2024 Chevrolet Blazer Pros vs Cons & Competitor Insights

The 2024 Chevy Blazer is an interesting new midsize SUV going for a sporty vibe meets family-hauling skills. Chevy revived this nameplate and wants to grab buyers with the Blazer's slick styling and available V6 muscle. However, tight cargo space could be a downer for some folks.

In this article I'll provide an objective view of what the 2024 Blazer brings to the table. I'll overview its exterior design, tech features, engine performance, ride quality, and interior roominess. By weighing the pros and cons fairly, you can better decide if this uniquely styled SUV has the substance beyond the bold looks.

My goal is to give an impartial perspective on how the 2024 Blazer stacks up to the competition, without hype. I'll offer key details so you can determine if the Blazer fits your needs. Let's dive in!

Key Takeaways

• The 2024 Blazer has aggressive exterior styling and a stylish, spacious interior that many people think stands out.

• It offers advanced safety features and good crash test ratings, making it a reliable family SUV.

• Strong turbo 4-cylinder and V6 engines deliver fast acceleration, with the V6 able to tow up to 4,500 lbs.

• Cutting-edge tech like a 10.2” touchscreen and wireless charging provide modern convenience and connectivity.

The Upsides of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer - The Pros

Take one look at the 2024 Blazer and its sporty, head-turning style grabs you. This is not your typical boxy SUV. The unique design earns rave reviews, even a 7.9/10 from Motor Trend. But it's not just flashy looks.

Inside, the spacious cabin greets you with stylish door panels and soft plastics for a comfy ride. Some trims offer ventilated front seats for a touch of luxury.

Under the hood, you can pick a turbo 4-cylinder or strong V6. Both deliver performance and towing power.

1. Sporty and Aggressive Design

The Blazer takes design cues straight from Chevy's legendary Camaro sports car. The exterior looks fast with its sporty looks, while inside it's stylish too. It has an available two-toned black roof usually paired with the body color. This sexy blend of form and function makes it stand out from other midsize SUVs.

But if you want even more swagger, the RS trim brings it. This "Camaro of SUVs" dials up the excitement with a sound and technology package pumping premium audio.

2. Spacious and Comfortable Interior

The Blazer interior pampers with comfort and flair. The spacious rear seat gives passengers stretch-out room, and two-tone colors add elegance. 

Behind the rear seats there's 31 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and fold them down and you get a whopping 64 cubic feet to haul your stuff. Planning a family trip? No problem - the Blazer seats 5 comfortably and has LATCH connectors for car seats. This ride's got you covered.

3. Advanced Chevy Safety Features

The Blazer also boasts several standard driver assistance features and safety features like Reverse Automatic Braking, Advanced Park Assist, and a rearview camera, making it a reliable choice for families. It features the Chevy Safety Assist package. Some of the notable advanced safety features include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking - Can detect a potential front-end collision and automatically apply the brakes.

• Forward Collision Warning - Provides visual and audible alerts.

• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning - Uses a camera to detect lane markings and can provide steering input or warning alerts to help keep the Blazer centered in its lane.

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert - Can warn the driver of detected left or right cross traffic behind the vehicle when backing up.

• Rear Camera Mirror - Provides a wide-angle camera view of the area behind the vehicle in place of the standard rearview mirror. (Digital rearview mirror.)

• Blind spot monitoring.

• Front Pedestrian Braking - Can detect pedestrians ahead and automatically apply hard emergency braking.

• Automatic High Beams (IntelliBeam) - Can automatically switch between high and low beams.

• Rear Park Assist - Can provide distance alerts to nearby detected objects when reversing.

• Safety alert seat - Vibrates when there is trouble instead of using audio warnings.

• Adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Blazer offers a comprehensive suite of camera and radar-based driver aids focused on collision avoidance, lane control, and pedestrian detection to help enhance safety.

4. Good Safety Ratings and Crash Test Results.

According to the NHTSA and IIHS, the Blazer receives a good overall safety rating. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave it five out of five stars for overall safety and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) gave it an overall rating of good.

5. Great Reputation for Reliability and Quality.

J.D. Power placed it at number one for the best "Best Midsize SUV" with an 86/100 over all and "Quality & Reliability" received an 88/100.

According to KBB.com the Blazer is a solid vehicle. There consumer reviews state that 77% of owners would recommend it and gave reliability 4.5 stars out of 5.

6. Powerful Engine Options & Powertrain

Blazer's base engine is a 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine pumping out 228 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque. It has auto stop/start technology to save gas at red lights. Variable valve timing and direct injection help performance.

Blazer comes standard with a smooth-shifting nine speed automatic transmission that works great with the turbo engine.

Looking for more power? Opt for the available 3.6L V6 with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It also has auto stop/start to save fuel. This muscular V6 rips when paired with the available 9-speed automatic transmission that shifts seamlessly. The V6 outpunches the competition with quicker acceleration. According to Car and Driver, the 2023 Blazer RS model does 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds! (Nothing has changed in 2024 so it is essentially the same vehicle.)

