After a brief absence, the Chevy Blazer burst back onto the scene in 2019, giving drivers an alluring new option in the hotly contested midsize SUV segment. With a raft of entertainment, comfort, and safety technologies, bold styling, and the performance to match, the 2024 Chevy Blazer has continued to grab the attention of drivers seeking a reliable family crossover that retains a bit of an edge. While Chevy recently introduced an all-electric version of the crossover dubbed the Blazer EV, the gas-powered model is still going strong, continuing a proud tradition of SUV performance that stretches all the way back to the original 1969 K5 Blazer. The model has proved adept at changing with the times, integrating the latest and greatest in performance, comfort, and entertainment features with each successive generation. The most notable change would have to be the decision to nix the Blazer’s traditional body-on-frame construction for a new crossover approach starting in 2019.
This change might make the Blazer a little less off-road-ready than some of its forerunners, but the trade-off is a fair one, especially when you consider the improvements in practicality. Case in point: the 2005 Blazer––which represented the last body-on-frame version to be offered by Chevy––posted a paltry 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway, while today’s nimble crossover version gets an estimated 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Combine those numbers with the Blazer’s eye-catching style, 308 hp V6 engine, and full slate of cutting-edge tech, and you’ve got a recipe for a refreshingly well-rounded SUV that’s quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the segment. Let’s take a quick lap in the 2024 model and see how Chevy continues to do the Blazer name proud with the latest iteration of the driver-favorite SUV.
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At first glance, the 2024 Chevy Blazer might not even read as an SUV. Featuring a distinctive front grille, sporty exterior styling, and a bold two-tone color scheme that sees it clad in black from the windows on up, the Blazer won’t be mistaken for any other midsize crossover on the road. If the cut of the Blazer’s jib is familiar to longtime Chevy fans, there’s good reason: the Blazer’s exterior is based on the iconic Chevy Camaro. The legendary pony car served as the inspiration for the Blazer when the nameplate was revived in 2019, which went a long way in helping the SUV stand out in the increasingly crowded segment.
The Blazer was already one of the most recognizable crossovers on the market, but that didn’t stop Chevy from giving the model a mid-cycle makeover in 2023. While the refresh included a number of upgrades both inside and out, the exterior saw some of the most significant changes, with Chevy revisiting the Blazer’s lights and grille design. The first-generation headlights were replaced by new, high-mounted LED headlights, which were pared down to better complement the rest of the crossover’s front end. The headlights now flow seamlessly towards the grille, which was also redesigned for 2023 with a honeycomb pattern that sets it apart from the competition. Chevy also rolled out new designs for the Blazer’s wheels while adding a full palette of exterior color options ranging from Copper Bronze Metallic to Radiant Red Tintcoat. The Blazer’s red hue might be the most traditionally eye-catching choice, but the new-for-2024 Riptide Blue Metallic gives it a run for its money with an electric paint job that looks both fast and futuristic.
You’ll find the Blazer’s sporty exterior styling reflected in the interior, where the Camaro influence can again be seen. The Blazer might lack the pony car’s 3.9-second zero-to-60-mph time, but you wouldn't know it from looking around the cabin, where you’ll find rounded air vents, ambient interior lighting, and a flashy two-tone color scheme. The top trims are packed with all the high-end finishes and features you would expect, such as heated and ventilated seats wrapped in leather upholstery. Those opting for the athletic RS trim will have the option of a stunning Nightshift Blue interior, an addition that makes the latest version of Blazer the most customizable to date.
The 2024 Blazer might look every bit the sporty, Camaro-inspired crossover, but do the similarities extend to the performance realm? In a word, yes. At least about as well as you might expect from a family-friendly SUV priced under $40,000. The Blazer is notable for its impressive acceleration, with the V6 model galloping from zero to 60 mph in just over six seconds. It’s not going to win you any drag races, but it’s a strong showing for the midsize SUV segment, where raw performance is rarely the focus. The Blazer rounds out its stat sheet with a quarter-mile time of 15.1 seconds and an estimated top speed of 130 mph, which are alluring enough numbers to justify a closer look at what’s under the hood.
The 2024 Blazer’s 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims are powered by a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque thanks in large part to its turbocharger. While that’s certainly more than enough power to get around, those looking for a more engaging experience should take a closer look at the Blazer’s optional 3.6-liter V6. This powerplant––which is available on the 2LT, RS, and Premier trims––ups the output to 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, which pairs well with the nine-speed automatic transmission to give owners a peppy, responsive driving experience that they won’t soon forget.
All versions of the 2024 Blazer come standard with front-wheel drive, but the optional all-wheel drive allows the Blazer to better tackle some of the light off-road applications many expect from the SUV segment. Without the available towing package, drivers will be limited to a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. But with that package and the V6 engine, the Blazer can haul up to 4,500 lbs without breaking a sweat. That’s more than enough towing capacity to tote most small boats, trailers, teardrop campers, and recreational equipment, making the 2024 Blazer a well-rounded SUV that’s equal parts daily driver and weekend adventure rig.
As we mentioned earlier, the Blazer is also exceedingly efficient, at least when compared to the past Chevy vehicles that wore the name. The turbo-four is the thriftiest of the bunch with an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, but the V6 holds its own with 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway to its name. This places the Blazer firmly in the middle of the midsize SUV class, but if you’re looking for unparalleled efficiency, there’s always the new, all-electric version.
These days, it’s not enough for a vehicle to be sporty, efficient, and stylish; it also has to be packed with enough technology to satisfy modern drivers. Some automakers take this tech-focused approach to the extreme, packing in a bunch of superfluous features that inflate the price while doing little to improve the everyday driving experience. With the 2024 Blazer, Chevy has gone for a more measured approach, including some of the industry’s best features while skipping over some of the gaudier bells and whistles.
Take the Blazer’s infotainment touchscreen, for example. Prior to the 2023 refresh, the display might have been considered a little undersized at eight inches, but the new model proves that two inches can make all the difference, with the 2024 version boasting a standard 10.2-inch screen. Going any larger can raise some real issues when it comes to accessibility and ergonomics, but Chevy seems to have found the sweet spot with the new dimensions. The display serves as the Blazer’s all-in-one entertainment and information command center. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow drivers to tether the system to their smartphones for seamless streaming, navigation, and hands-free communication.
The Blazer rounds out its arsenal of comfort and convenience features with a full complement of USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 120-volt outlet, and––on the RS and Premier trims––an eight-speaker Bose audio system, built-in navigation, and Qi wireless charging as standard features. The wireless charging feature is also available as an optional add-on for the 2LT and 3LT trims, allowing all drivers to enjoy luxury in its truest form: not having to search for your smartphone’s USB cable before you leave the house.
Of course, technology is about more than just touchscreen displays, ambient lighting, and wireless charging. Safety and driver-assistance features have become an increasingly important part of the tech equation as of late, and Chevy is never one to get left behind. The 2023 refresh saw the 2LT and 3LT trims graced with Chevy’s adaptive cruise control feature, which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed based on real-time road conditions. This feature makes all the difference when it comes to addressing driver fatigue, removing much of the monotony from highway driving while ensuring a safer road for all. Chevy’s Safety Assist package is also now offered as a standard feature, making potentially life-saving tools like Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking available to a wider swath of drivers. Optional upgrades to the advanced driving assistance system include Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.