The Chevrolet Blazer Has A More Interesting Personality Than Many Midsize SUVs
You could be forgiven for thinking that the modern U.S. market is nothing but SUVs. Every brand is turning them out, and they are up there with the most popular segment today. With the number of affordable models there are today, though, inevitably comes a bit of stagnation in terms of design and what is available.
But then there is the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer. Chevy hasn’t just added what we need day to day, but has also injected a bit of personality into the build. Something that is becoming rarer.
Most Midsize SUVs Play It Safe
Soft noses, sensible dimensions, friendly-looking grilles, and smooth bodies. Models in the modern midsize SUV market are getting harder to distinguish from each other.
We don’t blame automakers, though; there are lots of safety rules, the clean, modern look is in, and when some midsize SUVs only have a starting price of just under $33,000 (like the new Sorento), there isn’t a lot of room to make things look too interesting.
Family-Friendly Rivals Put Practicality Ahead Of Personality
There is also the point of most midsize SUVs: to be useful. Something like the new Honda Pilot is an SUV you are unlikely to regret buying, thanks to its Honda-grade reliability, 113.7 cubic-feet of storage space, proven V6 under the hood, and second row that can be easily tucked away to open up the cargo area. However, for all its good points, it can be described as a little lackluster in terms of design and performance, with practicality coming way ahead of feel.
The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer Brings Sportier Styling
Without having to spend sports car or super-SUV money, the new Chevrolet Blazer does a fine job of injecting a bit more passion into the design without going overboard. There are three trims, with both FWD and AWD options available: the 2LT ($36,295 FWD/$38,295 AWD), the 3LT ($41,695 FWD/$44,395 AWD), and the RS ($45,595 FWD/$48,495 AWD).
Camaro-Inspired Design Is Much More Than A Pilot
We wouldn’t say that the Blazer looks anywhere near as sporty as the likes of the Aston Martin DBX, but there is a fair amount of Camaro influence to it. When Chevy developed the Blazer’s 2019 redesign, GM designers drew what a Camaro SUV might look like.
This year’s model carries that on with a broad grille, sharply cut front fascia, and slim LED running lights, with the main headlights positioned below them. Up against the Pilot’s upright nose and softer edges, the Blazer looks more aggressive any way you look at it.
Its profile keeps that edge with pronounced shoulders, sculpted door panels, and chunky wheel arches rather than the more conservative slab-side treatment we see so much. The 2LT rides on 18-inch wheels, and 21-inch high-gloss wheels are available. At the back, you also get angular taillights and a cut-out trunk, giving it a slightly more distinctive outline compared to the “jellybean” SUVs rolling around today.
The RS Trim Adds A More Aggressive Look
The top-trim Blazer RS gets the most unmistakable nod toward sportiness. You get a black grille, black Chevy bowtie emblems, RS-exclusive badging, and 20-inch wheels as standard. You can also add 21-inchers, while the black exterior accents around the body create a nice contrast against color schemes like Radiant Red Tincoat. Chevy also gives the RS dual exhaust outlets with rectangular bright tips, which is again something more than the usual hidden exhaust you find on most modern SUVs.
Some Potent Features Make It More Than Just Looks
While it is never going to beat the Ferrari Purosangue for bold looks or speed, the new Blazer is nicely equipped from the outset for a bit of punch to suit its body.
All trims come equipped with a 228-horsepower/258-pound-foot turbo-four mated to a nine-speed automatic as standard. 0–60 mph times have been clocked at between 7.5 and eight seconds with this setup. Not lightning-quick, but enough for everyday driving.
V6 Option Gives The RS More Punch Than The Turbo Four
If you truly want some sporty performance to suit the RS’s more aggressive look, you can opt for a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 good for 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This will cost you roughly $48,000. Power is routed through a nine-speed auto as well, but exclusively to a twin-clutch AWD rig for a more athletic feel in the wet and off the line.
0–60 times for the V6-equipped Blazer RS have been clocked at around 6.6 seconds, which we think makes it a fast, relatively budget-friendly SUV considering what else is available in the rough price range (Honda Passport: $44,950/Toyota Grand Highlander: $42,260/Mazda CX-70: $42,750). With the Blazer RS, you also get a sportier feel to the steering, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel for a bit more of a tactile feel in your hands.
Sporty Styling Comes With Some Trade-Offs
The new Blazer has 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, a maximum cargo capacity of 64.2 cubic feet, front legroom of 41 inches, and rear legroom of 39.6 inches. Considering it measures in at 191.9 inches by 76.7 inches, and rides on a 113-inch wheelbase, there could be more room.
The new Kia Sorento measures in at 189 inches in length by 74.8 inches in width, but with the rear seats folded down, you get 75.5 cubic feet of space, and there is 41.7 inches of rear legroom. You do get a more athletic look with the Blazer, but the low roofline, high waistline, upward beltline sweep at the back, and longer overhangs (which are more for show) do mean the interior package is a bit less family-friendly than some of its rivals.
The Blazer Is For Those Who Want That Something Else
If you are looking for the most fuel-efficient midsize SUV in 2026, the new Blazer isn’t it. FuelEconomy.gov estimates that the AWD, V6-equipped model can achieve 21 combined mpg (18 mpg city/25 mpg highway), while the most efficient gas model can achieve 25 combined mpg (22 mpg city/29 mpg highway).
You alsoget an SUV with high overall and reliability ratings on J.D. Power of 82 out of 100 and 84 out of 100, respectively, and an SUV with a 77 percent owner recommendation rate on Kelley Blue Book.
The cabin is nicely kitted out as standard with a 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Jet Black/Medium Gray Premium cloth seats, and a six-speaker audio setup. The RS gets more, including leather seating options and an eight-inch driver gauge cluster, but even the lower trims look the part of a sporty SUV.
It’s not going to suit everyone, especially if you need the maximum room in the cabin, but for those who want something more than the dull midsize SUV formula, the Blazer does offer a good alternative. It looks good, the V6-equipped option has real pace for its price, and it does it all without a luxury price tag and without playing things too safely.
Sources: Chevrolet, FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.
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