Overview & Reviews

The Chevrolet Blazer was one of the most popular SUVs for five consecutive decades, though its name was shared by two completely unrelated model lines. Chevrolet first started affixing the "K5 Blazer" designation to two-door convertible SUV versions of its big trucks starting in 1969.

Today, most of the old-school K5 Blazers have long since rusted away or have otherwise been reclaimed by off-roading enthusiasts. Chevy continued to produce full-size, two-door Blazers through 1994, after which it rechristened these vehicles with the now-current Tahoe name.

In the early 1980s, however, Chevrolet started to call another one of its products the Blazer. And in actuality, the other Chevy Blazer -- the "S-10 Blazer" -- is the one consumers are most likely to come across in the used-car market due to its greater popularity and more recent place in history.

Born as a variant of Chevrolet's S-10 compact pickup in 1983, this S-10 Blazer was a pioneer of the modern small-SUV segment. Though initially limited in terms of body styles and often underpowered, it did eventually receive four doors and better engines. A redesigned second-generation model (without the S-10 moniker) arrived in 1995 with improvements in performance, styling and interior room.

As an inexpensive choice for a small or midsize SUV, a second-generation Chevy Blazer might be worth a look. However, compared to other vehicles of the time, this Blazer was let down by average driving dynamics, middling comfort and poor crash test scores.

Most Recent Chevrolet Blazer

The second-generation Chevrolet Blazer was produced from 1995 to 2005. In terms of size, it was bigger than its predecessor but smaller than competing midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The two-door version was sold throughout the model run, but the four-door was discontinued after 2004, with fleet sales continuing through '05. If you encounter an '05 four-door Blazer on the used market, chances are it used to be a rental car. (Consumers should note that four-door Blazers from this era are unrelated to the superseding TrailBlazer that arrived for '02.)

The second-gen Chevy Blazer's mechanicals were largely consistent throughout its lifetime. Under the hood was a 4.3-liter V6 producing 190 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. It was typically connected to a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic, though a five-speed manual transmission was available on two-door models. Rear-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive were offered.

The Blazer initially came in three trim lines: base, LS and LT. The base model started with little more than a radio, air-conditioning and antilock brakes, but the LS added the features most consumers expected: power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, a folding rear seat and cruise control. The luxurious four-door-only LT upgraded to leather upholstery, a power driver seat, a more deluxe stereo and an overhead console. A "TrailBlazer" trim line with two-tone leather and unique styling became the new range-topper in 1999. Chevrolet realigned the trim levels in 2000, dropping the base model and de-contenting the LT (leather seats became optional). In model year 2001 the Blazer Xtreme arrived. This 2WD, two-door model had a low-riding sport suspension, deep-dish wheels, a monochromatic exterior and tinted windows.

In our initial reviews of the Chevrolet Blazer, we found it quick (thanks to its robust V6), fun to drive around town, comfortable to ride in and decently capable off-road. However, as better competitors emerged, the Blazer's handling seemed sloppy and vague and its turning circle wide. We also found that rear-seat comfort was lacking due to a low bench and inadequate foot room. Other faults included spotty build quality and low-grade interior plastics.

Of the few changes to affect the Chevy Blazer during its long life, the most crucial came in 1998 when it gained revised inner and outer styling, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and a passenger-side front airbag. The addition of a second airbag is especially important in light of the Blazer's very poor NHTSA one-star frontal crash test score for the passenger in prior years. After the revision, the score jumped to four. Another major change came for the 1999 model year when Chevrolet introduced a new AutoTrac four-wheel-drive system that could automatically sense wheel slippage and send power to the axle with the most traction.

Past Chevrolet Blazer models

The original Chevrolet S-10 Blazer was produced from 1983 to 1994. Through much of the 1980s, it relied on a variety of four-cylinder and V6 engines, all with meager outputs. The S-10 Blazer's first big improvement came in 1988 when it gained an optional 4.3-liter V6 with 160 hp. That V6 finally became standard in 1990.

The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer's second major improvement came in 1991 when Chevy introduced a four-door version based on a slightly longer body. This certainly helped improve the vehicle's appeal, as did an optional "Enhanced" version of the V6 engine that brought horsepower to 200.

Though popular, the S-10 Blazer was increasingly outclassed as the 1990s came about. In particular, the Blazer's sloppy handling, harsh ride, cramped backseat and poorly designed controls made it look crude compared to newer designs like the the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder of the time.

As for the full-size Chevrolet Blazer, the best models from the early '90s to look at would be those built from 1992 to 1994. These redesigned models were built using GM's then-new full-size truck platform. A 200-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 powered nearly all Blazers of this generation, though a 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 with 180 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque was optional for '94. Four-wheel drive was standard across the board. In 1995, Chevy changed this model's name to Tahoe and introduced a four-door body, which in short time proved to be far more popular than the two-door.

