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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  2001 Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dave - September 24 - 9:02 am

  Bought the vehicle used, with low miles, and GM certified. Also purchased the extended warranty, and its a good thing. This vehicle has been in the shop more than any other vehicle Ive ever owned, with oil cooler lines twice, battery cables corroding prematurely, coolant leaks, and worst of all, lack of heat. No one has been able to fix the heat concern, even after seven tries, with the radiator, heater core, and main control head being relpaced, plus a flush. The vehicle is also the worst riding car Ive ever owned.Also rattles everywhere- Dont get me wrong- I am not bashing GM because Ive had other GM products that have been terrific and I definitely will own another- just not a Blazer

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  Needs many improvements - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kneebs - September 23 - 8:20 am

  I have to put a lot of money in the car just go keep it in running condition. There always seems to be something wrong with it. I had to replace the transmission, the brakes a couple times, couple electrical problems. replace egr valve and fuel pump. I dont know whats gonna go wrong next.

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  If you can keep it running, its great! - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By indy mom - September 3 - 3:08 am

  The Blazer has a lot of interior room & is easy to drive (when it is not being worked on). 4WD works great however, engine uses environmentally friendly (orange colored) coolant, which historically causes problems with the gaskets - I ended up dropping a new engine in it at 90,000 miles & now the computer is history at (110,000 miles). Good luck.

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  Not sure if it will last! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By 1choice - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought mine as a GM certified used vehicle with 34400 on it. And like many others in the reviews, mine has been in the shop alot and I do take care of mine with routine maintenance! Shocks had to be replaced at 35000K, & seals at 36000K, pinion bearing, steering column problems, wheel bearing, rattles at the door trims, etc. The whole vehicle shudders at 60 - 65 MPH, and forget driving really fast like 75-80 MPH, it really shakes then! I bought this vehicle with the intent of keeping it for a long time, however, even with proper maintenance, I find myself wondering if it will last past 60000K!

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  1998 4wd Blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Conrad - August 23 - 11:37 pm

  I keep thinking just one more repair and it will last me awhile. Door hinges replaced, oil lines replaced, intake manifold gaskets replaced , cat replaced, air cond replaced, blinker switch replaced, O2 sensor bad now the air conditioner is acting up again. Besides that, a decent auto, ha ha, Thinking of getting a full size. Gas mileage for the Blazer is the same as a full size truck these days. The newer 5.3 v-8s are getting close to 19 mpg on the highway, my Blazer is only 18 at best. I might as well have the room and power if the gas mileage is going to stink.

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  2000 blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By lavanah - August 15 - 1:02 pm

  It is in the shop for a lot of repairs. Bells and whistles means there is a lot to break. The tranny is gone at 113,000 and I have a porous engine block.

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  Cheap and Easy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeff - August 9 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 169k and have had no problems to date. I wanted a cheap SUV that was still in good condition. The body is good with no rust, the engine runs great, and the interior is still in very good condition. For $2,700, I know I got a great deal.

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  This is an expensive car to take care of - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Stacey Klein - August 2 - 12:48 pm

  I bought a Blazer when I was pregnant with my first child. At first it was comfortable. Not a month went by that the Check Engine LIght didnt come on. This SUV has been in and out of the garage for so many things that we had to open up a savings account just to put money aside for repairs. The 4x4 doesnt work, heater core went twice, ABS is horrible in snow. The only thing I can say is that the leather interior was nice and the outside was sharp looking. The thing just was a money pit and I had to get rid of it.

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  No more Blazers for me! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Maureen - July 30 - 3:05 pm

  Perhaps we should have not leased this vehicle for 5 years, but the reliability as well as mechanical functions are starting to fail. The vehicle will shift itself into 4 wheel drive. We have had it in for service for this, and the dealer cannot find the reason why it is doing this. The front brakes especially are awful, and they have had to be replaced way too often. I dont drive a lot of miles to work, or drive the vehicle a lot in general. Not a lot of excess wear and tear to explain the need for the brakes to be replaced as frequently as they have been. And gas mileage is terrible. My hubbys F-150 gets better gas mileage than the Blazer does. A lot of squeaks and rattles while driving.

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  Thing break all the time - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By DonKKong - July 30 - 5:33 am

  Fuel pump, alternator, too much more to list went as soon as it was out of warranty. Last time I buy a lousy GM. Glad to see that seat lever wasnt just me.