The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer was released earlier this year to less-than-favorable reviews. It was intended to be a modern incarnation of the K5 Blazer, a popular Chevy truck that was replaced by the Tahoe in 2005. However, the new Blazer has already earned a reputation for being too pricey, having cheap build materials, and a lackluster engine.

To give drivers a better deal, Chevrolet announced that another engine option for the Blazer is on the way. Drivers can now choose between the standard four-cylinder, an available V6 engine, and a new turbocharged four-cylinder. A Chevy spokesperson told CarsDirect that the new engine would be a “great alternative” to the V6. Let’s compare the two side by side to see if that’s really the case.

Gas mileage

The standard base engine gets a respectable 22 mpg on city roads and 27 mpg on the highway. When driving a trim with the V6, this figure drops slightly, 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. While that’s definitely below average, it’s not uncommon for a vehicle of the Blazer’s size.

We don’t know exactly how well the new turbo engine will perform in terms of fuel economy, but if it’s similar to the turbo used in the 2020 Equinox, expect it to get 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. If that’s the case, the new engine would be the superior choice of the three.

Horsepower

Engine power was one of the most notable complaints about the Blazer. The base engine is only capable of 193 hp, which users reported to be sluggish and hard to drive. Those who need more power are better off upgrading to the V6, which is capable of 308 hp. The new turbo engine has 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It will be available in 2-liter and 3-liter grades. This would massively improve the Blazer’s acceleration rate, though not as much as the V6 engine.

Towing capacity

The base Blazer’s towing power is very low for a midsize SUV. Using the regular four-cylinder engine, drivers can tow up to 1,500 pounds. The V6 engine can handle quite a bit more at 4,500 pounds, but it’s still not that impressive compared to other cars in its class.

Additionally, the V6 can only achieve this in Blazers with all-wheel drive, which is not standard. According to Chevrolet’s order guide, this would be the same case for the new turbo engine. In front-wheel drive, the Blazer’s towing capacity remains at 1,500 pounds regardless of the engine.

Price

The standard Blazer has an MSRP of $29,995. Many considered this price to be a ripoff because the car lacks many standard safety features and all-wheel drive. With the V6 engine, the car costs $38,695.

According to CarsDirect, the newest turbo engine in the 2-liter grade will probably cost $33,995. For the 3-liter, expect to pay $38,195. Depending on your horsepower needs, it may be better to pay the extra $500 for the most high-powered option.

Other Blazers coming soon

In addition to the new engine, a new Redline edition of the Blazer is in production. The car will have an exclusive red coat of paint as well as black accents. The base Redline will be $33,995 and an upgrade for each trim is available.

The Blazer XL prototype was also recently spotted on a test drive. This new trim can seat two extra passengers and has an extended back end. No new engines have been announced for it yet, but that’s not really a concern considering all the options already available.