Blazer's V6 engine has more horsepower and torque than the comparable engines on Nissan Munro, Honda Passport, and Ford Edge. It is a has a more powerful engine than many vehicles in its rival SUV segment.

The EPA fuel economy estimates for the Blazer’s fuel economy are based on a series of lab tests. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine is estimated to deliver up to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. However, the 308 horsepower v6 version has slightly lower estimates at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

So whether you pick the peppy turbo 4-cylinder or brawny V6, you'll get solid performance thanks to Chevrolet's modern engine tech and dialed-in transmissions.

7. Cutting-Edge Infotainment System & Sound Technology

The 2024 Chevy Blazer comes loaded with the latest tech to make driving easier and more enjoyable:

• There's a 10.2" diagonal HD color touch-screen for controlling navigation, music, and your phone. Everything's at your fingertips on that nice sized display.

• Wireless charging means no more cables - just place your phone on the pad and it starts juicing up. Sweet and simple.

• The available premium sound system pumps out immersive, concert-quality audio so your music and podcasts sound good. Some trims have Bose® premium 8-speaker audio system.

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to access your apps, calls, messages, and tunes directly through the touchscreen. Seamless smartphone integration for the win!

From the large color 10.2-inch touchscreen with tap-and-go technology, to wireless charging and premium audio, the Blazer has the modern tech features drivers crave. This ride is packed with digital convenience and connectivity.

8. Ride Quality and Handling

J.D. Power rate the "Driving Experience" as excellent with a score of an 87/100. Here are some key details on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer's ride quality and handling:

• Uses a suspension setup that aims for balanced handling. The steering is tuned to feel responsive.

• Optional adjustable shocks can adapt the stiffness for better control or comfort.

• Lower-profile tires on sporty models like the RS tighten handling, but give a rougher ride.

• The standard 4-cylinder engine is decently quick. The available V6 packs a lot more punch.

• It can tow sizable loads steadily with the trailer package.

• Available AWD boosts grip in slippery conditions.

• Reviewers say the Blazer handles curves and corners well for its class. Braking is capable too.

• The ride is regarded as comfortable, but firmer feeling than rivals like the Ford Edge. The V6 can also be harsh at times.

Overall, the Blazer focuses on responsive handling over a plush ride. It provides sporty agility for an SUV while managing bumps reasonably well. The tradeoff is a suspension that leans firm.

9. Good Towing Capacity

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer has a maximum towing capacity of up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped.

Specifically:

• The standard 2.0L turbo can tow up to 1,500 lbs.

• The available 3.6L V6 engine boosts towing capacity to up to 4,500 lbs.

• To reach the max 4,500 lb towing capacity, the Blazer needs to have the trailering package equipped. This includes a heavy-duty cooling system, trailer hitch, and other towing components.

• Front wheel drive models can tow more than all-wheel drive models - 4,500 lbs vs 4,000 lbs for AWD.

That is better towing power that some of its rivals. The Ford Edge gets 3,500 pounds, Nissan Murano tows 1,500 pounds, Kia Sorento tows up to 3,500 pounds. The Passport beats it out slightly at 5000 pounds and the Grand Cherokee tows  6,200 to 7,200 pounds.

The Downsides of the 2024 Chevy Blazer - The Cons

It's not all sunshine for the Blazer - it has some weaknesses too. First off, its cargo capacity is smaller than rival SUVs. If you need lots of storage, that could be a drawback.

Some drivers have also raised concerns about the ride and handling. While the Blazer packs power, it may not feel as smooth on the road or fun-to-drive as some desire. And it faces competition from less expensive midsize SUV brands, which price-focused buyers may find more appealing. 

1. The Blazer's Cargo Capacity

Cargo room is another downside for the Blazer. With the rear seats up, it only offers 30.5 cubic feet - less than some rivals. Fold the seats down and you get 64.2 cu. ft. max cargo volume, but competitors still get more cargo room.

For example, the max cargo space for the Honda Passport and Kia Sorento are 77.9 and 75.5 cubic feet respectfully. 

2. Lack of a Hybrid model

The regular gas powered blazer model is priced at $36,795 to $44,195. The electric EV model goes for $56,715 to $65,995. That is quite a jump. A hybrid model would be nice, especially if the price fell somewhere in between.

3. Limited Rear Visibility & Rear Seat Passenger Headroom

The Blazer has a relatively high rear liftgate and sloping roofline that can obstruct rear views somewhat. Rear seat headrests can further limit the view out the back. Some might say the sloping roofline adds to its looks but it has its downsides. In addition, the headroom suffers a bit as well:

• The Blazer has 39.6 inches of rear seat headroom. This is slightly below average for a midsize SUV.

