The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer is a two-row midsize SUV that leans hard into sporty styling while still fitting five people and their stuff. It starts at $34,300 and tops out near $43,100, with a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V6 depending on the trim. The 2026 model is a carryover with no major changes, so if you’ve been watching this one, what you see now is what you get. At MotoPickers, we dug into every trim to help you figure out which one is worth your money.
MotoPickers Rating
The Blazer has a clear identity: it looks sharp, drives confidently, and fits into a price range where a lot of midsize SUV shoppers are already looking. The Camaro-inspired front end turns heads in a segment full of anonymous crossovers, and the V6 in the RS trim gives you real pull when you need it. The 19.4-gallon tank and solid highway numbers mean fewer stops on long drives.
Where it stumbles is in the details. The base trims feel a bit plain inside compared to what you’d expect at this price, and the IIHS hasn’t handed out any awards here. The Blazer is built for someone who wants their daily driver to feel like more than just an appliance, but who also needs room for passengers and a reasonable amount of cargo.
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 4.8 |
| Comfort | 7.2 |
| Technology | 6.0 |
| Value | 7.0 |
| Practicality | 6.1 |
What’s New / Updates Over Previous Version
The 2026 Blazer is a carryover model. Chevrolet made no significant mechanical or feature changes from the 2025 model year, so if you were waiting for a refresh, this isn’t the year it arrives. The powertrain lineup, trim structure, and feature set all carry over unchanged.
That said, the existing package is still worth a close look. The choice between the turbocharged four-cylinder and the V6 is one of the more interesting decisions in this segment, and it’s covered in detail under Power and Performance. The trim structure also rewards careful shopping — see the Trim Guide below for where the real value lands and which upgrade is worth the jump.
If you’re cross-shopping a 2025 and a 2026, there’s no functional reason to wait. Pricing may vary slightly by region, but the vehicles are effectively identical.
Competitors
The Toyota Highlander overlaps with the Blazer for buyers who want a three-row option or a hybrid powertrain in the same size class. The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in at a lower starting price and adds a hybrid variant for buyers watching fuel costs. The Ford Edge targets the same two-row sporty SUV buyer and sits in a similar price range with comparable road manners. The Subaru Outback offers standard all-wheel drive at a lower entry price, though it comes in a wagon body style rather than a traditional SUV shape.
Exterior Spotlight
The Blazer’s design borrows from Chevrolet’s performance car playbook. The wide front fascia, sculpted hood, and low roofline give it a profile that reads more like a sport coupe than a family hauler. It’s one of the more visually distinct shapes in the midsize SUV segment.
Color Options
The Blazer is available in several colors including Black, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, Radiant Red Tintcoat, Sterling Gray Metallic, Summit White, Cypress Gray, and Mosaic Black Metallic. Radiant Red Tintcoat plays up the sporty lines especially well, while Sterling Gray Metallic and Cypress Gray keep things understated and suit those who prefer a cleaner look. Black and Mosaic Black Metallic both suit the RS trim’s dark exterior accents particularly well.
Wheel Options
The 2LT rides on 18-inch alloys, which give you a slightly taller sidewall and a bit more cushion over rough pavement. The 3LT and RS step up to 20-inch alloys, which fill the wheel wells more aggressively and sharpen the visual stance. The trade-off is a firmer feel over broken road surfaces. If you’re in a city with rough streets, the 18-inch setup on the 2LT is worth keeping in mind.
Interior Analysis
The Blazer’s cabin takes a driver-focused approach. The center console sits high, the controls angle toward the driver, and the overall layout feels more like a car than a truck-based SUV. It’s a deliberate design choice that works well for the driver but can feel a little closed-in for rear passengers.
Features
The 10.2-inch touchscreen is the center of the cabin experience, and it’s large enough to use without squinting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, so you can drop your phone in the wireless charging pad on the RS and Premier trims and leave it there for the whole drive. On the 2LT and 3LT, wireless charging isn’t included, so you’ll be running a cable.
