The Chevrolet Blazer has made a name for itself as one of the most noteworthy SUVs in today’s market. With an exterior inspired by Camaro, it stands apart from its boxy peers. The muscle car vibe inside and out draws a lot of people to it.

But is it a reliable vehicle?

A popular midsize crossover

The Chevy Blazer has been around for a while. General Motors introduced it in 1969 as an SUV alternative to its full-size trucks. When they went to smaller pickup trucks in the early ’80s (remember the tiny S-10s?), they shelved Blazer for about fifteen years.

They revived the Blazer last year and it updated to be a midsize crossover that’s better on-road than the models of old. The muscle car styling and the power it packs make it look and sound good. That styling is going to cost you in cargo space and headroom.

Like the Camaro, the Blazer also has limited rear visibility. You might want to consider a trim level like the 1LT trim with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package which features blind-spot monitoring. The pricing strategy leaves something to be desired as many consumers find the base models don’t offer them the value they’re looking for.

The Blazer may not be as capable off-road as its predecessors. Yet it was designed with current customer needs in mind. It’s a standout entry in a field of forgettable crossover vehicles. It’s comfortable and has its own unique look. Still, it’s not as useful as some of its peers.

How reliable is the Blazer?

When it comes to reliability, studies show it’s of great importance to midsize SUV owners. 97% of them, according to J.D. Power, says that reliability is one of the first things that they consider when shopping for their next vehicle. The quality of the vehicle is important to 94% of them. And as many as 91% of consumers claim they will pass on vehicles if they think they will need frequent, expensive repairs.

Consumer Reports gave the 2019 Chevy Blazer a score of 2 out 5 on predicted reliability. It gave an overall rating of 68 out of 100 which buries it way down on a list of popular available midsize SUVs.

While CR didn’t offer detailed information on that rating, it could have something to do with its all-wheel-drive system being driver-selectable according to MotorTrend. While that setup could mean better fuel efficiency numbers, it would be all too easy for owners to find themselves stuck in inclement weather conditions because the onboard computers don’t tell them to shift into all-wheel-drive when they should. If you’re quick on the throttle, you may get an awkward torque steer.

If you get the big 21-inch aluminum wheels, you have to get these to get the sunroof, you’ll have to be careful close to curbs and watch the road for debris. The wheels and tires here are pretty pricey.

There’s no standard safety equipment here which will be an issue for many. Important offerings like automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning are available on the RS and Premier trim levels. They are optional on those and can boost the cost close to $50,000.

Like most of its peers, the Blazer’s warranty offers basic coverage for three years/36,000 miles. The powertrain’s warranty covers five years/60,000 miles and you also get roadside assistance while that warranty is still in effect. Blazer’s plan does offer one complimentary service visit during the first year you own it.

Final thoughts

The Chevrolet Blazer makes a good impression. The interior is nice but lacking. The base models offer a weak standard engine and not a lot of headroom for rear passengers. There’s a distinct lack of driver safety aids unless you’re willing to pay a lot more for a higher trim level. Particularly for the limited rear visibility issue.

It looks good and it is a lot of fun to drive. The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer might be able to seat five passengers. Yet the pricing setup of it is off and it’s lacking some of the value and features of its peers. There are also a few things like the all-wheel-drive issue that throw up red flags when it comes to reliability.