When it comes to the popular midsize SUV segment, Chevy has some big competition in both Ford and Jeep. The Chevy Blazer posted amazing sales numbers for the third quarter of 2020. But with the return of the popular Ford Bronco and the off-roading favorite Jeep Wrangler, shouldn’t Chevy be a little worried?

GM Authority recently caught up with a representative at Chevrolet to ask that question. The answer might surprise you.

Chevy is keeping an eye on the competition

Many have been anticipating the return of the Ford Bronco for some time. There were 165,000 reservations made in just three weeks for the 2021 version of the off-road-oriented SUV that Ford resurrected. On top of that, the Jeep Wrangler continues to be a class favorite and it also has some appealing off-roading chops.

Team Chevy, according to Brad Franz, senior marketing manager for Chevrolet SUVs, told GM Authority that the Blazer isn’t looking to compete with some aspects of those popular vehicles. 

Franz said, “We keep a very close eye on our competition, and obviously we are always focused on what our competitors are doing.”

Franz explained that the new Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler were more focused on 4×4 off-roading, leaving the Chevy Blazer positioned to impress with its stellar on-road performance. Franz said they were confident in how they positioned the Blazer with that in mind. The latest generation Blazer went in a new direction even though some fans haven’t exactly embraced its change to a unibody crossover.

Still, it’s working to the Blazer’s advantage.

“Now, as you know, the Bronco and Wrangler are going to be bringing very heavy off-road type communication,” Franz explained, “so we feel like the Blazer will have its spot in the on-road space, and the sales performance reflects that.”

Don’t just take Franz’s word on Blazer sales

GM Authority recently posted the third quarter 2020 sales numbers from the two-row midsize crossover SUVs segment in the U.S. The Chevy Blazer put up fantastic numbers for Q3 2020 with deliveries up 45% to 29,486 vehicles. It ended up in third place for cumulative sales in the segment just behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Edge. 

When compared to the same time period in 2019, the Blazer’s retail market share jumped up 7%.

The Chevy Blazer is more than holding its own. Rather than trying to match its two off-roading peers from Ford and Jeep, the Blazer is being itself. It’s hitting the mainstream crossover market at the right time with its own strengths as an on-road vehicle.

The 2021 Chevy Blazer

Sure, the Blazer was once the name of a popular Chevy 4×4 of the past, but the 2021 version is a stylish, practical crossover. Its bold styling cues like the sporty bodywork and dynamic front help the two-row SUV stand out from a number of competitors. 

It drives well, too. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that gets 193 horsepower. There’s also a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.6-liter V6 that gets 308 horsepower. The nine-speed automatic transmission is given to all three engines, according to Car and Driver.

The Blazer is front-wheel-drive standard but you can get all-wheel-drive with the turbo-four or the V6. While the front-wheel-drive works well enough, the V6 offers all the acceleration and power you need on the highway and more. 

On the inside, the Blazer offers a lot of space for people and plenty for their stuff. The outward visibility isn’t perfect and some of the materials used aren’t top-shelf, but it’s still plenty comfortable. The Blazer offers an impressive list of features but you’re going to have to go for a higher trim to get many of them.

Those who are looking for an eye-catching SUV with great driving dynamics might want to take a closer look at the 2021 Chevy Blazer.