Today’s average car buyer has a unique set of needs. We need to be able to pack up our vehicle on a Thursday so we can drive 50 minutes out after work on a Friday and camp in the middle of the forest, far away from any sources of electricity or running water. If you weren’t able to plan a trip this weekend? Well, running errands better feel like an adventure. The 2022 Chevy Blazer is exactly that: an adventure. If you close your eyes during your more mundane drives (which I don’t recommend), you can almost imagine you’re trekking through a woodland path instead of commuting to the office. If you’re looking for a vehicle that will reliably get you to the grocery store and make you feel like you can wrestle a mountain lion, the 2022 Chevy Blazer may be a good fit for you.
What’s New, 2022?
The Chevy Blazer doesn’t undergo many transformative changes with the newest model. Before you say “rut roh, Shaggy,” don’t worry – the 2022 Blazer does come with some subtle upgrades. The biggest difference is the streamlined set of trims. Down from six last year, the four trims available in the 2022 model are the 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. The base packages from 2021, the L and 1LT, were dropped this year, along with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine that went with them. Also, the Chevy Safety Assist package now comes standard in all trims (more on that later).
Origin Story
Born in 1969, the Chevy Blazer originally debuted as the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. It was a boxy, short-wheelbase, two-door SUV that seamlessly blended off-roading utility with luxury features (which basically meant it had air conditioning – hey, this was 1969 after all). Chevy’s answer to the likes of Jeep’s off-roading vehicles and the Ford Bronco, the Blazer’s popularity skyrocketed. However, it was discontinued in 1995 and replaced with the more practical four-door Chevrolet Tahoe. In 2019, the Chevy Blazer moniker was reintroduced, this time as a midsize crossover, effectively hanging up its driving-all-over-boulders-and-pine-trees hat and trading it in for something more mainstream. We all have to grow up someday.
Under the Hood
A 228-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine comes standard in the 2022 Chevy Blazers, with the choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Expect to get 25 MPG combined with front-wheel drive and 24 MPG combined for all-wheel drive. For those who like a little more pep in their step, the Blazer also has the option of a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine in the higher trims. Fuel economy will take a hit with this option, coming in at 22 MPG for front-wheel drive and 21 MPG for all-wheel drive. The transmission is a nine-speed automatic across the board.
All trim packages for the 2022 Chevy Blazer have keyless entry with push-button start. It handles well for a midsize SUV, with ultra-responsive steering and powerful acceleration. With the 3.6-liter V6 and the available trailering package, it has a 4,500 lbs towing capability. This package not only includes a factory-installed hitch, but also adds upgraded cooling to handle the added weight of a trailer. However, there is no trailering package for the base engine, limiting it to 1,500 lbs of max towing. The Blazer is far from the strongest in the Chevrolet lineup as far as trailering capabilities go, but it’s still plenty powerful for all the casual haulers out there.
Inside the Cabin
With enough space to stretch your legs, the roomy interior of the 2022 Chevy Blazer will stay comfortable for miles and miles. It has 31 cubic feet of cargo space in the back and 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The seats have a 60/40 split for maximum utility, allowing you to find the right balance between passengers and cargo.
The Blazer comes standard with six speakers and four USB ports, with options to add an eight-speaker Bose sound system. Up front, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s user-friendly and simple to navigate. One of the most eye-catching interior features of the 2022 Chevy Blazer are the circular air vents, which rotate to adjust temperature settings. Leather finishes are available in higher trim packages, as well as leather seats with heating and ventilation in the front and heated seats in the rear.
But How Does it Look?
As far as crossovers go, the 2022 Chevy Blazer is a looker; it takes several pages from the Camaro’s book – think of it as the Sporty Spice of SUVs. It has a streamlined body with a dramatic, head-turning flair. Paint-wise, the Blazer has a new two-tone option with a black roof available with some trims, and two new body colors were added to the palette – Nitro Yellow Metallic and Blue Glow Metallic. Its flattened headlights and double-decker grill are dead giveaways of its Chevy make and contribute to an overall aggressive, puffed-up chest aesthetic. You do not want to look this vehicle in the eye.
Safety Is Not Forgotten
Those who love crossovers love safety and reliability, and the 2022 Chevy Blazer is no exception to the crossover’s family-oriented reputation. Several additional safety features are available in higher trim packages, but the Chevy Safety Assist package now comes with all trims for the 2022 Blazer and includes the following features:
Forward Collision Alert warns the driver when a potential front-end collision has been detected, allowing them to take evasive action. It includes a Following Distance Indicator that provides a tailgating alert if you’re following too closely behind another vehicle (even if said vehicle is driving 5 mph under the speed limit in the left lane).
Automatic Emergency Braking is exactly what it sounds like – it provides automatic hard braking in emergency situations and enhances the driver’s hard braking to help avoid or reduce the severity of front-end collision.
Front Pedestrian Braking uses cameras to detect pedestrians and automatic braking to help protect unwary pedestrians who step into the road without looking. This is an important one!
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver to unintentional drifting outside of the lane and will automatically provide mild steering inputs to keep the vehicle within the lane.
IntelliBeam Auto High Beam Assist automatically flips the vehicle’s high beams on and off depending on the driving conditions and approaching traffic.
Different World, Different Blazer
Sure, today’s Chevy Blazer isn’t exactly the trailblazing K5 Blazer that bullied its way into popularity in the 1970s with its blunt design, off-roading capability, and fancy air conditioning. However, the modern Blazer is likely to be a more logical choice for almost everybody – you’re far less likely to stumble upon an unpaved road these days, after all. The 2022 Chevy Blazer has the practicality that you need with some of the performance that you want. It’ll get you where you need to go, and you may even have more fun during the journey. I don’t claim to know your life, but just in case you’re not Indiana Jones, today’s Chevy Blazer may meet the demands of your daily life and have the utility to keep up with all the adventures in between.