There are two USB-C ports up front and two more in the rear, which means your back-seat passengers can actually keep their devices charged on a long trip without fighting over a single outlet. There’s also a 120-volt household outlet, which is useful if you’re hauling gear that needs a real plug.
The Bose 8-speaker audio system on the RS and Premier trims sounds noticeably better than the 6-speaker setup on the lower trims, especially at highway speeds where road noise competes with the music. If you spend a lot of time on the highway, that upgrade alone is worth factoring into your trim decision.
The 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster on the RS and Premier gives you a cleaner, more configurable view of your driving data. The 2LT and 3LT use a smaller 4.2-inch cluster display, which is functional but feels dated by comparison.
Comfort
Front seat comfort is a genuine strength here. The seats in the RS and Premier trims are heated and ventilated, which means you’re not sitting on a hot leather seat in August or a cold one in January. The 2LT and 3LT have heated fronts only, which covers most climates well enough.
Front legroom comes in at 41.0 inches, which is enough for a six-foot driver to sit without feeling cramped on a two-hour commute. Rear legroom is 39.6 inches, which is respectable for this class. Two adults can sit back there without the knees-to-seatback problem you get in smaller crossovers.
Rear headroom is 38.6 inches, which is slightly tighter than the front’s 39.8 inches. Taller passengers in the back will notice it, but it’s not uncomfortable for most adults on a normal drive.
The panoramic moonroof, available as an option across all trims, opens the cabin up considerably and makes the rear seats feel less enclosed. The heated steering wheel is a small thing that makes a real difference on cold mornings, and it’s available on upper trims.
The ride quality is composed on the highway. The suspension absorbs most of what the road throws at it without passing the harshness through to the cabin. Rear passengers on longer trips will find the seat support adequate, though the cushioning isn’t as plush as some competitors at this price point.
Cargo
Behind the second row, you get 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s enough for two large rolling suitcases standing upright, a medium-sized dog crate, or a week’s worth of groceries without rearranging. It’s a usable space, but it’s not the largest in the segment.
Fold the rear seats flat and you open up 64.2 cubic feet, which is enough for a full-size mattress laid flat, a large piece of flat-pack furniture, or a mountain bike with the front wheel removed. The cargo floor is flat when the seats are folded, so you’re not working around a step or a hump.
The hands-free power liftgate on the RS trim opens with a kick motion under the rear bumper, which you’ll appreciate when you’re carrying grocery bags in both hands. The 2LT and 3LT don’t include the hands-free feature, though the 3LT does have a power liftgate you operate with a button.
There’s no under-floor storage, so what you see is what you get. Packing efficiently matters more here than in vehicles with hidden compartments. The opening is wide and the load floor sits at a reasonable height, making it easy to slide heavy items in without lifting them too high.
Power and Performance
The Blazer gives you two engine choices depending on the trim. The turbocharged four-cylinder covers the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier, while the V6 is exclusive to the RS. Both pair with the same 9-speed automatic transmission.
Engine Specs
The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. This engine covers the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims.
The RS gets a 3.6-liter V6 making 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, also routed through the 9-speed automatic. The V6 is available with either front- or all-wheel drive on the RS. The extra 80 horsepower over the four-cylinder is a meaningful difference in how the two vehicles feel in motion, which is covered in the next section.
Both engines are rated to tow up to 4,500 lbs, which is enough for a small boat, a jet ski trailer, or a lightweight utility trailer. That’s a useful number if you’re occasionally pulling something on weekends, though it won’t handle a full-size camper.
Performance Data (0-60)
The 2.0-liter turbo gets the Blazer to 60 mph in around 6.6 seconds, which is adequate for most driving situations. Merging onto a highway from a short on-ramp, you’ll feel the turbo spool up and the transmission hunt briefly for the right gear before the power arrives. It’s not slow, but it doesn’t feel effortless either.
The V6 in the RS changes the character of the vehicle noticeably. The power delivery is more immediate, and the 9-speed transmission responds more crisply when you ask for a passing move at highway speeds. Stepping on the gas to pass a slower vehicle on a two-lane road feels natural rather than planned.
