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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  GM Junk-Chev Blazer 98 - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By k bryant - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Heres a list of things that have failed a vehicle that was well maintained. NOT at all happy with GM and have always been a GM buyer. Not likely to be this time around. -3 bad injectors -axle boots failed before 50K miles -cat and O2 sensor failed at 80K miles -transmission failed at just over 100K miles, $2,600 to rebuild, was serviced at 60K even though dealer said it didnt need it until 100K! -TPS sensor failed at 120K. -fuel pump failed-125K. -water pump-130K. -A/C compressor failed-130K. -heater core failed-138K. -both oil lines for remote oil filter have failed with leaks -And, to top it all off the head gasket finally decided it was time to go.

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  Chevrolet Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pam Watts - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with the suspension on this vehicle. It was put in the shop two different times, for a week each time. Problem never corrected. Struts and shocks were replaced, but htis wasnt the problem. Vehicle creaks and squeaks when you hit any type of irregularity in the road. Sounds like the chassis will come apart, also embarrasing. Mechanics say they cant find the problem. Out of warrenty now.

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  Chevy Blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Carlas Stone - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Best decision my wife and I have ever made in our auto purchases. Our kids love the space,comfort and look as well as my wife and I. I plan to be a long time customer of chevrolet for they have never left me dissapointed.

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  Chevy Blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By blippo - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Blazer for 4 months now. The bad points, it leans around curves, 20 mph highway gas mileage.

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  the blaze - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cck - January 22 - 2:00 am

  have not had many problems with mine. the egr valve stuck open once and i had to put a fuel pump in it but its been good to me with 115,000 miles on it

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  WHY? - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Joe Joe - January 21 - 2:00 am

  How can they still be buying ball joints and oil lines from the same vendors after all these years?! I like the looks of the Equinox, but Im scared to buy a Chev again!

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  Excellent Truck - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By K. Curtis - January 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought this new in 2001, and other than a few minor cosmetic things, it has been a great truck. We have had not problems with it and it is really fun to drive. Its a great looking truck and I love it. I would definitely look at them again when we get ready to trade.

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  Dont Wast Your Money - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By hixsonr - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck used three years ago...first the trasmission went ($2000) then about a year later every front suspension part broke one at a time...once all the parts were repaced the factory weld failed in two places by the front left tire..the cooling system...turns out chevey put out a tech memo that they messed up the cooling system, but didnt recall it only fixed selected models...mine wasnt one of them...slowely all of the parts of the cooling system started to go. first it was the intake gasket, the heater core, the thermastate.etc...thousands of dollars in repare...dont wast your money oh and the tires their never on sale

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  Not enough power, but packs a punch - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By AJ0206 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Having owned my 2000 4 door Blazer for a year, I have been pleasantly suprised. The build quality was better than the many GM vehicles I had previously owned. The ride is comfortable, and doesnt jar you, as a truck ride usually will. The interior build qualitly is good, if not a little drab in monotone grey.

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  Lemon - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Cavanaugh - January 14 - 2:00 am

  The blazer has been my favorite car to drive. Good ride. But I have had too many problems with it in the 3 years Ive owned it.: Multi-switch, abs modular, Oil cooling hoses, Stripping around windows, brand new transmission, now something in the front end I have to have checked. This is the last American Car I will own.