“Pack your bags, let’s go!” – as I loaded our family of four and enough gear for a movie production for our annual road trip, I could not help but to notice the appeal of a mainstream mid-size crossover like this 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT AWD. No-frill mainstream crossovers have become the minivans of today, so what’s the appeal you ask? Read on to find out.
The Chevrolet Blazer’s nameplate was revived back in 2019 as a mid-sized crossover and instantly generated a buzz for its sleek styling, particularly in the sporty RS trim. It is about the same size as many tweeners such as the Ford Edge and the Honda Passport, and its Camaro-inspired design still looks good three-years into production. The LED headlamps are slightly tinted, adding a bit of additional flair, and those seeking the most athletic styling should consider the Blazer RS that replaces much of the chrome outside for a high-gloss black finish as well as a sportier set of 20-inch wheels.
Standard on the Chevrolet Blazer LT AWD is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. Our tester had the optional 3.6-litre V6 engine – a standard for the True North, RS, and Premier trims. This engine has 308 horsepower at 6,700 RPM, and torque of 270 lb-ft. Power delivery is smooth as one would expect out of a V6 engine, and a standard nine-speed automatic transmission is seamless in delivering power to all four wheels. The engine has more of a relaxed spirit than a peppy one, and the Blazer was quite suitable for a long family road trip like this one as it manages to hum along quietly at highway speeds.
Finding comfort in the Blazer LT AWD was not too difficult; my wife and I enjoyed the supportive seats up front and the kids had plenty of room to kick even in their booster seats. We took advantage of most of the 864 litres of cargo space behind the second row, and those not using the rear seats can get up to 1,818 litres of room. We opted to not to tow anything along for our trip but the Blazer can accommodate a trailer up to 4,500 pounds if needed.
Fuel economy is rated at 12.6L/100km in the city and 9.2L/100km on the highway for a combined figure of 10.9L/100km. Our observed figure for the road trip came to 10.2L/100km, and remarkably we managed to only consume 8.5L/100km for the highway stretch. We credit this to the Blazer’s cylinder deactivation technology that automatically shuts off two cylinders under light load to maximize efficiency. Regular grade gasoline is accepted for the large 82-litre tank, which was another bonus as we were able to complete our 700-km round-trip any fuel stops.
Keeping us entertained throughout our journey was the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System that was, much like the Blazer LT, simple and purposeful. Commands are accepted through the eight-inch touchscreen, with a row of physical shortcut buttons for quick adjustments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is supported, and even though wireless charging is only available for higher trims, there are enough USB ports to keep our devices going. The biggest disappointment is the standard six-speaker audio system’s sound quality, but at least Active Noise Cancellation technology is standard to help keep noise out for enhanced quietness and comfort.
Over the past decade, I have been spoiled by driver assistance features providing peace of mind. While the Blazer LT does not offer a full suite of features, I was glad that it came standard with several crucial ones including Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, as well as optional systems such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Park Assist. On higher trim levels, additional features become standard or available such as Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision, and Safety Alert Seat.
The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT starts at $37,498 for the base front-drive model, commanding an additional $2,900 for all-wheel drive. Surprisingly, the V6 is only a $595 premium over the standard 2.0T, and ours added the Blazer LT Plus ($1,595) and Redline Edition ($1,495) packages to arrive at the $44,083 as-tested sticker.
At the end of the day, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT AWD is a solid utilitarian vehicle that took the task of hauling our family and our cargo like the best of them. It is not the biggest thrill ride out there, nor is it the most technologically savvy, but our family had just as much fun on the road as we did in much fancier rides. This dependable, no-nonsense approach to people carrying is the Blazer LT’s biggest appeal, much like those good old minivans we’ve spent endless miles travelling in.
