The Cheapest Midsize SUV of 2023 Isn’t a Toyota but Might Be a Perfect Alternative
Some brand names, such as Toyota, are synonymous with good cars and SUVs. That doesn’t mean every vehicle that hits the market is perfect, but it has helped the automaker gain a trusted reputation. However, the cheapest midsize SUV from Chevrolet might be worth a look regardless. Is the 2023 Chevy Blazer a good sport utility vehicle? Let’s investigate some of the drawbacks and strong points of the SUV.
What is the cheapest midsize SUV?
Those looking for a cheap midsize SUV will probably encounter the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer but don’t judge a book by its cover. Even though the Chevy Blazer starts at $35,100, it still has a lot to offer budget-conscious drivers. A fully loaded Blazer Premier starts at $42,800, but the base model has enough features to make it worthwhile.
| 2023 Chevy Blazer Trims | MSRP |
| LT | $35,100 |
| RS | $42,800 |
| Premier | $42,800 |
If you are trying to stick to a strict budget, the base Blazer LT model gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It also has four USB ports, a 10.2-inch touch screen, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Regarding safety systems, the base trim gets the Chevy Safety Assist package. This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. It also adds pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and high-beam headlights.
Is the cheapest midsize SUV safe?
Since the midsize Chevy Blazer SUV is brand new, it is pretty safe. Additionally, the 2023 Blazer earned a predicted reliability score of 86 out of 100 from J.D. Power. Along with the previously mentioned systems, the IIHS gave the midsize Chevrolet SUV high marks on its crash testing. The Blazer earned the highest ” good ” score on all six of the main tests. It missed the Top Safety Pick award because the child seat anchors earned an overall score of “acceptable,” so keep that in mind if you have children in car seats.
The NHTSA also gave the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer high marks with a five-star safety rating. With five stars on the front and side crash tests, the SUV proved to be a safe option for drivers. The NHTSA also tested some safety systems, and the two standard systems met performance criteria.
There are two additional packages you can add for more systems and features. The Driver Confidence package ($691) includes rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert. Chevy’s Convenience package ($1,475) adds wireless charging, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and enhanced forward automatic emergency braking.
Does the midsize Chevy Blazer SUV have good fuel economy?
Chevrolet offers two engine options for the midsize Blazer SUV: a turbo four-cylinder and a V6. The turbo four gets 228 horsepower, while the V6 has 308 horsepower. Both options have an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is an upgrade.
Those who opt for the base engine and front-wheel drive should see 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive drops that to 27 mpg on the highway, but the same city estimates. Upgrading to the V6 with FWD further drops the fuel economy to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. That falls to 26 mpg with AWD, which is still acceptable for a midsize SUV.
So, even if the 2023 Chevy Blazer is one of the cheapest midsize SUVs on the market, it has a lot of pros. If you need a brand-new and relatively safe vehicle under $40,000, this Chevrolet SUV makes sense. Though it might not be the right vehicle for every shopper, it is worth checking out.
