″ wheels. I’m worried that the ride is going to be rough and the rims will get all scratched and bent due to the large amount potholes and deep ones to boot where I live here in Wayne County PA. I wish that it came in 17″ wheels which have more tire to soften the blow. So, let us know how the ride is with those wheels and hit a few pot holes for me. Lol!
Will the 2021 model finally offer driver assist on the LT trim level? I don’t like leather and do not want to spend $10,000 more on the RS or Premier trims to get driver assist that all competition has even on base models.
Would you think it’s a better upgrade going from the last generation equinox/terrain to the blazer in terms of size as it was a tweener sized on the last gen equinox?
I own a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer and I love it it is a quiet ride it gets 29.6 mi to the gallon when I travel between Springville and draper Utah a distance of 52 mi round trip on interstate 15 daily the car is very powerful the Camaro feeling is in the car. I want to see GM authority take the blazer off road and do a challenging trail compared against a Subaru or a Honda passport on same trail.
I own a Chevy Equinox Premier with the 2L and 9 Speed Transmission. Great combination. I’ve noticed this engine has been detuned from 250 horsepower to 230. Is it the same engine or a new engine. If so, why? The 2L used previously seemed to be a great combination with the 9 speed transmission. In addition, is this the base engine in the Camaro?
I have a 2019 Chevy Blazer 2 LT with a V6 engine outputting 308 HP and 270 Lb/Ft of torque. It will pull 4500 pounds. No turbo in my 2019 Blazer 2 LT. Pressing the gas pedal I experience instant acceleration and I love it! I test drove the Chevy Equinox Premier but I decided against it because I did not like the turbo lag that I experienced. The Blazer engine vs. the Equinox Premier engine seem very different to me.
Does the Blazer have articulating headlights that turn with the steering wheel?
No it does not, and I really miss those. We had them on the SRX and it is the greatest feature if your night driving is country roads.
i have the RS Blazer and I love it…the auto-stop doesn’t bother me so much as (at least in my opinion) it adapts to driving style…i wanted the 2020 for the disable feature, but the 19 is still badass
Anyone making any performance parts for this model? The RS has looks, but could use some improvements…
Can the disable feature be added to the ’19 model too?
Why don’t they offer it in a Police package to compete with the Ford Explorer?