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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  Works for me - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By TOMKAT - March 2 - 8:15 pm

  Bought the car because it was cheap and clean. It had 83000 mi on it when we got it, now has 118000. It has had a few problems but nothing I would not have expected from a car of that milage. Key switch replaced, air cond. compressor, rear wiper motor and upper/lower ball joints.

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  Cursed - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By StopDropRoll - January 27 - 4:06 pm

  I bought mine with 30,000 miles. Initially, it performed well. At 56,000 miles altinator, starter replaced, heater quit. Heater, despite repeated repair remains unreliable. Many problems detected related to the coolant GM used. Most of the interior plastic moldings have worked themselves loose. Both front doors sagged and had to have pins replaced. Car jack rattles in storage. Brake rotors warped, were difficult and expensive to replace. Substantial play has developed in the steering. The engine is strong, but not efficent. Averages 16 mpg. Mass flow sensor replaced at 90,000 miles. Catalytic converter replaced at 96,000 miles. Lifters had to be replaced at 112,000 miles.

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  so-so - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By db - January 27 - 12:06 pm

  Have owned my 2wd Blazer almost 5yrs. Will probably not own another. Love the performance and comfort. Gas mileage has slipped (22 17mpg). Had to have oil lines fixed, lost handle to pass.seat first wk I owned it. Hate the placement of the roof pillers. Drivers door hinge always loose. I take immaculate care of this car. Always drove GM cars. Will not buy this one again. GM can do better.

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  Doomed from the factory - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By bf23 - January 20 - 10:35 pm

  These Blazers have problems. Cooling problems, engine problems, 4wd problems. They are expensive to fix. Spent over 2000 dollars in 2 months on the cooling system. Almost all Blazers build up coolant sludge, and the cooling system immediatly starts to break down. Not worth it. Do yourself a favor and buy another car. The used sale price may be enticing, but the repairs are ridiculous. Its impossible to work on this car! Almost impossible to change the spark plug wires, and impossible to change the spark plugs. The drivers side has a steering rack running right by the plug, thus you cant get in there with a wrench.

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  Dont buy - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By fran - December 24 - 4:24 pm

  I purchased and as I was leaving the lot I found out it had no power! (windows, seats, doors)Cost $32,000. I had to have the brakes replaced at 1000 miles they were all rusted out. The rear seat I was told seats 3 accross. It seats 3 very small adults squished. It would seat 2 adults across. It has many blind spots, this surprised me because of how high it sits. It handles well on snow/ice in 4wd. this is not a on the fly switch however.

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  Its alright - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nate - November 15 - 2:11 am

  Its an alright truck all around but I still feel more comfortable driving an old beat up Civic. It doesnt feel stable off road and Im constantly having mechanical issues with it but it does all that its technically supposed to I guess.

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  Disapointment - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Hal - November 5 - 5:25 pm

  Bought this from original owner. Had 60000 miles on it. Had to put 3500 in it within 6 months. Heard that this was 1st year for this design and many problems. When it runs it is nice but A/C, ABS, radiator and brakes didnt last. Wouldnt recomend this particular year.

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  Should Have Been Better - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By William Goulding - November 5 - 1:41 pm

  This Blazer 22000 miles on it. The grill bowtie bad had to be replaced the fuel tank over flow tube pinches replaced right front axle needed repair the rear window trim both left and right had to be replaced because of bad paint the water thermostat stuck open and needed to be replaced.

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  Good? Bad? - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GMJohn - November 3 - 12:55 am

  Bought this lease return (Carfax Info) vehicle used about 2 1/2 years ago. Has been good second vehicle until recently with failure of lower ball joints and discovery that the "noise" in the back I have heard for last 5-6 months is apparently the carrier bearings in the rear end which resulted in early failure of entire rear end (estimate of $1200 +/-). It may be time for a replacement vehicle especially since mileage has always been about 17mpg highway.

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  1997 Chevy Blazer - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By FRED - October 20 - 8:57 pm

  AC-bad compressor, bad fuel pump, bad wiper motor, blower motor, upper ball joints, tail gate jammed, bad transmission, outside mirror fell off truck, bad turn signal switch, bad rear wiper motor, bad catalytic converter, bad hazard switch, bad headlight switch, bad heater switch inside, strike plate on drivers door fell off truck and had to weld it back on. Bad gas mileage.