The 9-speed transmission in both versions does its best work during relaxed highway driving, where it keeps the engine in a comfortable rev range and shifts are barely noticeable. Under hard acceleration, it can feel like it’s searching for the right gear, especially from a rolling start. Sport mode tightens the shift points and keeps the engine in a higher rev range, which helps.
If you’re buying the Blazer primarily for commuting and occasional highway trips, the four-cylinder is plenty. If you want the vehicle to feel genuinely quick when you want it to, the RS with the V6 is the one to get.
Fuel Economy
The 2.0-liter turbo returns around 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway, with a combined figure near 25 MPG. With the 19.4-gallon tank, that works out to roughly 480–560 miles between fill-ups depending on how much highway driving you’re doing.
The V6 in the RS drops those numbers to around 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway, or about 370–500 miles per tank. If you’re doing mostly city driving, that gap between the two engines adds up over a year.
Driving style makes a real difference here. Consistent highway speeds will push you toward the top of those ranges, while stop-and-go commuting will pull you toward the bottom.
Suspension, Braking, and Handling
The Blazer pairs a MacPherson strut setup up front with a multi-link arrangement in the rear. In plain terms, the front handles steering inputs while the rear tracks independently over bumps, helping keep the ride stable when the road surface changes. The suspension tuning is fixed, with no adaptive or adjustable mode available.
On the highway, the Blazer tracks straight and feels planted, with expansion joints and minor road imperfections coming through as a mild thud rather than a sharp jolt. The 7.5 inches of ground clearance is enough for light gravel roads and parking lot speed bumps without scraping.
Braking relies on ventilated discs at all four corners, with a pedal feel that’s progressive and predictable in normal driving. In a hard stop, the system responds quickly without the nose diving dramatically. Front and rear parking sensors help with low-speed maneuvering, though the 38.7-foot turning radius means you’ll need more space to turn around than you might expect in a vehicle this size.
The handling is composed rather than sporty, despite the styling, and the light steering doesn’t give you much feedback about what the front tires are doing. If you enjoy driving for its own sake, this isn’t the vehicle that will reward you — it’s built to be easy and comfortable, not engaging.
Tech Overview
The Blazer’s tech package is straightforward and functional. The 10.2-inch touchscreen handles most of the heavy lifting, and the connectivity options cover what most buyers need day to day. Upper trims add the features that make the system feel more complete.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 10.2-inch touchscreen uses a clean interface that responds well to touch inputs while you’re moving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean your navigation and music apps load without plugging in. Bluetooth 5.0 handles hands-free calling reliably, and the connection stays stable even when you’re switching between calls and audio.
The Bose 8-speaker system on the RS and Premier trims handles highway noise well enough that you don’t need to push the volume uncomfortably high to hear clearly. Satellite radio is included, which is useful on long drives through areas with spotty streaming coverage.
The RS and Premier trims add an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster that lets you customize what information sits in front of you. The 2LT and 3LT use a 4.2-inch cluster display. There is no head-up display available on any trim.
Features / Drive Modes
The Blazer offers three drive modes: Normal, Sport, and Snow. Normal handles most everyday driving without any input from you. Sport sharpens the throttle response and holds gears longer before shifting, which makes the V6 in the RS feel noticeably more responsive on an open road. Snow mode adjusts the throttle and transmission behavior to reduce wheel spin on slippery surfaces.
Chevy Safety Assist is standard on the 2LT and carries through the lineup. It bundles several of the driver assistance systems into a single package, though adaptive cruise control is available as an optional feature. It holds your set speed and adjusts automatically to traffic ahead. The system maintains smooth gaps in highway traffic and doesn’t brake abruptly when a car cuts in front of you.
The instrument cluster on the RS and Premier trims lets you configure what data you see, including navigation prompts and driver assist status, which keeps more information in your line of sight.
Safety Capabilities
The Blazer carries a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA, which is the top score available. The IIHS has not issued an award for this model. Eight airbags cover the cabin, and the full suite of driver assistance systems is available across the lineup.
Safety Ratings
NHTSA gave the Blazer a 5-star overall rating, which reflects well on the structural design and how the vehicle performs in government crash tests. The IIHS has not awarded the Blazer a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation, which is worth knowing if IIHS ratings are part of your decision process.
