After a 14-year hiatus, Chevy’s popular Blazer has returned, sporting much of what was loved about the original, but wrapped in a modern package. We review the evolution of the Blazer’s interior.
The first Chevy Blazer hit the market in 1969 and was called the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. This Blazer was based on the C/K pickup chassis and was manufactured between 1969 and 1991. The name was shortened to just Blazer in 1992. The Chevy K5 Blazers had removable tops on them until 1975.
The history of the Chevy Blazer is varied. In total, Chevrolet has released seven distinct models. In 1995, the Blazer was replaced by the Chevy Tahoe. But over the years, many similar models have surfaced, including the Chevy Trailblazer.
Eventually, the original Blazer reemerged in 2019 as a mid-size crossover that has been available ever since.
All of these Chevy Blazer SUVs share a similar spirit, but different specs and interiors.
Birth of the Blazer
Today’s Chevrolet Blazer, which takes its visual cues from the Chevy Camaro, is a far cry from the original Blazer that debuted in 1969, created as a no-frills off-road competitor to the Ford Bronco, Jeep Cherokee, and International Harvester Scout. But how does its interior stack up throughout its history? It depends on your perspective.
Descended from Chevrolet’s C/K full-size pickup platform, the first Chevrolet Blazer, a two-door sport utility vehicle, had standard four-wheel drive and a removable fiberglass hardtop.
Larger than the Bronco, it was 180-inches long, had 7.3 inches of ground clearance, and featured a barebones cabin where everything was optional. That included the front passenger’s seat; only the driver’s seat was standard. A second-row bench seat was optional, as were vinyl front bucket seats with a center console.
Redesigned for 1973, the second-generation Blazers arrived still sporting their removable hardtop – a feature that would continue through 1975. Now seven inches longer, the Blazer was roomier inside but every bit as basic, as most comfort and convenience features were still optional, including a Cheyenne trim package that gussied up the interior somewhat.
For 1976, the Blazer was built with a fixed steel roof over the front seats, and a removable rear fiberglass roof. This allowed for the installation of federally-mandated front seat shoulder belts, but the interior was still fairly sparse, with most comfort and convenience items remaining optional.
Intermittent windshield wipers became a new option in 1977, and power door locks, power windows, and a folding rear seat were offered for the first time in 1978. Other options would follow in the coming years, including an eight-track, cassette, or CD player/radio; and dual front and rear air-conditioning.
1990s: Chevy S-10 Blazer & Tahoe Debut
The full-size Blazer’s interior remained largely unchanged until 1992 when the third generation debuted. Gone was its removable rear roof, replaced with a solid, fixed steel roof – but at least seats were now standard equipment. It would last until 1995 when its name was changed to Tahoe, and a four-door model was added.
Now, the Blazer name was worn by a smaller SUV, one that arrived 12 years earlier in 1983 as the S-10 Blazer.
As its name implies, the S-10 Blazer was based on Chevrolet’s compact S-10 pickup truck and was still a body-on-frame, truck-based SUV. Looking much like a Blazer that was left in the dryer too long, it also only came with two doors, was 14.5 inches shorter, and 14.9 inches narrower than its larger sibling — and it lacked its removable roof.
Interior ambiance was much like that of the Blazer, with a dashboard trimmed in a silver finish, and door panels made of molded plastic. Most features were optional, including a digital clock, rear defogger, air-conditioning, front center console, power door locks, upgraded instrumentation, tinted glass, an audio system, spare tire, a folding rear bench seat, tilt steering wheel, power windows, and intermittent windshield wipers. A four-door S-10 Blazer was added for 1992.
When the full-size Blazer became the Tahoe in 1995, Chevrolet dropped the S-10 designation from the compact Blazer, which was redesigned that same year. Both two-door and four-door models were offered.
Top-of-the-Line Trailblazer Trim
As big a shock as this might have been, the more important transformation occurred on the 1999 Blazer, when a new top-of-the-line Trailblazer trim level was introduced. Tuned more for urban streets than bucolic trails, its interior heralded the end of poorly built, sparsely equipped Blazers.
