When Chevrolet announced plans to re-launch the Blazer nameplate attached to a new mid-size crossover, many were rightly skeptical. After all, the Chevy Blazer's past life as an SUV goes back decades. It was one of those iconic body-on-frame SUVs that are quickly disappearing. But would the Blazer even work as a crossover? We had our doubts, but then we saw the final product. With its sporty, Camaro-inspired exterior styling and premium interior, the reborn Blazer crossover has proven itself. Although it rides on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia, it can be configured in either front-wheel- or all-wheel drive. The Blazer fills the spot in Chevy's lineup between the Equinox and Traverse and so far customer response has been solid. In fact, Blazer buyers are spending serious money.

GM Authority recently spoke to Shad Balch of Chevrolet Communications regarding Blazer sales so far and his response was quite interesting.

"We know that from Blazer, the RS model has been very well received and the take rate is pretty high, and also the Premier as well, but the RS seems to be the one that is catching people's attention right now," Balch said.

The driver-focused Blazer RS carries a base MSRP of $41,795 while the Premier trim begins at $43,895. For comparison, the base L trim has an MSRP of $29,995. The RS and Premier are the only Blazer trims that come standard with the 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The base Blazer L is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with just 193 hp and 188 lb-ft. The mid-range 2LT and 3LT trims pack a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft and the V6 is optional. All Blazers, regardless of trim, come with a nine-speed automatic transmission only.

The fact that the RS and Premier trims are experiencing high take rates is impressive. Both prove buyers are more than happy to spend more for not only a more powerful engine but also for sportier looks and more features often typically found in more expensive brands, such as Buick. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the new 2020 Chevy Trailblazer RS offers similar sporty styling. Through the third business quarter of this year, a total of 20,312 Blazers have been sold in the US, a 25 percent increase from the same time period in 2018.