In a surprising turn of events, Chevrolet revived the Blazer after a 13-year hiatus. Granted, it wasn't totally unexpected as there were rumors about a revival, but the new Blazer came out of the blue, with no warning in the form of leaked photos or spy shots. And the revival also brought a lot of drama, as the new Blazer isn't the rugged, body-on-frame SUV that everyone was hoping for.

Instead, Chevy reintroduced the iconic nameplate for a unibody crossover that slots between the Equinox and the Traverse and mixes styling cues from the Camaro and other Chevy vehicles. It's definitely confusing for such a big revival and gearheads the world over are debating whether GM made the right move here. As we usually do when an important vehicle is launched, we're joining the discussion with opinions from the TopSpeed staff. Read them below.

Continue reading for the full story.

Jonathan

The Blazer nameplate is returning after nearly a quarter-century on the shelf, and quite frankly, the only thing I find remotely interesting about it is the way it looks. Granted, I’m not exactly the biggest fan of SUVs, so I’m not really the target audience here, but honestly - yet another SUV? Really?

Whatever; let’s talk about the styling. From the off, the new Blazer is extremely aggressive looking, with the front end, in particular, looking like it was plucked directly from the Camaro. The profile reminds me a bit of the Lexus RX, but even sharper, while the rear end makes it look like the whole thing is leaning forward.

Personally, I find the look to be way over the top for a model like this. The central intake is too large; the lines are too angular, and the proportions are too pseudo-sports car.

“So what’s the problem?” you might ask. “I thought you liked sporty vehicles.

While yes, I do indeed like sporty vehicles, this hyper-macho attitude thing just doesn’t cut it on the Blazer. I mean, a look like this demands high-speed potential in every single conceivable fashion, but instead, buyers will get a maximum of 305 horsepower from the range-topping V-6 engine option. With looks like that, a V-8 is pretty much mandatory, in my opinion. What’s more, the look could water down the visual impact of models that actually deserve the aggression, like the Camaro.

But, that’s to be expected from Chevy, which seems far more concerned with adding an RS badge to every single model in its stable than it is actually making the badge mean something.

Ciprian

While I'm not a big fan of SUVs, I do like the original Blazer with its boxy design and impressive off-road capability. But, I'm not at all surprised that Chevy went with a Camaro-inspired, sharp-looking design language for the modern Blazer. It's the 21st century, GM needs to keep its crossovers attractive, and I'm pretty sure that it wants to attract more and more young people toward SUVs. While a boxy, heritage-inspired Blazer would have made old enthusiasts happy, the Blazer would have remained a niche vehicle for... well... old enthusiasts.

Chevy runs a business, and the somewhat sad part about running a business is that you need to customize your products in a way that you sell as much as possible. The Camaro-inspired Blazer is probably the result of intense market prospecting and some serious brain-storming in GM's head offices and design departments. Sure, it could be less popular than predicted, but let's face it, many of us want an SUV that looks as aggressive as a muscle car.

There are things that I don't like about the Blazer, though. It bothers me that I can see too much Lexus up front and on the sides, while the rear end is too bland. It's like Chevy designers got bored as they reached the rear fascia and decided to glue one on from an existing model. Also, while the RS package is pretty cool, it remains just an appearance kit that makes no difference in terms of performance. And, that's not something I want on a crossover that looks like a Camaro on stilts.

Safet

Ever since it was implied that the new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer will be built on top of the crossover platform C1XX, the car world knew it wouldn't be even remotely similar to its namesake from the Eighties or the Nineties. And the day came - Chevrolet unveiled the new 2019 Blazer with much fanfare and looks that evoke prestige and incorrigible Camaro-style cues. It does look astute, if not even dominant, despite only being a family CUV seated between the Equinox and the Traverse.

Although I am well aware of the harsh reality of today and the fact that the Blazer lost its ruggedness, it is hard to accept that this is merely a family car now. Reading through the rather sparse press release, I almost cringe at the mention of words like connectivity, intuitive controls, cargo space, or functionality. Sure, all of this is really important, but this is a freaking Blazer. It should be all about fun.

Not anymore, though, because fun is a very expensive prospect today. And, the Blazer isn’t. Stylistically quite appealing, the Blazer hides well its family-friendly nature. The bold grille could trick you into thinking that there's a V-8 lurking behind it, but for now, and in the best case, the best one can do is a 310 horsepower, V-6. It is not a bad engine by any measure, but it is a bit generic. Basically, all similar GM crossovers and SUVs use it. The Blazer name does require something unique.

What I did like is the interior which echoes that of a Camaro. Surfaces boldly designed to accentuate alleged amusing temperament, a nice big screen, and round vents are all playing a major role in gifting the Blazer with a playful personality. Regardless, the rear seats slide, the cargo space has a rail system and a cargo fence, and you can charge your phone wirelessly.

Due to market requirements, Chevrolet had to adapt and offer the Blazer with all the imaginable convenience CUVs of today offer. It is definitely a fine family hauler - one that will tow 4,500 lbs for you as well - but it also tries to provide a spirited experience by looking athletic and dominant inside out. If it were to gain something performance worthy, I would be convinced.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer.

Read more Chevrolet news.