2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS SUV

The general trend of the automobile industry is shifting towards SUVs and Crossovers. Manufacturers are doing everything they can to make this segment more interesting. They do so mainly by adding more horses under the hood and the Blazer RS is just another example of the same strategy.

The 2021 model is expected to remain largely similar to the 2020 model and will hit the showrooms in late 2020. While the price of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS starts from $43,500, we do expect an increase in the pricing of the 2021 model by around $2-3000. With this being said, with rivals such as RX 350 F Sport, Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport, and Dodge Durango, how good is the Chevrolet Blazer RS? Let’s find out.

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS will be available with one trim option but the customers do have a choice to go with either an FWD or an AWD variant. The 2021 model is expected to be offered with the same features and same trim options. The prices of the 2020 Blazer RS FWD starts from $40,600 while the AWD model is priced at $43,500. Both these models are powered by the same, 3.6-L V6 engine and come mated to a 9-speed AT. A detailed description of the features and pricing is in the table below:

Trims	Chevrolet Blazer RS*
MSRP (FWD)	$40,600
MSRP (AWD)	$43,500
Key Features	3.6L V6
	Climate Control
	Bose Premium Audio System
	Wheels, 20" Dark Android machined-face aluminum
	Brake Assist
	Adaptive Cruise Control
	Stop/start system override
	Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system
	Heated and Ventilated front seats
	Passenger Lumbar
	Lane Keeping Assist
	Keyless Entry

*2020 Figures used for reference

Price and Launch Date of the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS is expected to be priced at $44,500 for the AWD drivetrain. The front wheel drive version can be expected to be at around $43,000. While the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic has altered every event throughout the world, the 2021 Blazer is still expected to be revealed in Q3 of 2020.

Chevrolet’s mighty 3.6-L V6 engine powers the 2020 Blazer RS and churns out 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of peak torque. This engine comes mated to a 9-speed AT and can be had in FWD and AWD options. The engine does get vocal when pushed hard but most of the time, the refinement of the engine is commendable. The 9-speed MT gearbox is a fantastic gearbox and has smooth operations. The 2021 model will be powered by the same engine-gearbox combo but might get a different tuning to make the driving experience better than before.

A detailed comparison of the 2020 model with its rivals is given below.

Models	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
MSRP	$43,500	$47,950	$55,095	$44,295
Engine	3.6L Regular V6	3.5L Regular V6	3.6L Regular V6	5.7 L Premium V8
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD	AWD	RWD
Transmission	9-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	9-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Power (hp @ rpm)	308 @ 6,600	295 @ 6,300	310 @ 6,700	360 @ 5,150
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	270 @ 5,000	268 @ 4,700	271 @ 5,000	390 @ 4,250

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS competes in a segment which is full of the highly powerful vehicle as it is clearly evident from the table, it is one of the most powerful vehicles of the segment. We expect the 2021 model to be equally good. 

How fast is the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS?

The 3.6-L V6 engine has enough grunt to make the Blazer RS one of the fastest in the segment. The 2020 Blazer RS does 0-60 MPH run in just 6.e secs, which is commendable for a vehicle of this class and size. The top speed of the vehicle is restricted to 120 MPH and the 2021 model will offer similar performance. A detailed analysis of the performance figures is as follows.

Models	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
0-60 MPH (sec)	6.1	6.8	6.6	4.4
Quarter Mile (sec)	14.7	15.1	15.1	12.9
Top Speed (MPH)	120`	N/A	125	N/A
Engine	3.6L Regular V6	3.5L Regular V6	3.6L Regular V6	5.7 L Premium V8
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	7.7	8.0	8.4

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS is a quick vehicle but it is the Dodge Durango R/T which leads the segment with a 0-60 timing of just 4.4 secs! The 2021 model may turn out to be marginally better than the 2020 Blazer RS in terms of straight-line performance.

