When the full-sized Chevy K5 Blazer was introduced in 1969, it was a large, rugged beast of a vehicle that stood tall and wide. The first Blazers were born with a “can-do” attitude that was intended to compete with the Ford Bronco and Jeep Cherokee, which already claimed the ability to dominate on and off the roads. These were the early days of SUVs, and the more utilitarian vehicles were celebrated for being more versatile than the traditional family sedan or coupe. The SUV boom created an entirely different path for these highly capable vehicles, and in 2005, the Blazer was discontinued as other more niche-specific trucks, and SUVs stole its crown. In 2019, the Blazer returned, now as a family-friendly adventure vehicle. In 2020, the Chevy Blazer appears with a Camaro-based design, but a tow-friendly stance, reminding us all that the very first word in SUV is “Sports.” The 2020 Chevy Blazer is the SUV that thinks it’s a sports coupe, only a sports coupe with All Wheel Drive. With seating for up to five passengers and a towing capacity of up to 4,500 pounds, the new Chevy Blazer manages to be both sportier and more utilitarian than its predecessors, making it perfect for everyday driving or everyday adventuring.
Exclusively Modern Features
In bygone days, the Chevy Blazer, like most early SUVs, was a large, boxy vehicle. Part pick up truck and part station wagon, these vehicles weren’t known for a smooth ride; instead, they were the vehicle that could go to the worksite with tools in the back during the week, and stash a sleeping bag and fishing pole in the cargo area on the weekends. It was less a vehicle of comfort than a vehicle of convenience, able to take on nearly any adventure the driver might have in mind.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is not too dissimilar. With up to 64.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the Blazer anticipates the journey ahead. But now, instead of listening to your belongings rattle around the cargo bed over all the bumps and dips the off-road can bring, Chevy has introduced a Cargo Management System. This optional feature employs a floor-mounted rail system that can keep all of the cargo secure and incorporates features like the Flexible Cargo Partition and Horizontal Cargo Net to keep items large and small from shifting, spilling, breaking, or blocking the view.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer also includes all of the latest technological features. While its ancestors had enormous glove boxes to accommodate a variety of maps and cassette tapes, the new Blazer comes with a high-resolution 8-inch touch screen Chevy Infotainment system, which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, making all of your contacts, music apps, and maps accessible from the touch screen.
While early Blazers wore their battle scars with pride, the 2020 Chevy Blazer is equipped with a variety of safety technology that makes dings and scrapes a thing of the past. On trims like the 3LT and above, the optional 360-degree camera system allows drivers to gain perspective on all the surrounding area, making it easier to navigate into city parking spots, or around any hidden hazards at the campsite. This feature is also very helpful when hitching and unhitching a trailer. Other available features include adaptive cruise control, which uses radar sensors to ensure drivers maintain a proper distance from the vehicle in front or forward collision alert with enhanced automatic emergency braking. Together, these available features alert drivers to a potential forward collision, and if the brake is not applied, it will take over the task, braking hard to prevent a collision.
The Power to Navigate Anywhere
The 2020 Blazer is manufactured with a choice between three engines that are prepared for the job at hand, whatever that job may be on any given day. The base L and 1LT trim packages include a 2.5L inline-4 engine, which offers 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. This perfectly powerful engine has an EPA fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway in front-wheel drive.
The next trims, the 2LT and 3LT, are paired with a standard 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine that offers 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Optional on these trims, but standard on the RS and Premier models, is a mighty 3.6L V6 engine, with 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. These models rate 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive, or 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway in all-wheel drive.
All-wheel drive is an option for both the 2.0L turbocharged engine and the 3.6L V6. The RS and Premier models also offer the option of Advanced Twin-Clutch, which carefully directs torque to the wheel, which is gaining the most traction. This feature provides exclusive control in poor weather or road conditions.
Choosing the Traction Select System allows drivers to customize their rides further, as they can turn a dial to choose the best traction for the road ahead. Tour mode switches the vehicle to FWD to gain the best fuel economy. Tow/Haul adjusts the drive for heavy loads. Sport mode adds a little fun to the mix. Off-Road optimizes throttle and chassis control for rough terrain, while All-Wheel Drive mode ensures the best traction for slippery roads.
Choose Your Own Adventure
From the fleet-friendly L trim to the Premier model, the 2020 Chevy Blazer comes extremely well-equipped with standard offerings that appeal to every driver. The basic package includes cloth upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, two USB and two USB-C ports, and OnStar capability with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrade to the 1LT package and gain satellite radio and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The 2LT adds only the ability to upgrade the engine, while the 3LT package upgrades to leather upholstery, a power liftgate, auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats, a programmable power tailgate, power-adjustable passenger seat, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
Of course, the options don’t end there. The top trim packages, RS and Premier, add a variety of luxury features that make the early Blazers look simply primitive. The RS trim includes the V6 engine standard, as well as sport-engineered suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels. The tailgate can be controlled by gestures, which is helpful when your arms are full of tools or groceries. It also includes a heated steering system, blacked-out front grille, extra USB ports, and a household-style power outlet that lets you catch the big game while hunting even bigger game. The Premier edition adds chrome exterior accents, heated front, and rear seats, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, ambient interior lighting, and a power-adjustable steering column.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer
Looking at the 2020 Chevy Blazer, it’s easy to see the influence of its sportier relatives, including the Camaro. Gone is the box-shape and the wide stance, and in its place, the new generation of Blazer appears aerodynamic, svelte, and capable of handling a variety of adventures. Whether it’s a day in the local park or exploring the National Parks, the Chevy Blazer offers a lot of utility in a very sporty package. The modern Chevy Blazer may look more “citified,” but it’s just as capable as ever, especially when equipped with all-wheel drive and the 3.6L V6 engine, with which it can tow up to 4,500 pounds. Comfortable on any road, the 2020 Chevy Blazer is taking the modern SUV crossover to an entirely new dimension.
