2022 Chevrolet Blazer Test Drive Review: Blazing Ahead With Confidence

Not much has changed for the Chevrolet Blazer since its reintroduction to society in 2019, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The attractive styling and surprisingly sporty handling have helped the crossover win the hearts of fans new and old. The capable turbo four-pot and V6 develop 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft and 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, respectively. And while it may go toe-to-toe with competitors like the Honda Passport or Ford Edge on the road, it falls a little behind in terms of passenger and cargo space. That said, it is a highly capable automobile that has what it takes to go the distance in the USA, where the brand is already eminently popular.

This is not the first time we've driven a V6-powered Blazer but it was nice to get behind the wheel once again to see how this hot-selling crossover has stood the test of time. Our week-long tester was a fully-equipped 2022 Blazer RS AWD. Having power going to all four wheels was a huge plus following several inches of snow falling to the ground. We also found ourselves impressed with the Blazer's generally solid overall build quality, slick styling inside and out, strong V6, and an array of standard safety features. But, the competition continues to improve and the Blazer's upcoming mid-life facelift should address this. Without question, the 2022 Blazer remains a solid choice but, once optional features are added, gets expensive very quickly.

What's the Price of the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer?

The loss of the L and 1LT trims has increased the price of entry to the Blazer range from last year's $28,800 for the L to this year's $33,400 for the front-wheel-drive 2LT with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The 3LT opens the bidding at $37,600 and can be upgraded with the V6 engine for an additional $500. The athletic RS carries a price of $41,100 in its V6-only guise, while the Premier costs exactly the same as a 2.0-liter turbo and $41,600 as a V6. All trims can alter their configurations by adding AWD; the 2LT and 3LT raise their cost by $2,700 each in this instance, while the RS and Premier go up by $2,900. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or the $1,195 destination fee attributed to Chevrolet vehicles like the Blazer.

Our Blazer RS AWD came to a grand total of $50,585, including the destination charge. Do the quick math and that comes to around $5,500 worth of options. For a brand that prides itself on affordability and general bang for the bunk, we fail to find that here. Put another way, the slightly smaller but just as fun (if not more so) to drive BMW X3 can be nicely equipped for just over $51,000.

2022 Blazer Exterior

Dimensions

2022 Blazer Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Designed to be more fun to drive than your average SUV, the Blazer certainly delivers, so long as you spec it correctly. Complementing each of the engines are responsive handling dynamics and a well-tuned nine-speed auto gearbox - definitely a recipe for success.

The steering is light and responsive around town, but it gains some pleasing heft at higher speeds, and feedback is better than we've come to expect from many modern crossovers. As for comfort, there is room for improvement, but only harsher road imperfections should cause any real problems for the suspension.

However, all of this is subject to change, depending on the drive mode you select when you opt for the AWD setup. The Blazer's drive-mode selector offers five choices in this regard. Tow/Haul is pretty self-explanatory, as is Off-road, which tweaks the chassis control systems for better grip over uneven terrain. The AWD option also improves grip but focuses on slippery road conditions. Tour mode will likely be your go-to option when commuting since it sends all the power to the front wheels only to optimize fuel economy. But, if you want a little fun around town or through fast sweeps, Sport mode increases steering effort and recalibrates the gearbox's shifts for more engagement.

If that last part sounds particularly appealing, then the V6-only RS trim might be right up your alley. It naturally comes with sport-tuned steering and suspension, offering firmer feedback and sharper responses. It also suffers less from body roll, something we almost immediately noticed.

2022 Blazer Interior

2022 Blazer Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer A Good SUV?

The Chevrolet Blazer is more than just a sexy piece of machinery. It offers a choice of two good engines, so it has the power to deliver a few thrills. On top of that, it has much of the practicality that makes crossovers so popular, such as a spacious interior and a large trunk. That said, however, there are several rivals out there that have it beat in both areas.

But when you combine these factors with engaging driving dynamics, a decent list of standard features, and decent fuel economy for the segment, you'd be hard-pressed to fault it for a shortcoming or two. The latest updates have also dropped last year's underpowered and under-specced base trims.

Often, you have to choose between practicality or fun, but Chevrolet says you can have your cake and eat it. So if you're going to throw a party, the Blazer should be your guest of honor, because very few crossovers can do as much as it does with the same degree of style and finesse. However, the one key area where Chevy hasn't delivered on - and it should - is value. A fully-loaded V6 Blazer RS AWD is not cheap. Read more about this below.

What Chevy Blazer Model Should I Buy?

If you don't want to skip the advanced driver-assistance tech, that rules out the 2LT. That leaves you with the 3LT, RS, and Premier, which are each quite close in price. You're probably going to add on the V6 engine anyway, so you might as well get the extras that come along with the RS or Premium. We recommend opting for the RS, which offers the most fun with the re-tuned suspension and tighter steering. You could stop there and be more than happy with your purchase, which will cost you $44k, but if you have a little extra cash leftover in your budget, the all-wheel drivetrain helps the crossover to deal with unexpected road conditions, or you could put that two grand towards upgrading the sound system and comfort features if you live in a perpetually sunny climate. Our only complaint about the RS trim is its high price tag.

2022 Chevrolet Blazer Comparisons

2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs Ford Edge

The Blazer feels like a gauntlet thrown in the neverending feud between Chevy and Ford. With looks to match or even outclass the Edge, the Blazer is up against some stiff competition in the US. Unfortunately, even with its potent 308-hp V6 engine, it can't quite compete since the Edge is available in a high-performance ST variant. Developing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft, it races ahead of the Chevy, even though it only costs $2k more than the top-tier Blazer. However, even when looking at the base guises, the Edge ST has the edge in some areas, forgive the pun. It blows the Chevy away with its 39.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while still offering competitive gas mileage of 19/25/21 mpg against the Blazer V6 AWD's 19/26/21 mpg. In its attempts to look cooler than the competition, the Blazer made a few too many sacrifices in terms of practicality, which is why we believe the Ford Edge is still the smarter choice.

2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs Honda Passport

Revived from the dead, much like the Blazer, the Honda Passport is set to be one of its prime rivals. While it only offers a single engine, the power plant is almost on par with the Chevy's V6 at 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. The Blazer gets from 0 to 60 mph in around half a second less but falls short in maximum towing capacity by 500 lbs. Similarly equipped inside, the Passport has a bit more headroom to keep occupants from feeling claustrophobic, and it offers a whole lot more cargo space - 41.2 to 77.9 cubic feet depending on seat configuration. However, it can't claim to be particularly fuel-efficient at 20/25/22 mpg. So, if you need to move loads of people and stuff around town on a regular basis, the Passport seems like the winner, but if you want to do just about anything else, we recommend the Blazer.