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The Chevrolet Blazer has seen a major transformation over the years. This makes it one of the most popular SUVs ever, but what is the best model year to drive?

The best year Chevrolet Blazer is the 1994 model but was discontinued in 1995. However, this 1994 edition had a small-block V8 engine with fuel injection to promote power and performance. The new models today have a complete redesign but the old-school look of the 1994 Blazer is irreplaceable.

The Chevrolet Blazer is a versatile choice. With its popularity and many features, the Blazer is an attractive vehicle for daily use or as a weekend getaway vehicle. This new model introduces important safety technologies and a modern look unlike before. It is more refined for traditional on-road driving comfort.

With this new model, they have updated the design to be more modern and precise. Our experts have worked with numerous Blazer models to provide the best analysis you can find. This guide tells you everything about the best year Chevrolet Blazer.    

Table of Contents

Best Year Chevrolet Blazer

The Chevrolet Blazer is one of the best-selling cars and has been a popular choice for many years. With the recent update and release, it is still the most popular car made by the Chevrolet brand too.

The general public loves it because of its unique design which looks like a race car, but it is also loved because of its performance and practicality. It has a great history too with many different designs dating back to 1969.

Through the years, there have been many innovations to change the way Chevrolet categorized and designed this model. And after a long time off the market, it has finally returned with a modernized appeal to new drivers.

1994 Chevrolet Blazer - Best Overall

When you are discussing the Chevrolet Blazer, it is impossible to go without mentioning the 1994 model for its vintage look and upgraded electronic fuel injection engine that made it so popular at release.

We consider this to be the best overall Blazer for many reasons, beyond just the impact it made on the brand in general. The introduction of the electronic fuel injection at the time was worth bragging about and this vehicle was ahead of its time.

The 1994 Blazer is our favorite option for off-road driving too. It came equipped with all-terrain tires and better brake pad designs that were meant to handle rugged terrains that it was built to maneuver through.

It also included an independent suspension design that allowed for more smooth driving. It held up extremely well over bumpy terrain like rocks and potholes too. However, the one issue was the tight cornering capability.

The most important feature of this vehicle was the powertrain upgrades, steering control, and vintage exterior and interior designs that cannot be duplicated. This was a four-door vehicle that was affordable and high-quality.

1985 Chevrolet Blazer - Best Classic Chevy

The 1985 Chevy Blazer is referred to more as the most vintage classic design of any model in history. It can be remembered for the unique look along with the high level of performance capabilities it could offer.

The 1985 Chevrolet Blazer is a sporty and fun truck capable of carrying a family. This vehicle has a unique interior with a cozy cabin and spacious seats. It is very efficient both on the road and in the city.

This classic Chevy was easy to drive and maintain and we love it for the pure simplicity it could provide that modern-day vehicles tend to lack. It is also much rarer than many of the other Blazer types and competing vehicles.

Because of the clutch design, it was possible to learn quickly and drive with extreme comfort and precision. It also provided similar off-road capabilities as the 1994 model, but it lacked the same powerful engine design.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer - Best Modern Design

After a long pause, the Chevrolet Blazer finally returned with a much-needed facelift and upgrade across the board with some impressive features. Some people were skeptical about the new look, but it has better positioned the Blazer for the future in a new segment of the SUV market.

Looking at the 2019 Blazer for anybody that drove a vintage model back in the 1980s or 1990s is a difficult pill to swallow. The new design completely revamped the vehicle and changed the style of performance it is intended to provide.

However, we think this is exactly what was needed. Rather than ending the Blazer altogether, it was a better choice to bring it back with a modern-day look to accommodate the SUV market with an emphasis on comfort and quality.

The design includes plenty of advanced technology features too. It is built to go off-road or maintain accurate highway driving. There are multiple trims worth mentioning too like the Midnight Sport Edition or the Redline Edition.

It is a remastered version of a piece of history and it is worth keeping an eye on again with something to offer everyone.

Chevrolet Blazer History

The younger crowd will not be as familiar with the Chevrolet Blazer because of the long layoff between releases, but back in 1969, the original first-generation Blazer hit the market and instantly became a classic.

The first-generation model ran between 1969 to 1995 and was known as the K5 Blazer. It went through some changes and saw new names being applied towards the late 1990s as Chevrolet repositioned the model as an S-10 pickup.

The original Blazer stopped production in 1995 but the S-10 Blazer was still in production until 2005. There were also other models that broke off from this like the Tahoe and TrailBlazer. However, they were only alterations of the original.

In 2019, the Chevrolet Blazer entered into production again with a new release and another release in 2020. There is no plan to stop production as of now, and the new era of Blazers seems to be here to stay for a while.

What To Look For When Buying An Old Chevrolet Blazer

Before you buy an old Chevrolet Blazer, there are a few important things you should consider to find the right model and year for you. These factors include vehicle history along with specific features like the powertrain or fuel economy you can expect.