User Reviews:

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  Not a bad car - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kate - December 9 - 6:19 pm

  I think that my car is very reliable. It has had its problems like replacing the tranny. After I bought the vehicle the check engine light came on and has been on ever since. I have had a misfire in the engine and after replacing the spark plug wires and the distributer cap it has run smoothly. The light is still on. I like the drivers seat options. I am a massage therapist and the option for posture is great. I think that it has helped me to be more aware of how I drive. The seats fold down enabling me to move a lot of my junk from place to place. I had to move from Mason City, IA. to Forest City, Ia. and I did it in 3 trips. So the space inside is roomy. I love my car!

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  Handling issues - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By H. Wiebe - November 30 - 3:34 pm

  I have owned my ZR2 Blazer for 21 months. It is a comfortable vehicle in the city and in the country. It is ablsolutely terrible on the highway. It has no tolerance to a gusty cross wind. It goes all over the road. I believe the problem to be the tires. I am getting the published fuel mileage however it doesnt come close to my 89 S-10 which also had a 4.3. I would think the Vortec 4.3 should get better mileage than a throttle body 4.3.

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  Itll get me by for a while. - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tommy - November 29 - 5:27 am

  I bought it because it was cheap and I needed a little work truck/commuter. The tranny has been replaced, the AC has a leak but works if charged, the gas guage doesnt work so I have to keep an eye on mileage (270 miles per tank on average 15-16 MPG in town) The driver door spring broke off but the door still works. The ball joints need to be replaced, and the engine leaks oil pretty bad. Other than that the engine runs strong (especially after injector cleaner added to fuel). Overall, I dont mind my little beater, but it is definitely a short term solution.

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  This Blazer is OK - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By stephen - November 28 - 3:08 pm

  I bought this 96 Blazer new and have found it to be very reliable. It now has 150,000 miles on it,and yes, Ive had to put some money toward repairs, but overall it has been a very good vehicle and Id buy another one in a heartbeat. It still runs great and it has never made me walk. Its very comfortable and the body is holding up nicely. Its been a great car!

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  Best Truck I Ever had - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By sean - November 19 - 9:09 pm

  I just feel so sure when I am driving it that it is going to get me where I am going

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  Blazer - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chevy blazer - November 17 - 9:42 am

  I bought my Blazer for $1800 and put 10,000 miles on it. So far $850 for tranny rebuild. Fuel pump put on before I got it. 4wd works when it wants to. Shake the wires on transfer case sometimes works. EGR no good but you can buy a piece of screen wire from dealer for $16-20 that will reduce carbon build up. Gas mileage in city between 10 or 12 miles to gallon. Gets 17 or 18 mpg on highway. Brakes are no good. On slick surfaces they pulsate and make an awful racket. I guess it is a very poor ABS system. Not to mention I got truck for $1800 because tail lights would not work. Looks nice with $150 exhaust I had to put on because muffer rusted apart. Trim is starting to come off now.

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  Chevy Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By docock - November 15 - 10:43 am

  All in all it is an OK SUV. I wouldnt purchase another one. The inside of the vechicle is not big enough to haul or carry enough people if you have to use car seats. It is not a family SUV. The gas mileage is terrible. I have to fill up the tank once a week just for grocery shopping and taking the kids to school.

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  Cant wait to be rid of it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Rick - November 13 - 9:44 pm

  This vehicle has been nothing but problems and repairs. Has 80,000 miles and my mechanic tells me this thing is having problems that shouldnt be happening until well over 100,000 miles. Replaced altenator twice, replaced fuel pump, gauges dont work, every little thing in the passenger compartment rattles when you are going down the road. Started changing oil at 2,000 mile intervals, because of the incredible amount of sludge I had draining from the oil filter when I would change the oil. Just an overall piece of junk.

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  AFTER ADJUSTMENTS - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By wcorrea - November 12 - 2:00 am

  After a year of driving my Blazer, i must admit that its a keeper. True enough, I made a bad choice of purchasing my truck with 57,000k on the motor at only a year old. But, after a tune-up and changing the air filter from AC Delco to K&N, ive seen a massive improvement. Since having the truck ive driven out of State, to and from the same location twice, once before and after the changes. The first trip took three full tanks of gas, but the second only took two full tanks. So, that was basically one full tank of gas extra in my pocket. And, the filter also improved my performance.

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  Last GM for me - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By j smith - October 11 - 12:03 am

  In the last 10 years I have bought 10 new GM cars or trucks, and I have owned 25 GMs in my life, This Blazer is the main reason I will no longer buy GM. It had two sections of the body repainted in the factoy. Can now be seen due to low clear coat mils that have lost their gloss and some over spray. When I reported the problem to GM, they told me the paint only had a 2 year warranty. It has what feels like an out of balance tire since day one that has never gone away no mater who or how offen the tires were balanced, same for the second set of tires. The seats will not stay locked down and will slide back and forth if gas or brakes are applied hard.