Confusingly, three years later, the TrailBlazer became its own top-of-the-line four-door model in 2002, one that looked similar but was unrelated to the Blazer. Both were sold alongside the other through 2005.
The following year, 2003, saw the introduction of the TrailBlazer EXT, a new model that was 16.2 inches longer than the standard Trailblazer, with enough room to add a third-row split-folding bench seat. The TrailBlazer would remain in production through 2008. It was replaced by the Traverse in 2009, a car-based crossover that remains in production today. The TrailBlazer name reappeared in 2021 on a subcompact crossover produced by GM Korea.
2019 Chevrolet Blazer Relaunches a Legend
The Blazer name would remain dormant until the debut of the midsize 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. While many heralded its return, it was no longer a truck-based SUV. Instead, it’s a crossover sport utility vehicle, more the foul weather warrior with a fashion sense shaped by the Chevrolet Camaro.
This can most clearly be seen on the instrument panel, which takes its styling cues from its sports car sibling. There are novel touches that surprise and delight, such as the round air vents with rotating bezels that adjust the automatic climate control. It’s a simple elegant solution. Similarly, the instrument cluster and shifter lend front seat occupants a sense of design déjà vu, even if the cabin doesn’t strictly mimic the Camaro.
And yet in one way, it does. It doesn’t offer as much space as you might expect when compared to such popular competitors as the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Blazer is the classic modern American vehicle, forgoing some cargo and passenger capacity in the name of flamboyant style.
Take out the measuring tape, and you’ll find the Blazer does not provide the most space in a two-row midsize crossover SUV.
Among the four models, the Blazer measures up to three inches longer than its competition, yet offers the least amount of interior volume, surrendering up to seven cu. ft. of passenger volume and nearly 11 cu. ft. of cargo space. This is mainly due to its relatively low height of 67 inches, 1.3 inches lower than the Ford and a whopping 5.2 inches lower than the Honda.
These exterior dimensions directly affect interior capacity, with Chevrolet having the least rear-seat headroom, front seat shoulder room, and the least hip room front and rear.
Of course, such snugness is an integral part of its identity as being derived from Camaros, even if its platform is actually shared with the GMC Acadia, and the Cadillac XT5. But the Chevy does get kudos for its generous legroom, measurements topped only by Ford.
But the Blazer’s raison d’etre is not about drab functionality, but about delivering a pleasingly sporty setting. And it manages to do both.Offered in ascending L, LT, RS, and Premier trim levels, all boast cabins that have a distinct feel. The L and LT lack the sporty trim of the RS and the premium feel of the Premier. But if you’re a longtime Blazer fan, that might be preferable. Nevertheless, there are some things to consider before opting against those higher trim levels.
Yes, the price-leading L trim level is far better equipped than the Blazers of yesteryear. Interior features include a 4.2-inch color driver information center, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, air filtration system, electronic locking glove box, carpeted floor mats, keyless entry, power door locks, power windows, rear-seat air vents, rear window defogger, umbrella holders, and premium cloth seats.
You’ll also get a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, but it’s manually adjustable, not power-operated as in other trims. It comes with a standard high-definition rear-view camera, and a tire pressure monitor, both required under federal law. You’ll also get active noise cancellation, which uses in-cabin microphones to extricate unwanted noise.
Technologically, the Blazer has all of the essentials, including a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot, and Bluetooth. It has USB ports for charging only, as well as an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. But higher trim levels include front USB data ports and auxiliary input jack with SD card reader, and a high-definition eight-inch touchscreen.
Keep in mind that the L’s low price means living without amenities you might expect, such as a 120-volt power outlet, power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting, automatic heated steering wheel, and cargo tie-down points, all of which are standard on pricier trim levels.
