Art of Gears
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The Chevy Blazer curiously returns as a crossover

By Ross Eugene

Chevrolet introduces the 2019 Blazer Thursday, June 21, 2018 during a special event in Atlanta, Georgia. Slotting between the Equinox and Traverse, the 2019 Blazer features five-passenger seating, standard 2.5L I-4 and available 3.6L V-6 engines with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and model ranges that include sporty RS (pictured here) and up-level Premier models. The Chevrolet Blazer will arrive at U.S. dealerships in early 2019. (Photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet)
Chevrolet introduces the 2019 Blazer Thursday, June 21, 2018 during a special event in Atlanta, Georgia. Slotting between the Equinox and Traverse, the 2019 Blazer features five-passenger seating, standard 2.5L I-4 and available 3.6L V-6 engines with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and model ranges that include sporty RS (pictured here) and up-level Premier models. The Chevrolet Blazer will arrive at U.S. dealerships in early 2019. (Photo by Steve Fecht for Chevrolet) /
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The Chevy Blazer once signaled the end of the station wagon. Now is it the crossover that spells the end of the SUV?

Making its first appearance in 1983, the Chevy Blazer was an instant hit among those with an adventurous spirit. Along with the Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer, the Blazer cemented the modern SUV as an American favorite.

However, in recent years, the crossover has been winning the favor of the car buying public over SUVs. Recently, in the height of the crossover craze, Chevrolet announced the Blazer name will be making its return as a crossover and not an SUV.

A fun and familiar face

Chevy’s Executive Director of Global Design, John Cafaro, knows the 2019 Blazer is striking. “The Blazer has attitude […] It looks commanding on the road.”

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The 2019 Chevy Blazer features a muscular design, the focal piece being its prominent front fascia. Clearly, designers were inspired by the angular and angry Camaro. It’s worth noting the Blazer that debuted in Atlanta late last month was a sports-inspired RS trim level.

(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) /

If this all-new crossover is anything like its other family members at Chevrolet, 2019 Chevy Blazer LS and LT trim levels will likely round out the more family-oriented trim levels and feature more subdued styling.

For some, the 2019 Blazer could be the perfect way to have their cake and eat it too. It boasts all the angular and aggressive design of the Camaro while still having enough space for the family and fido.

The brains and the brawn

The all-new Chevy Blazer will feature either a 2.5L I4 engine producing 193 HP or a 3.6L producing 305 HP. Both engines can be found in other GM models, including the GMC Acadia and Chevy Impala, and have proven to be reliable and durable.

While the new Chevy Blazer doesn’t necessarily have any features that are totally groundbreaking, it sets the precedent for things to come on future Chevy crossovers and SUVs.

The 2019 Chevy Blazer comes with an 8-in. touchscreen running the new Chevrolet Infotainment 3 suite of technology. This next-gen infotainment interface replaces Chevy’s MyLink system and uses cloud-based profiles for incredible customization.

What does the Chevy Blazer say for the future of the SUV?

During its first production run, the Chevy Blazer was a much larger, body-on-frame SUV. Over the past 20 years or so, the popularity of the SUV effectively killed the station wagon and replaced it America’s preferred family vehicle.

However, big, truck-based SUVs are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Now that the very vehicle that helped define the SUV is now a crossover, could that mean we are reaching the beginning of the end the SUV?

While SUVs are here to stay for the time being, there is no end in sight to the crossover boom. It  would certainly be ironic if one of the very vehicles that helped solidify SUVs as a viable option for families signaled their demise.

Starting in early 2019, the Chevy Blazer will be sold alongside the Tahoe and Suburban, as well as the Trax, Equinox, and Traverse. Only time will tell, but it seems Chevy sees a blazingly bright future in crossovers.

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