absolutely! Auto Review

By Steve Kursar

2021 CHEVROLET BLAZER

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer symbolizes the rebirth of an iconic GM vehicle from the 1970s and 80s. It’s the same name, but it’s a totally different vehicle. The new Blazer is an up-to-date mid-size crossover offering the latest safety technology along with three different engine options designed to appeal to a range of car buyers. It looks fantastic, it turns heads and it’s fun to drive. It’s destined to attract a slew of buyers.

The original Chevy Blazer was a tough body-on-frame four-wheel drive SUV. Introduced 1968, it was a no-nonsense, tough vehicle built to compete with the Ford Bronco and the International Harvester Scout. All three of those original models are now sought after by collectors because of their simple design, durable engineering and retro “cool factor.” They’re hard to find and pricey if you do come across one.

The 2021 Blazer shares a name with the original but nothing else. The new version is a crossover designed to stay mostly on the highway although it can handle a little bit of dirt just not too much. A new base Blazer L trim comes with an MSRP of $28,800. Three very different engines are available depending on the trim. The standard powertrain is a 193 hp, 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission. It gets respectable fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Choose a higher Blazer trim and you can opt for the peppier 227 hp, 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder that gets slightly better fuel economy than the base engine.

The really fun to drive Blazer is the top-of-the-line RS that’s equipped with a 308 hp, 3.6 liter V6 under the hood. Along with wider tires, the RS also comes with enhanced styling features to give this crossover a more aggressive look. This is the one that gets the double take when you’re driving down the road. Truthfully, it gets a bit of goosenecking from those slightly senior guys who either wanted one in the 80s or have fond memories of their Bronco from the good ole days.

The interior takes a lot of design cues from the Chevy Camaro performance two-seater, which lends a sporty feel to the cockpit. As expected, the new Blazer is awfully roomy with fold-flat rear seats to really open the cargo space. The Chevy Safety Assist package with all the latest driver assistance technology features comes standard on almost all the trims.

The 2021 Chevy Blazer may not look or drive like its iconic predecessor, but it does hold up as a worthy successor.