Oh, the challenge of being a midsize SUV buyer, especially if personal style is important to you and you want your vehicle to stand out from the crowd. With the dozens of models competing for your loyalty and the bizarre vanilla styling that so many manufacturers seem to favor, finding an SUV that speaks to your style isn’t easy. Luckily, there’s the 2024 Chevy Blazer, a unicorn in a sea of sameness designed and positioned for a specific buyer who prioritizes curb appeal and leans toward a sporty, athletic aesthetic.
The 2024 Blazer isn’t the cheapest SUV in the midsize category – not by a long shot. Still, this unique entrant stretches the definition of an SUV with dynamic styling inspired by the high-performance Camaro and a long list of customizable appearance features, including two-tone paint, eight unique exterior hues, and special editions that add fun accents like upgraded wheels and stylized badging. After a major refresh in 2023, the 2024 model is also infused with the latest advanced tech and safety features.
2024 Chevy Blazer buyers won’t mind spending more for the little ute’s unique styling and robust list of standard equipment (even on the base model), and with multiple trims on offer – the 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier, plenty of high-quality extras, like a more powerful V6 engine, can be had when you spend a little more. With fuel efficiency ratings on par with the competition, a larger, more expansive cabin and cargo area, and available all-wheel drive, Chevy’s betting big that the 2024 Blazer will fit the bill for style-minded buyers who want it all.
Positioning in the Chevy SUV Lineup
Situated between the compact Equinox and the midsize Traverse, the Blazer straddles both size categories, with an overall length of 191.8 in (the Equinox measures 183.1 in, and the outgoing 2023 Traverse is 205.9 in long). The Traverse distinguishes itself as one of only a few midsize SUVs with three rows of seats, and Chevy’s best-selling ute, the Equinox, offers incredible bang for the buck, with the fully loaded 2024 Equinox Premier topping out at well under $35k. The least expensive Blazer trim costs as much, and the top trim stretches to the mid-$40,000s.[a]
Since the five-seater Equinox ticks the box for budget-minded SUV buyers and the Traverse has families handled, who exactly did Chevy design the Blazer for, and what accounts for its premium price tag? In short, the Blazer serves a subset of buyers whose SUV wish lists center on two key features: aesthetics and on-road performance. It’s no accident: the newest Blazer iteration launched more than 50 years after the original K5 Blazer hit dealerships, takes its styling cues from an unlikely sibling – the Camaro.
The 2024 Chevy Blazer gives midsize crossover buyers an opportunity to embrace style and good looks without abandoning the SUV body style or spending tens of thousands more on a European import. As a bonus, the Blazer holds its own in the capability department, offering trims with available twin-clutch all-wheel drive systems. But most importantly, the Blazer occupies a niche spot in Chevy’s SUV lineup, blending all utility vehicle must-haves with a dynamic and stand-out exterior architecture that leans into athletic lines and sharp contours.
An SUV With the Soul of a Sports Car
Automotive journalist Henry Payne took a drive in the newly redesigned Chevy Blazer at the start of its first production year. The combination of red paint and “21-inch wheels the size of flying saucers” had heads turning, he reported, comparing his experience to the reaction Chevy received after showcasing the C8 Corvette in New York’s Times Square. In other words, the new Blazer turned heads – a lot of them. “[The] Blazer is a looker,” Payne writes.
Chevy opts for thinly sliced LED headlamps and embeds them up high on the front end so they border the hood. Doing so accents the boxy grille and gives the Blazer a menacing curb profile. Chiseled side panels form an arc across the front and rear doors, and the exaggerated high arch above the wheels follows the same theme. The Blazer’s roofline slopes back to meet a spoiler, then gives way to a sharply contoured rear liftgate. Depending on the exterior color, the angular lines can be toned down or accentuated. The two-tone Nitro Yellow Metallic and the vibrant Radiant Red Tintcoat best showcase the Blazer’s Camaro-like contours.
The Camaro’s essence is no more apparent than inside the Blazer’s cabin. From the oversized round air vents to the analog gauges, the dash borrows heavily from the Camaro. Add to that a plethora of advanced technology and connectivity features, and it’s no wonder the Blazer attracts so many younger buyers and technophiles. Features like available wireless charging pads, oversized infotainment touchscreens, and a Wi-Fi Hotspot that can accommodate up to seven devices at a time highlight the Blazer’s long list of connected technology.
Power and Capability that Stands Out From the Pack
Payne was right – the Blazer is a looker. And in 2024, it’s also a performer. Offered with an available 308-horsepower V6 and advanced dual-clutch all-wheel drive (RS trim only), the Blazer jets from zero to sixty in a little over six seconds. Responsive steering and confidence-inspiring handling led Car and Driver to declare the 2024 Blazer “easily the best-driving crossover to wear the Chevrolet bow tie.” That’s high praise and feedback buyers looking for something different can count on.
The base Blazer 2LT comes with a standard 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s no slouch in the performance department. Making 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the four-cylinder includes start-stop technology that will shut down the engine during prolonged periods of stopping, such as at a traffic light, to conserve fuel. Fuel economy ratings are impressive – 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway – but Blazers equipped with the more powerful V6 also enjoy excellent fuel economy, at 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway.
Chevy’s powerful V6 comes standard on the Blazer RS and is an optional upgrade on the 3LT and the Premier. Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control smooths the ride and keeps the Blazer glued to the road during turning and cornering. Opting for all-wheel drive—available on the LT and Premier—enhances performance and capability in wet and slippery conditions. As a nice cold-weather bonus, Chevy throws in standard heated front seats across the trim range.
The 2024 Chevy Blazer – For Something a Little Different
The best way to summarize the Blazer’s unique styling and sports car-like vibe is by pointing out that there are no other SUVs with the same combination of features. What buyers will find in the cluttered midsize SUV category is a sea of sameness: vanilla styling, middle-of-the-road capability, and predictable performance. The midsize category gets a shot of adrenaline with the 2024 Blazer, especially with the newest bright blue exterior paint option.
Check out the 2024 Chevy Blazer if style is high on your list of priorities. Are you looking for the most capable Blazer for those wet morning commutes? The powerful RS, with a standard V6 and available twin-clutch all-wheel drive, offers the same valet-ready styling with the capability of an off-road-ready ute. Whichever trim you choose, the Blazer has a lot going for it. In a world of similarities, isn’t it nice that a practical, capable SUV with the heart and soul of a high-performance sports car exists?