In addition, you can’t get some enviable options on the L, such as an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, first aid kit, heated rear seats, surround-view camera, highway safety kit, a cargo net, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, memory seats, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, ventilated seats, rear camera mirror, remote starting, retractable cargo shade, and Sirius XM satellite radio.
You also can’t get options that make hauling stuff easier, such as cargo dividers, or a floor-mounted rail system with attachments that help contain items from moving while you’re driving.
Opting for the 1LT, 2LT, or 3LT packages raises the price but doesn’t appear to add much in the way of additional interior features, although that improved for 2021. An integrated navigation system and a power programmable liftgate are now standard on the 3LT for 2021, something that wasn’t true previously. You can also get the liftgate as an optional on L and other LT trims.
Pre-owned vs. New Blazer
On pricier Blazers, an automatic heated steering wheel is now standard on RS and Premier models. Despite the Blazer’s modest trim changes for 2021, you’ll have to spring for the sporty RS or fully-loaded Premier trim level to add extra interior panache – something that’s true regardless of the model year.
So, while prices may start at less than $29,000, you’ll have to spend at least $43,000 before options to land a Blazer with features that go beyond the basics. But considering the price of SUVs, you may not find that surprising.
Given the lack of change to the Blazer’s interior over the past three model years, you might consider a used one. Buying a 2019 Blazer 3LT all-wheel drive will run around $30,000, a 21.3 percent saving before options compared to an identical 2021 model.
Nonetheless, you might find its ambiance is worth the price, if only because high-fashion always costs more, whether it’s clothing, accessories, or cars.
Another pore-owned option to consider is the 2020 Blazer, which earned near-perfect five-star marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration across the board, except for four-star ratings for rollover and front passenger side frontal crash impact.
The interior of the 2020 Chevy Blazer has all of the standards: USB data and charging ports, an eight-point digital compass, and seating for five. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 comes with an eight-inch diagonal color touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2020 Blazer isn’t loaded down with extra bells and whistles, but it does have everything you need.
While Chevrolet marketers and many pundits compare the Blazer to a Camaro, there’s no mistaking it for its muscle car cousin – but you can actually see out of the Blazer while driving. With supportive seats and a quiet cabin, the Blazer offers a comfortable ride and has upper-level interiors with features you’ll appreciate, such as a sliding rear bench seat that expands the rear cargo area without sacrificing passenger seating. The seats also recline, and they have seat heaters on upper trim levels.
Upfront, you’ll find the cabin to be set up as you’d expect, with a traditional transmission shift lever, and a rotating dial to select different driving modes, including all-wheel drive (if equipped), tour, tow/haul, off-road, and sport. There’s also an impressively roomy center console bin, that includes an organizer for smaller items on upper trim levels.
Similar to the Cadillac XT5, the Blazer has a row of climate control buttons below the infotainment system that clearly separates its function from the touchscreen above it. The touchscreen’s software is easy to learn and intuitive to operate. Underneath it is a volume knob and redundant buttons for the audio system. Thoughtfully, it’s Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatible.
To the left of the screen is the Blazer’s starter button, which is placed high where it’s easy to reach. Just below it is a button that shuts off the automatic stop/start function, which may save fuel, but many find it annoying. Its placement underneath the starter button makes it easy to find at a moment’s notice.
Ergonomically, the cabin is well designed, but some of the trim feels cheap, despite some upscale comfort and convenience features such as heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats, and ambient lighting.
Blazer Recalls
That said, although the Blazer’s construction quality is very good, there have been two recalls concerning some interior components. The first recall involves the roof rail airbag in some 2020 Blazers, which may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The second involves certain 2021 Blazers, which have seat belts that were attached using incorrect bolts. These recalls are fairly easy fixes, and overall, its interior recall record is fairly unblemished compared to some competitors.
Overall, while you’ll never mistake the Blazer’s interior for a Camaro’s, its athletic ambiance makes it unique among Chevrolet and General Motors’ SUVs.
Photos: Chevrolet; GM Media Archive
