There is a lot that we expect from our SUVs. Not only should they be able to host all of our cargo, but they must be reasonably fuel-efficient, and offer a degree of engine power that allows for capable towing and performance. It’s a lot to live up to, although, the SUV continues to be the most popular kind of vehicle on the market today. SUVs have dominated the industry, simply because they’ve managed to live up to all of their expectations. At the same time, not all SUVs managed to hit the mark in terms of being adventure-ready. From weekend trips to the mountains to long-distance excursions, not all SUVs are equipped to handle the demand of the weekend warrior or the driver stricken by wanderlust. Of all the 2019 SUV models to hit showroom floors this year, the 2019 Chevy Blazer is undoubtedly a vehicle of interest. Sure, it offers decent fuel economy, has some robust towing capacity, and even comes with some next-level smart features. But is it worthy of being adventure-ready? Continue reading to find out our answer.
What Makes an Adventure-Ready Vehicle?
So, what does adventure-ready mean anyway? Well, it can mean a lot of things. For starters, an adventure-ready vehicle is one that offers more than enough space for all of your gear, with additional room for a passenger or four. Right away, sedans and compact cars are struck from the list, leaving pickup trucks and SUVs as the remainder. These are vehicles that offer superior utility, sporting expansive cargo room, as well as a little extra space left over for passengers.
That said, it isn’t the only qualifying factor to look out for. Your typical adventure-ready car should also be conscious of the amount of fuel it consumes. The last thing you’ll want to do is spend buckets of cash at the pump due to a fuel-hungry engine. As a result, a majority of pickup trucks can be removed from the competition. While there are plenty of pickup trucks that come with fuel-sipping 4-cylinder engines, the vast majority prioritize horsepower, torque and towing capacity above all things.
Lastly, we tend to look for vehicles that sport more capable drivetrains. So that means front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles are out from the running. Instead, you’ll want to purchase a vehicle that is equipped with either a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive drivetrain. These two drivetrain options are quite different from one another. However, they both provide power to all four wheels. With an AWD or 4WD vehicle, you’ll be less likely to find yourself stuck in the mud, or find your wheels jammed in snow. At the same time, you’ll be able to take advantage of superior safety, as vehicles with 4WD and AWD drivetrains offer greater traction with the road.
So, considering these factors, how does the 2019 Chevy Blazer stack up? Well, on the surface, the 2019 Chevy Blazer already meets one of the requirements, being an SUV. We’ll have to delve a little deeper into discovering whether or not this Chevy is truly adventure-ready.
Size Really Matters
Just because the 2019 Chevy Blazer is an SUV, doesn’t necessarily mean it can hold anything and everything. There are plenty of vehicles on the market that has SUV attached to their name but offers less-than-stellar cargo room. Fortunately, the 2019 Chevy Blazer doesn’t disappoint when it comes to interior spacing.
With the seats up, passengers will find an expansive 30.5 cubic feet of cargo room, which is far more than many other SUVs of similar size can say. Fold those seats down, and you’ll discover this space doubles to an almost cavernous 64.2 cubic feet. On top of that, drivers and passengers will find plenty of head and legroom, which is bound to pay off on those long drives.
Beyond just size, interior comforts matter too. Fortunately, the Chevy Blazer comes packed. Drivers and front-seat passengers can find a 6- and 4-way manually adjustable seat with cloth upholstery. If you’re willing to spend a little more cash, you can upgrade to power-operated 8-way adjustable seats that offer temperature control and a beautiful leather finish. Rear passengers will also be surprised to find reclining seats, which is something you’ll be hard-pressed to find in other models.
Interior tech is a big deal for the Chevy Blazer too. Base models will find an 8.0-inch touchscreen, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making for seamless integration with your smartphone. In-car wireless internet hardware and keyless ignition are also welcome additions to standard models as well.
If you’re looking to top out the 2019 Chevy Blazer with road-tripping and long-distance driving in mind, do not worry. You can equip your vehicle with a 120-volt outlet, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, blind-spot monitors, an intuitive cargo management system, and the option of a remote start.
Between all the bells and whistles, and the interior sizing, one would think the 2019 Chevy Blazer to be the ultimate adventure vehicle already. However, the interior isn’t the only important factor involved.
The Performance
Lifting the hood of the 2019 Chevy Blazer, you’ll find a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine comes standard which offers up to 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft worth of torque. This smaller engine lets drivers enjoy some reasonable gas mileage as well, with the Chevy Blazer earning an EPA-rated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. While this rating isn’t stellar, the standard model of the Chevy Blazer will save you a bit of cash when you fill-up. Towing capacity is pretty middling topping out at 1,500 lbs in the standard models.
Although if you invest a little more money, you’ll find yourself with a 3.6-liter V6 engine which is responsible for 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft worth of torque. This larger engine brings down your fuel economy significantly as you’ll have to settle with 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. In the same instance though, you’ll get to take advantage of a far more versatile AWD drivetrain, giving you off-road capability. Towing capacity also sees a boost with the V6 option as well, capping out at 4,500 lbs.
Does the 2019 Chevy Blazer Make the Cut?
Nowadays the market is flooded with SUVs, from compact sporty vehicles to robust fuel-sucking engines. The 2019 Chevy Blazer sits somewhere between it all, existing as a mid-sized SUV that offers reasonable fuel economy, plenty of engine power, and a suite of modern features. That said, is the latest Chevy Blazer worthy of joining the ranks of other adventure-ready vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or the Subaru Crosstrek? Contrary to the old adage of ‘not judging a book by its cover’ you can do precisely that with the 2019 Chevy Blazer.
What you see is what you get. What you get is a fully-capable SUV that offers all of the versatility, fuel efficiency, and power that you can expect from other adventure-ready vehicles. While we consider the 2019 Chevy Blazer worthy of any road-trip or weekend excursion, we suggest that you check it out for yourself. See what Chevy brings to the table with this rugged SUV.
