The new Chevy Blazer RS AWD Review.

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CHEVROLET BLAZER RS AWD REVIEW

What if Chevrolet designed a Camaro SUV? We’d bet you dollar to donuts (By the way, June 7, is national donut day) that if they did, it would be named the new Chevrolet Blazer.

A respected name from Chevrolet’s past, this one picks up many years later and carries the ball down the field. The new Chevrolet Blazer is available at Napleton’s Chevrolet of Columbus, Wisconsin, today.

WHAT IS IT?

The new Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-sized, two-row, five-passenger Crossover Utility Vehicle that resides in the niche between the Equinox and the Traverse. It comes with a choice of engines, trim levels and powertrains that are only limited by your imagination and lifestyle.

It’s an angular, aggressively-styled two-box design that features slitty Camaro-styled headlamps, broad shoulders and creased flanks leading up to a floating roofline-styled rear, complete with handsfree rear opening hatch.

Even the sides have that Camaro-esque look leading up to D-pillar, which mimics the tight rear window openings found on the Camaro coupe.

The new Blazer is available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection that produces 193 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, and 188 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It mates up to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Our tester was the RS version which is powered by a 3.6-liter DOHC VVT direct injection V6 that produces 308 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. It was mated to a nine-speed automatic Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions with all-wheel-drive.

All-wheel-drive is an available option, but only with the 3.6-liter V6 engine.

With that extra power you also get 4,500 pounds of towing capability. With the 2.5-liter you will be able to tow approximately 1,500 pounds.

The Chevy Blazer shares a platform with the Cadillac XT5 and the GMC Acadia Crossovers. All three rely on a MacPherson strut independent suspension with hydraulic control arm ride bushings and a hollow stabilizer bar in the front.

The Blazer also utilizes a five link independent rear suspension with auxiliary spring aids and a hollow stabilizer bar. Steering comes from an electric-assisted power steering unit with Active Return Assist which helps to return the steering when back to center following a maneuver.

TRIMMED OUT

The new Chevy Blazer is available in three trim levels ranging from entry-level L to the sporty Camaro-based RS and the top shelf Premier model.

Still, if you don’t like placing yourself in a box, order the engine of your choice, with cloth interior and then pick and choose your most desirable options.

A LOOK INSIDE

Think of the new Chevrolet Blazer as the Camaro of SUVs. From the RS badging, to the circular air conditioning registers with the concentric temperature controls to the 8-inch color HD pop-up touchscreen display, it looks, to quote CSNY, like we have been here before.

But that’s not a bad thing because the interior layout of the new Blazer is actually quite good. Sure, the audio system is one of Bose group’s finest, and includes the absolutely necessary Sirius XM satellite radio.

Our test vehicle also included the Qi wireless charging system for specific telephones, and the OnStar suite of assists including turn-by-turn directions downloaded to the vehicle. Hit the blue OnStar button for your request to begin. In a few seconds, an OnStar operator answers and you can say something like, “Can I get turn-by-turn directions to Costco in downtown Chicago, please?” A second later the call is completed and you push a button on the screen. And off you go. It’s a lot more accurate than trying to have the Blazer’s Navigation system understand your Southern twang or other regional accent.

Seating in the Blazer is nicely festooned with leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seat trim. The rear seat is rather large to start with and features the added bonus of outboard heating and reclining seats that also move forward or backwards for additional legroom and added cargo capacity. Speaking of capacity, there’s 30.5 cubic feet behind the second row seat, and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded forward.

Our tester was equipped with the Enhanced Convenience and Driver’s Confidence II package, which included the Bose Audio System with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system, the Qi Wireless, Adaptive Cruise Control, Power Tilt and Telescopic steering column, Following Distance indicator, Forward Collision Alert with braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Warning, power panoramic sunroof and more.

IN MOTION

This Camaro, er Blazer Crossover Utility Vehicle thinks, when equipped with the 308-horsepower V6 engine, that it’s a sports car—with a really big trunk. And it very well could be. Acceleration from the V6 was rather stout with an estimated hustle from 0-60 in around 6.3 seconds. Adept at handling tight curves without a severe sense of body lean, it relayed confidence all the way up the steering column to our rapidly warming mitts, until we realized we accidentally turned on the steering wheel heater.

We found the electrically-assisted power steering did well as it adapted to the steering input we fed it, and seemed to gently assist in getting us back on the straight and narrow. The best part was that the Blazer kept its composure and quiet attitude intact until we decided to add a little bit of growl by squeezing the skinny pedal.

At that point, it displayed a bit of sportiness that is sadly lacking in many of the Chevy Blazer’s competition.

Chevrolet Blazer RS AWD Specifications

Type: Sport Utility Vehicle

Passengers: Five

Engine: 3.6-liter V6 with Variable Valve Timing

Power: 308 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm

Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Fuel Delivery: Direct Injection

Transmission: Hydra-Matic nine-speed automatic

Front Suspension: MacPherson strut independent suspension and stabilizer bar

Rear Suspension: Five-link independent with spring aids and stabilizer bar

Steering: Electric variable-effort power assisted steering

Overall Length: 191.4 inches

Wheelbase: 112.7 inches

Width: 76.7 inches

Height: 67 inches

Curb Weight: 4,246 pounds

Cargo Space: 30.5 cubic feet behind rear seat

64.2 cubic feet behind first row

Towing: 4,500 pounds with 3.6 and available AWD and trailer package.

EPA Fuel Economy: 18 city / 25 highway / 21.5 average

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