The 5-star NHTSA result means the vehicle performed at the top level in frontal, side, and rollover testing. For a family buying a daily driver, that’s a solid foundation. The absence of an IIHS award doesn’t mean the vehicle is unsafe, but it does mean it hasn’t cleared the specific headlight and small overlap front tests that IIHS uses for its awards.
Safety Features
Eight airbags cover the cabin, including front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags that run the length of the roofline, and knee airbags for the driver. The curtain airbags are particularly useful in side-impact and rollover situations, where they stay deployed longer to protect occupants.
There are three LATCH anchor positions for child seat installation. Having three positions means you can install two car seats without one of them having to use the center seat’s LATCH anchors, which are often harder to access. The LATCH anchors in the Blazer are accessible without needing to dig deep into the seat bight, which makes installation less of a struggle.
ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control are all standard across the lineup.
Driver Assists
The Chevy Safety Assist package covers the core driver assistance systems. Adaptive cruise control keeps a set following distance from the car ahead and adjusts speed automatically in traffic. Lane keeping assist applies gentle steering correction if you drift toward a lane line without signaling. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking work together: the warning gives you an alert first, and if you don’t respond, the system applies the brakes.
Pedestrian detection adds another layer by watching for people stepping into the road, not just vehicles ahead. Lane departure warning is separate from lane keeping assist and gives you an earlier alert before the steering correction kicks in. Driver attention monitoring watches for signs of drowsiness or distraction and prompts you to take a break.
Automatic high beams switch between high and low beam automatically based on oncoming traffic, which is a small feature that reduces the mental load on long nighttime drives.
Additional Safety Features
Blind-spot monitoring is standard on the 3LT and above. It lights up a warning in the side mirror when a vehicle enters your blind zone, which is most useful during lane changes on the highway. Rear cross-traffic alert adds coverage when you’re backing out of a parking space and cross traffic is approaching from either side.
Front and rear parking sensors give you audible feedback as you close in on objects, which pairs well with the standard rearview camera. There is no surround-view camera system available on any trim, so you’re working with the rearview camera and sensors rather than a bird’s-eye view. In tight parking garages, the sensors do most of the work, but a 360-degree camera would make the process easier given the Blazer’s 38.7-foot turning radius.
Trim Guide
The Blazer lineup runs four trims from $34,300 to $43,100, and because the jump between them isn’t always equal in what you get, it’s worth knowing exactly what each one adds before deciding where to land.
The 2LT starts at $34,300 and brings the 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, Chevy Safety Assist, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The trade-offs are cloth seating and a 4.2-inch gauge cluster, and wireless charging isn’t included. Shoppers who want the Blazer’s styling without stretching the budget will find it’s the right place to start.
At $38,500, the 3LT adds leather-appointed seating, a power liftgate, and blind-spot monitoring, though the gauge cluster stays at 4.2 inches and wireless charging still isn’t included. If you regularly load cargo with your hands full, the power liftgate alone starts to justify the $4,200 jump.
The RS at $43,000 is where the lineup changes character entirely. It swaps the 2.0-liter turbo for the 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and upgrades the interior with an 8.0-inch digital cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging, a hands-free power liftgate, and the Bose audio system. The V6 changes how the Blazer feels to drive, while the interior upgrades make the cabin noticeably more premium, making this our pick for anyone after the full experience.
The Premier at $43,100 takes a different approach, keeping the 2.0-liter turbo while matching nearly every RS interior upgrade and swapping the sporty black exterior treatment for chrome trim and premium leather. Anyone put off by the V6’s fuel economy trade-off will find the Premier delivers the full interior package for just $100 more. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to engine or chrome.
Warranty and Maintenance Information
The 2026 Blazer comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty covering the engine and transmission, with roadside assistance included for the same 3-year/36,000-mile period. While Chevrolet covers the first scheduled maintenance visit, the Blazer doesn’t come with a multi-year maintenance plan, which means oil changes and routine service after that initial visit will come out of your pocket.