2019 Chevy Blazer - Worth $50-Grand?

"Driving Sports TV" (drivingsports) 04/30/2019 at 10:21 • Filed to: Chevrolet

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I was down in California a couple weeks ago filming Matt’s Countach, Larry’s AMMO NYC video about the Acura NSX Paint (which came out pretty good imho, check it out on his channel) and some other things. While there, I also managed to squeeze in a review of the new 2019 Blazer, which was our crew rig for the week.

Nibby > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 10:38

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no way, you could buy over a dozen real blazers for that price

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 10:39

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No. No it isn’t. 

and 100 more > Nibby 04/30/2019 at 10:45

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Or two-dozen S-10 Blazers.

412GTI > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 11:00

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Buy I could get a sweet ass sport car, the Ford Edge ST, for that price! 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 11:02

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I don’t know any offical numbers, but it’s a transverse front engine, and that 9 spd was developed as a FWD transaxle, so I highly suspect it’s front biased or 50/50. As you allude to, 85% may be able to go to the rear wheels, and that may be 85% of all power, but that’s only when the system demands it. Recall the old GM AWD systems (Versatrak?) which was a “50/50" system except it was basically 95% front until the wheels started slipping, then it could shuffle up to 50% of the power to the rear. Once the slip condition was passed it resumed 95% front operation. My guess is it’s something more akin to that.

4,500 lbs towing is disappointing. I have a 2018 GMC Terrain with the 2.0L engine and it can tow 3,500lbs. The Traverse with the same V6 engine as the Blazer can tow 5,0000lbs.

Interior - you’re dead on. GM interiors have gotten a lot better, but they still need work and I agree that I just don’t see $50k in the Blazer.

Here’s my hot take - GM really missed a golden opportunity to give us a “street crossover,” as in a true RWD “Camaro SUV” with turbo 4, V6, and V8 options (and eventually supercharged V8 ZL1 derivative!). Now that awould have been something! As it is, the Blazer is just a less capable, more expensive Traverse. In fact put anything other than the R S trim Blazer next to a Traverse and they are hard to tell apart. You can get a Traverse with the same V6, with AWD, it tows more, and has way more cargo room.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 11:26

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HammerheadFistpunch > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 11:27

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They’re aiming for the grand cherokee. The only problem is that it’ s just another other fwd based crossover with a single speed system and nondescript looks.  The GC is dated but at least it has some cred in its heritage and its design.  

adamftw > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/30/2019 at 11:38

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Man, how sweet would a new  Blazer SS be? 

camarov6rs > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 11:45

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When it comes to GM lately you seem to have to ignore their MSRP, which is laughably stupid. They seem to be inflating prices so they can offer bigger discounts that  seem like a bargain without actually going much lower than competitive ATP. Agreed that the 50k price tag is not befitting this vehicle but if we take 5-8k does it make it better value?

Quadradeuce > camarov6rs 04/30/2019 at 11:52

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This is very true, and it pisses me off. In my state, you pay sales tax on the sticker price regardless of what you actually paid for the car. I can’t stand these overinflated sticker prices and it’ s one of the reasons I avoid new cars. Delivery, gas guzzler, documentation fees, etc, are all items you avoid or pay a lot less in the used market.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 12:00

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I would 100% get a 4Runner instead of any trim of this thing. Just looked at the configuration, the cheapest I could build it with a V6 and AWD was 37k. AWD SR5 4Runner all day for the same price. Both vehicle’s top trim is about 50k. No way I would spend that much on another FWD based CUV. Especially one that is this ugly.

Tristan > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 12:01

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You said “Blazer” but the picture appears to be some sort of  Equinox. Does not compute.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > camarov6rs 04/30/2019 at 12:21

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Even $42k is too much for an overhyped CUV.......

HammerheadFistpunch > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 12:23

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Word is that GKN is the supplier, same as the regal Tour-X.

I would guess their 85% number comes from 70% rear axle bias and 100% side to side bias, or ( 100+70/2) = 85. In which case its basically a direct competitor to the Pilot/Passport.

Its important to distinguish, however, that even though it [probably] can send 70% torque to the rear wheels the time it spends at those ratios is VERY limited and only under specific conditions. i.e. there is no “70% rear bias” mode. These types of systems can’t stay engaged very long to prevent from overheating.  If it has the overdrive gears like the twinster or i-VTM4 especially...which Im not sure it does.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > adamftw 04/30/2019 at 12:30

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I know, right?

So I put some thought into this... The Camaro is built on the Alpha RWD platform. As anyone can attest, it’s on the small side. But, GM makes a modified version of this platform that’s both longer and wider to underpin the somewhat larger Cadillac CTS. So why not use that as a basis? Then follow the Camaro trim convention - An LS with the 2.0T 4 banger, LT with the 3.6L V6, and an SS with the 6.2L V8. Use the 1xx/2xx convention for cloth/leather interior. Use the 8 or 10 spd slushbox and throw in some flappy paddles, and offer the 6 speed manual as an  option.

As a side note, I am really curious about the Blazer NOT having faux flappy paddles. I don’t care for them at all when tied to a traditional torque converter automatic. Single or dual clutch semi-automated gearbox, fine. But I’ve never tried them in a traditional auto where they felt like anything other than a total gimmick. Then again, I can see where a good chunk of the population who doesn’t know any better think they are cool, especially in a sporty car. So if the Blazer is going for “sporty” CUV, why would they not include them?

shop-teacher > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 12:44

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Pft, that ugly abomination?   Hell no.  Every single person involved in the decision to put the Blazer name on that blob of crap should hang their head in shame!

Nick Has an Exocet > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 14:08

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Whats that rule about headlines? If you have to ask the question, the answer is no.

camarov6rs > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/30/2019 at 14:46

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I think hype (the name) might be the problem. Is this really any worse than an Edge at the same price point? 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 14:54

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I will answer your question via laughter.

HAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA......NOPE.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > camarov6rs 04/30/2019 at 16:03

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$42k for any CUV is too much for what they are.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 04/30/2019 at 16:58

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i love the WK2

slightly biased

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 04/30/2019 at 17:01

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WK2 is great...aside from the 80+ recalls.

https://repairpal.com/jeep/grand+cherokee/recalls

mincz > Driving Sports TV 04/30/2019 at 17:51

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Dude nice Chevy Murano

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 04/30/2019 at 19:12

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;_;

Driving Sports TV > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/01/2019 at 00:30

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I agree completely. At that price I would get a 4Runner all day, every day, even though it’s relatively ancient. Still awesome.