• The sloping roofline that gives the Blazer its sleek profile does intrude on rear headspace.

• Taller passengers may find their heads brushing the roof liner in the rear seats.

Strengths and Weaknesses Vs Rival Competition

With athletic styling and potent engines, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer makes a strong case in the midsize SUV segment. Going head-to-head with mainstays like the Ford Edge, Kia Sorento, and Nissan Murano, the Blazer impresses with better predicted reliability, more horsepower, and higher towing capacity. However, competitors counter with advantages in cargo space, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort. For shoppers seeking performance, tech, and eye-catching design, the 2024 Blazer deserves a test drive. But rivals still offer compelling options depending on priorities. Comparing models side-by-side can help determine the best choice.

Vs Ford Edge

Here's a comparison of some of the key strengths and weaknesses of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer versus the Ford Edge:

Strengths of the 2024 Blazer:

• More powerful V6 engine option (308hp vs 250hp in Edge)

• Sportier, more aggressive exterior styling

• Higher predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power

• Better towing capacity when properly equipped (up to 4,500 lbs vs 3,500 lbs)

• Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• Available WiFi hotspot capability

• Higher quality interior materials in higher trims

• Lower starting MSRP ($39,860 Edge vs $36,795 Blazer)

Weaknesses of the 2024 Blazer:

• Less cargo space behind rear seats (30.5 cu ft vs 39.2 cu ft in Edge)

• Tighter rear seat legroom (39.6 in vs 40.6 in Edge)

• Ride quality more firm and less smooth than Edge

• No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option available

The Blazer sports better performance and style while the Edge counters with more interior space, ride comfort and efficiency. They each have strengths and weaknesses depending on buyer priorities.

Vs Kia Sorento

Here's a comparison of some of the key strengths and weaknesses of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer versus the Kia Sorento:

Strengths of the Blazer:

• More powerful V6 engine option (308 hp vs 281 hp in Sorento)

• Sportier, more aggressive exterior styling

• Higher towing capacity when properly equipped (4,500 lbs vs 3,500 lbs)

• Larger 10.2" touchscreen compared to 8" screen in Sorento

• Available surround view camera provides 360 degree exterior view

• Standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration

• Higher predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power (88/100 for Blazer, 81 for Sorento)

Weaknesses of the 2024 Blazer:

• No third row seating than Sorento

• Less cargo space behind rear seats (30.5 cu ft vs 36.4 cu ft in Sorento)

• Tighter dimensions overall, less total passenger room

• Ride quality more firm and less smooth

• No hybrid/PHEV options like Sorento offers

The Blazer excels in power, driving dynamics and styling while the Sorento counters with more interior space, efficiency and value. Depends on buyer priorities.

Vs Nissan Murano - $39,285

Here's a comparison of some key strengths and weaknesses of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer versus the Nissan Murano:

Strengths of the 2024 Blazer:

• More powerful standard 2.0L turbo engine (228hp vs 250hp in Murano)

• Optional V6 engine provides strong acceleration (308hp)

• Higher maximum towing capacity when properly equipped (4,500 lbs vs 1,500 lbs)

• Sportier, more aggressive exterior styling

• Higher overall predicted reliability rating

• Standard 8” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• Available safety features like rear camera mirror and HD surround vision

Weaknesses of the 2024 Blazer:

• Less cargo space behind the back seats (30.5 cu ft vs 32 cu ft in Murano)

• Tighter rear seat legroom (39.6 in vs 40.5 in Murano)

• Suspension is stiffer, less cushy ride

• No hybrid or electric version available

The Blazer emphasizes power and an athletic driving experience while the Murano offers a cushier ride and more room. Each SUV has its pros and cons.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the 2024 Chevy Blazer brings a lot to like but isn't perfect. The athletic exterior styling and potent engine options add excitement. The interior delivers comfort and the latest tech and safety features. However, rear cargo space is limited compared to rivals and the ride is firmer. The Blazer shines for buyers wanting a spacious mid size SUV. But shoppers focused on maximum utility and softness may prefer alternatives. Test drive to see if the Blazer's mix of style, performance and practicality is the right fit for your needs. For the right buyer seeking a bold and powerful midsize SUV, the new Blazer deserves strong consideration.

Facts You Should Know

Trim levels and pricing for 2024 SUVs

• 2LT - starting at $36,795

• 3LT - starting at $40,695

• Blazer RS trims - starting at $44,195

• Premier - starting at $44,195

Notable RS upgrades include:

• 20-inch wheels

• Navigation to get you anywhere

• Two extra USB ports to charge all your devices

• A heated steering wheel for cold days

• A powered hands-free liftgate for easy loading

What are the changes to the 2024 Blazer?

Nothing much has changed. Chevy added a new exterior color "Riptide Blue Metallic", and heated front seats are now standard on all trims. The price for the two-row mid-size SUV has only gone up by a modest $300.