2020 Chevrolet Blazer Turbo's Extra Punch Comes at a Price

Chevrolet’s Blazer, a resurrected midsize crossover many claim fails to uphold the prior Blazer’s memory, will gain a new powerplant for 2020, but naysayers could easily find a problem in GM’s decision-making here, too.

Thanks to order guides, we now know what you’ll pay to get behind the wheel of a 2020 Blazer outfitted with the tweener turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

According to Cars Direct, the turbo Blazer starts at $33,995 after destination, offered only in mid-level 2LT and 3LT guise. It’s a climb from the base Blazer L, which starts at $29,995 and finds motivation from a more tepid 2.5-liter four.

The 2.0T engine makes 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, a definite power bump from the base mill’s 193 hp and 188 lb-ft. All Blazers share the same nine-speed automatic. However, the cheapest turbo Blazer’s price starts just $500 below that of the cheapest V6-powered Blazer, a model that starts at $34,495. (These are all front-drive prices; the base 2.5L isn’t offered with AWD.)

The same engine price gap exists when you opt for a 3LT model.

Going the V6 route nets a buyer 308 hp and 270 lb-ft without too much of a fuel economy penalty. The EPA rates the V6 Blazer at 21 mpg combined for both FWD and AWD variants, whereas base four-banger buyers can expect 23 mpg. While the currently unrated turbo model will undoubtedly beat the V6’s highway figure, the Blazer isn’t a featherweight, and turbo crossovers usually suffer in city economy, pushing overall gas mileage southward. A hybrid it is not, so expect only a slight improvement on the 2.5L’s combined fuel economy, if anything.

A brand spokesperson contacted by Cars Direct says the engine addition delivers “more choice” (no argument there) and offers greater power and efficiency than the 2.5-liter. We’re all for freedom of choice, but the narrow price gap between the lowest-rung turbo and V6 models will surely offer food for thought for prospective buyers. Add to that the fact that the turbo engine drinks premium fuel (the V6 is fine with 87 octane) and that max towing capacity (4,500 pounds) can only be reached with the 3.6-liter.

[Images: General Motors]