The 2022 Chevy Blazer is unique in a sea of sameness. Defining features that separate the Blazer from the pack include an available two-tone roof and chiseled exterior styling more reminiscent of the Camaro than a family SUV. It’s all angles and long, sculpted body panels, which is a nice break from conventional SUV styling (think, rounded bubble-like spaceship or rectangular box).
As captivating as the Blazer is from the outside, it’s what Chevy accomplished in the cabin that really got our attention. Not only does the Blazer tick all the usual size and cargo capacity boxes for SUV buyers, but because Chevy fashioned the cabin after that of its distant cousin, the Camaro, the driver’s seat and surrounding dash feels more like a sports car cockpit.
It’s a fitting design aesthetic because the Blazer is more of a performance SUV, especially when it’s equipped with the available 308 horsepower 3.6 liters DOHC V6. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder isn’t far behind either, with 228 horses on tap. The enhanced performance doesn’t come at the cost of fuel economy either.
This marriage of performance capability and design is the Blazer’s unique calling card, setting it apart from its more lackluster competitors. Add to that a plethora of standard and available luxury, safety, and technology equipment, and the reasons not to buy a Blazer essentially evaporate.
Cabin Dynamics and Luxury Features
For 2022, Chevy simplified the Blazer’s lineup by dropping the base L and 1LT trims, so buyers are able to choose between the 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier trims. Cutting the two entry-level trims with their underwhelming 2.5L four-cylinder engine goes a long way towards enhancing the Blazer’s image as a comfortable and performance-oriented model.
Both the 2LT and 3LT are slated for value shoppers, but because Chevy did away with the base L and 1LT for 2022 without substantially changing the remaining trims’ standard equipment, there is some price creep. Final pricing wasn’t available as of the date of this article, but we expect the base trim’s MSRP to hover in the $34,000 range. The 2LT features standard dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, as well as cloth seating surfaces and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
Move up to the Blazer 3LT, and the luxury features start to emerge. The 3LT includes perforated leather seating and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as heated front seats and a power passenger seat. The standard remote start feature lets drivers heat up (or cool down) the cabin ahead of the drive, and the power liftgate adds a nice extra boost of convenience.
Upgrade to the RS and enjoy the sportiest Blazer trim. With the more powerful V6 engine standard, the cabin receives a fitting – and performance-inspired – new look that includes a larger 8-inch driver information cluster (upgraded from the standard 4.2-inch screen), as well as a heated steering wheel, a few extra USB ports, and fancy ambient cabin lighting.
Climb into the luxury Premier, and it’s almost easier to list what’s not in the cabin than go through its exhaustive collection of features. The Premier adds a premium Bose audio system with eight speakers, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats (outside seats only – yet another reason not to get stuck in the middle), and slick perforated leather and suede seating. Two memory settings keep track of your preferred seat, mirror, and steering wheel settings.
Infotainment and Convenience Technology
Budget Blazer buyers are in luck when it comes to infotainment because all Blazer trims include the same responsive 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that runs on Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and makes a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot available to buyers willing to pony up for a data subscription (a free trial is included with the purchase of any new Blazer).
The Premier and RS trims include standard navigation and the option of adding a wireless charger. All Blazers are compatible with Amazon Alexa, so connecting with your home devices, streaming content, and even shopping on Amazon is seamless. It all might sound a little extra, but busy families appreciate the technology integration.
Connected services are available and abundant on all Chevy vehicles, including the Blazer. Download the myChevrolet app, activate the service, and use your smartphone as a control hub. Start the vehicle, honk the horn, lock and unlock doors, and view vehicle health data right from the app. It’s a feature that we didn’t know we needed until we had it.
Chevy pre-loads popular apps like Spotify, The Weather Channel, and Pandora right into the vehicle’s infotainment system and encourages drivers to “smarten” their home-vehicle connection by suggesting actions like opening the garage door a few seconds sooner or turning on the porch light as you pull in. It’s all about seamless integration and convenience.
Safety and Driver Assist Systems
Now that the no-frills Blazer L and 1LT have exited stage left, the remaining Blazer trims incorporate myriad safety and driver-assist systems standard equipment. All trims feature a standard HD Rear Vision Camera, as well as Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of semi-autonomous driver-assist safety systems designed to keep drivers alert and all occupants safer.
Chevy Safety Assist includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, a Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. All of these systems utilize cameras and other sensors to monitor the road ahead, behind, and alongside the vehicle, audibly alerting the driver when a potential hazard is identified.
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning works by sending gentle nudges to the steering wheel when the vehicle drifts out of its lane, which, let’s face it, is a pretty common occurrence during long, boring highway drives. The Following Distance Indicator is also helpful on the highway, as it alerts the driver when it senses you are too close to the car ahead.
Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking all combine to alert the driver when a collision is possible and intervene with Emergency Braking when it senses the car isn’t stopping quickly enough to avoid a crash. It’s an extra bit of peace of mind that helps keep drivers alert and aware, a benefit to occupants, other motorists, and pedestrians.
Upper-level trims receive standard Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist. An optional HD Surround Vision camera system offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle and surrounding area, ideal for navigating tight spots or squeezing into a smaller parking space.
The Hottest Midsize Model on the Market?
Dubbed a “style-forward crossover SUV” by the editors at MotorTrend, the refreshed 2022 Chevy Blazer delivers exterior differentiation and cabin refinement across the entire trim range, justifying its mid-$30,000 asking price and earning it a top spot in the crowded midsize SUV segment. With plenty of extras available for buyers to dial in all the luxury, capability, and performance they need, the Blazer should get comfortable atop a heap of vanilla-styled, underpowered competitors.
Along with plenty of technology and luxury features, the Blazer makes good use of dead space, with door panel storage solutions, a large center console, and a small cubby space forward of the console shifter. It’s a Camaro-esque interior aesthetic that’s fitting for an SUV that prides itself on superior performance and edgy good looks – only, unlike the cramped Camaro, the Blazer has enough room for you and your whole family to stretch out.
Choose the Blazer if you need a roomy midsize SUV with plenty of cargo capacity and a respectable towing capability, but also choose the Blazer if artfully designed interior cabin space matters. In 2022, technology and convenience are synonymous; the Blazer meets that future-focused ideal via connected services that even rival those found in higher-end European imports.
Bottom line: the 2022 Chevy Blazer is hands down our number one pick for the most dynamic and aesthetically appealing midsize SUV in the category. If you’re lucky enough to drive one, get ready for lots of double-takes from the neighbors.
