The 2019 Chevy Blazer shares only a name with the boxy, high-riding Blazer you remember from the ’80s. It hardly has anything in common with the dull midsize Trailblazers of the mid-’90s. No, this SUV is a different animal. The new Chevy Blazer lighter and more athletic than its predecessors. Covered in sporty and stylish with Camaro-like styling cues on the inside, the new Blazer stands out among its class.

The 2019 Chevy Blazer was very popular with J.D. Power who ranked it as the top overall midsize SUV. It beat out the Honda Passport by six points. Why was J.D. Power so impressed with it?

The Chevy Blazer’s engine and performance

The 2019 Chevy Blazer that J.D. Power tried out was a Premier model. It had a 3.6-liter V6 engine that gets 308 hp with 270 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that got the job done in an all-wheel-drive configuration. They found it to be athletic and lively. 

The base engine for the model is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that only puts out 193 hp. They didn’t feel it would offer the same driving dynamics or experience.

The new crossover Blazer is more of an on-road vehicle. The 2019 Blazer offers a smooth ride with its multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson struts. While the team found the ride to be responsive, they found the steering be on the light side. That’s good when pulling into tight places to park but not so much when traveling at a good speed.

Safety

The team found the view from the driver’s seat was a good one with excellent visibility. Fortunately, no matter where you’re sitting, the rear cross-traffic alert system and reverse camera work wonderfully. 

The team was surprised that their model didn’t feature adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, or forward-collision alerts. The features are usually found within the class, sometimes standard. To get them with the 2019 Chevy Blazer, you need a higher trim level and an option package.

The Premier model tested by the J.D. Power team did include blind-spot monitoring. All Blazer models offer Teen Driver technology and the rear-seat reminder system which they found to be a real bonus.

Styling

Taking a page out of their popular Camaro’s book on appearance, Chevy restyled the front end of the 2019 Blazer. The look works well for the new crossover SUV and fits nicely with its chiseled flanks and hood. This Blazer turns heads and its stylish exterior is one big reason why. 

On the inside, the Premier’s cabin is equally impressive. The colors are rich and the trimmings used lend it an upscale flair. The silver trim in the team’s Premier model was used generously. They thought it might be too much for those with more conservative tastes though they found it visually appealing.

Storage in the Chevy Blazer

In the dark, you’ll notice Chevy’s signature bowtie logo on the ground behind it.  When you wave your foot over the symbol, the back hatch opens automatically. There are 3.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. If you fold those down, you get 64.2 cubic feet space for storage.

The team’s Premier model had a cargo management system that included a divider on rails to help separate items when needed. There are also many small spaces to hold smaller items to help keep you organized. There’s both a spacious glove box and center console to tuck away belongings and bins on the door panels too.

While the team from J.D. Power liked the upscale styling, they loved the driving experience. The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer stood out for them in a crowd of midsize crossover SUVs. They felt with a better pricing strategy and few more standard features that it will remain among the top contenders in its class.