We have included below the top things to look for when buying an old Chevrolet Blazer.

Powertrain Type

The powertrain type matters a lot to you because your vehicle's transmission and the engine should be powerful enough for your driving needs. The base powertrain on many of the older models is a 2.5-liter engine with 195 horsepower.

However, there are plenty of upgrades available to include even more. These older models also began using fuel injection engines to increase performance and efficiency on the road so, with the 1995 model, you can expect better driving.

It is also worth noting the new 2020 models did not leave out extra power either. Regardless of the model year you buy, all Blazer models are designed with accuracy and extra horsepower in mind.

All-Wheel-Drive Capability

All-wheel driving capability on your Chevrolet Blazer is important for safe and efficient maneuvering through difficult weather. The Chevy Blazer has a powerful engine with this feature included on nearly every model.

It enables the vehicle to provide better traction on slippery surfaces and to maintain stability even when driving through tight turns. It also extends the useful life of the engine, which is why it is essential for vehicle owners.

This is especially important for drivers located in regions that experience more difficult weather conditions like New England. It is best to find a vehicle that will provide you with the most year-round support.

Fuel Economy

The Chevrolet Blazer has very solid fuel efficiency. It has a small engine, but it can still get a lot of miles out of a tank. This is because the fuel injection engine requires less effort to run and keeps you driving for longer.

However, the older models will tend to have much lower miles per gallon ratings compared to the newly upgraded SUV version. This is because the size of older models gave these vehicles more power than ever.

It is important to keep the driver in mind while driving your Chevrolet Blazer. If you are someone driving long distances in need of a vehicle with better fuel efficiency, a newer model may be the better choice for you.

Tow Capacity

High strength tow capacity is a very essential feature of a Chevy Blazer. Especially in the backcountry. If you have to take your vehicle for a longer trip, this feature becomes even more important to carry heavier loads with ease.

Luckily, a majority of the Blazer models come with excellent max load capacities and towing ability to handle all types of situations. These are durable vehicles, but finding the right one to tow is even more important.

It is also critical to use tires on your old Blazer that allow for towing. If you fail to do so, you can limit the capacity and performance level of your vehicle.

Trim Type

Through the years, there have been many different changes in the trim type for each Blazer model. This is especially true for the most recent 2019 and 2020 releases where the entire look of the vehicle changed to a more modern, family-friendly SUV.

Some of the trim types include LT, RS, and Premier. These trim types will have a slightly different look along with different capabilities on the road. You can also adjust your trim type to get better interior features like leather seats.

How Long Does a Chevrolet Blazer Last?

These are known to be some of the most reliable vehicle models you can find on the market. It is estimated you can get over 200,000 miles from a typical Blazer model. And this includes older models like the 1994 Blazer.

This is why so many old Blazers are still around today. They can last for 20, 30, and even 40 years depending on how much they have been driven. It is also an easy vehicle to maintain and restore when something goes wrong.  

Best Chevrolet Blazer Alternatives

Because of the changes over the years, the new modern-day Chevrolet Blazer looks much different than past models. This has also changed the way consumers view the vehicle and the competitors it faces.

Today, the best alternatives are quite different from those in the mid-80s and mid-90s. However, these options are still reliable vehicles worth considering if you are not sold quite yet on the Chevrolet Blazer.

Honda Passport

Honda has been one of the most well-known car manufacturers in the world. This includes the design and release of the Honda Passport in 1993 to introduce a new competitor to the mid-size SUV market.

While the Passport doesn’t have quite the history the Blazer does, they do have similar stories along with the type of innovations they have faced over the years. This includes a large gap in production for over 15 years before the new launch of a mid-size crossover in 2019.

The new third-generation models include upgraded interior and exterior designs to accommodate a more family-friendly audience. The size change is also noteworthy as the vehicles became a lot smaller for the crossover category.

The Honda Passport is extremely similar to the Blazer, but if you are looking for an older vehicle then there is no competition. The older Blazer models like the 1994 and 1985 models provide more power and endurance than any previous Passport year.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The initial launch of the Santa Fe occurred in 2001 as an SUV with the name being inspired from Sante Fe, New Mexico. This was a huge milestone launch at the time for Hyundai as they attempted to break into the United States sport utility vehicle market.

This SUV is designed to appeal to families and drivers interested in highway comfort. The compact SUV comes with an all-new electric powertrain and it's great for towing heavy loads with ease.

The vehicle also offers exciting tech features like smart cruise control and lane departure warning. However, this SUV has some shortcomings when compared to other models in its class like less accurate winter handling.

While we consider this a solid family SUV, it does not provide the same type of power and longevity as a vintage Chevrolet Blazer. It compares more closely to the 2019-2020 models but still ranks below in overall performance.

Best Year Chevrolet Blazer

About The Author

Charles Redding

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.

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