2019 Chevrolet Blazer Starts at the Most Obvious Price in Its Class

Sporting two rows of seating, front-wheel drive as a starting point, and a historical name sure to anger Bowtie brand diehards, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer revealed itself in June and almost immediately fell from view (and conversation). Compare the nameplate’s return to that of the yet-unseen Ford Bronco, which generated gigatons of buzz in the months and years preceding its upcoming reveal.

The Blazer name’s resurrection, unlike that of the Bronco, wasn’t designed to signal the return of the same vehicle. Chevy had a hole in its utility lineup — created by the newly downsized Equinox and generously sized Traverse — in need of filling. While the sizing seems correct, many took exception to the vehicle being just another a unibody brossover. The appeal of name recognition tipped the decision makers at GM into dusting off a nameplate easily recognized by anyone who lived and breathed in North America during the past 40 years. Purists be damned.

As for pricing, to best battle its midsize(ish) competitors, GM decided on a very predictable base MSRP for its reborn Blazer.

Getting into a base Blazer L will set you back $29,995 after destination. This makes for good advertising copy, as rival Ford’s Edge SE retails for $29,995 before destination, not that many people notice the asterisk. The Edge, of course, offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter making 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

For the starting price, Blazer L buyers stand to gain a pretty FWD crossover powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with stop/start. Power amounts to 193 hp and 188 lb-ft, channelled through a nine-speed automatic to the base model’s 18-inch tires. Depending on personal taste, the Blazer’s looks might set it apart from other small/midsize offerings. Chevy seems to feel there’s a Camaro vibe going on.

The AWD system available on the one-from-base Blazer trim level is not the more sophisticated twin-clutch system found on the midrange RS and uplevel Premier. Those models gain GM’s familiar 3.6-liter V6 (305 hp, 269 lb-ft) as standard kit, though Blazer buyers can also have one if they’d like.

Chevy boasts of the standard features found in the base Blazer — a list that includes keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, and GM’s Teen Driver feature. Moving up the trim and options ladder brings many more niceties on board, as well as price.

Sadly, GM isn’t saying what it’ll cost to get into anything but the entry-level Blazer. Pricing and further details should roll out in advance of the model’s January 2019 on-sale date.

[Images: General Motors]