A midsize SUV with a starting price of $30,000 seems like a good find, especially one with a well-known name like Chevy Blazer. When you look a little closer at what you get for that price, you start wondering if the Blazer really is a bargain.

What do you get for the $30,000 starting price? Is the base model what most people buy when they purchase the latest Blazer?

A great starting price

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer starts at $29,995 which will get the attention of Blazer fans and those working within a budget. At the base level, its interior is pretty basic in appearance and it doesn’t have the storage space some of its key rivals offer. Its driving experience is good but nothing to write home about. 

The latest Blazer doesn’t offer anything above and beyond what its rivals do. Edmunds likes the way it navigates corners but in an SUV, that’s not particularly essential. So is the Blazer really a good value?

The Blazer seats five and the base trim is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s underwhelming and paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It has front-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive as an option but on higher trim levels.

The base trim also features an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. There are four USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and cruise control.

Its warranty is on par with its peers with basic coverage for three years or 36,000 miles. For the powertrain, the coverage is good for five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty period also provides roadside assistance. And you get one free service visit during the first year you own it.

You can get the base Blazer for $30,000 but in a market filled with great SUVs, it’s pretty bare-bones.

The Chevy Blazer model most people buy

According to Edmunds, the most popular Chevy Blazer model is the RS which starts at around $44,000. What does it include that the base models don’t have?

The RS model gives you a sportier appearance and the power to back it. It’s striking with distinct 20-inch wheels painted black with a matching grille and exterior trim. RS models also get a 3.6-liter V6 engine that gets 308 hp with available all-wheel drive. 

At this level, you get a heated steering wheel, a programmable power liftgate, and a 120-volt power port. There’s also a better infotainment system that gives you navigation.

Edmunds, however, recommends the 2LT trim which starts at $33,100. What does $3,000 more get you? With the 2LT trim, you get the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine along with the new Chevy Safety Assist package. It’s a collection of more popular driver aids like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.

The Edmunds team said they’d add the Convenience and Driver confidence package. There you get convenience features like auto-dimming side mirrors, heated seats, rear cross-traffic alert, and the power liftgate you can program.

You can also get AWD with the 2LT trim for $2,000 more. 

The 2021 Chevy Blazer

While the base Chevy Blazer is short on the features many want in an SUV, its muscular aesthetic and its popular name help it somewhat stand out in a growing crowd. 

There’s substance to go with that style, you just can’t get it at the base trim level and the price goes up fast. You get an adequate four-cylinder engine, less cargo space, and less passenger room in the rear. It does have an updated infotainment system that’s user-friendly.

In the plus column, the 2021 Chevy Blazer did earn five out of five stars overall from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).