Ride and Handling

Talking about the handling, the Blazer RS is one of the best handling crossovers from Chevrolet and gets a great ride and handling balance. Push it hard into the corners and you will realize that the body roll is almost negligible and the car maintains its line on that sharp corner. With this being said, even with a stiff suspension setup and those 20-inch wheels, the bumps and jerks on those badly patched up road surfaces do not filter into the cabin. The steering is responsive and the feedback from the steering is great. The car will not only be good to drive and stable at higher speeds but the passengers inside too will be comfortable at slow city speeds while going on a badly patched up road.

Braking Performance 

A 4-wheel disc brake setup is found on the Chevrolet Blazer RS which comprises 12.64-inch rotors at the front while at the rear we have 12.4-inch rotors. In addition to this, to further enhance the overall braking performance, the car also gets features such as ABS, EBD, brake assist, etc. 

The 2021 model is expected to get a similar braking setup if not better. However, there is a lot of scope of improvement in the braking performance of the vehicle and the rivals simply provide better braking performance. 

Model	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
Brake Rotors Front (in)	12.64	12.9	13.6	13.8
Brake Rotors Rear (in)	12.4	13.3	12.4	13.0
Curb Weight (lbs)	4043	4222	4356	5176

Braking performance is one of those departments in which the Chevrolet Blazer RS definitely needs improvement and we expect the company to address these issues with the 2021 model.

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS gets a combined fuel economy figure of 18 MPG which is pretty decent for a vehicle of this class. The car gets a claimed efficiency of 15 MPg in city usage while out on the highway, it delivers up to 21 MPG. With this being said, we do expect the 2021 model to offer a similar fuel economy figure.

Model	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
MPG (City)	15	20	18	14
MPG (Highway)	21	27	25	22
MPG (Combined)	18	23	20	17
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	19.4	19.2	21.7	24.6
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)	391/543/407	348/518.4/441.6	368/504/434	344.4/541.2/418.2

Among the competition, RX 350 F Sport boasts of an impressive fuel economy of 23 MPG (combined), and also thanks to its larger fuel tank capacity, it has a decent range before coming to a stop for a refill.

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS comes with a high-quality cabin with a very practical layout. The materials used feel premium and are soft to touch. The cabin is feature-rich and gets high-quality buttons and other switches. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive and there is an adequate amount of space at the front. At the rear too, the bench is supportive and comes with an adequate amount of cushioning for the seats. In all, the interiors of the Chevrolet Blazer RS are a great place to be in and feel very comfortable, especially on those long highway journeys. 

The 2021 model is expected to come with a similar cabin with all the bells and whistles and modern gizmos. 

Model	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	7
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	39.8/59.1/41.0	39.4/57.8/44.1	38.4/58.3/41.2	39.9/58.5/40.3
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.6/58.6/39.6	39.1/57.6/38.0	36.0/56.2/39.0	39.8/57.7/38
Cargo Capacity (ft3)	N/A	18.4	N/A	17.2

The Chevrolet Blazer RS gets a very spacious cabin which is at par with the segment standards. The 2021 update will bring in more features and better comfort for the passengers.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS is equipped with an 8-inch GMW 3 System. The system gets swipe gestures, application support and in addition to this, also comes with wireless connectivity. The system UI is easy to use and the overall operation is smooth. The sound system is from BOSE and comes with Active Noise Cancellation. The 2021 model will get a similar infotainment system.

 

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS attractive?

In a segment that is full of highly competent products, the Blazer RS is offered with an attractive, muscular and bold design language. The Chevrolet Blazer RS gets a menacing front end and gets a number of aggressive elements that make it one of the smartest cars in the segment. There will be a few updates that will be made to the 2021 model and the Blazer will definitely look better than its rivals.

Model	2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS (Expected)	2020 Lexus RX 350 F Sport FWD	2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD Sport	2020 Dodge Durango R/T RWD
Curb Weight (lbs)	4043	4222	3915	5176
Length (in)	191.4	192.5	189.5	201.2
Width (in)	76.7	74.6	75	75.8
Height (in)	67	67.7	66.1	71.9
Ground Clearance (in)	7.4	8.2	7.8	8.1
Wheelbase (in)	112.7	109.8	112.5	119.8

In terms of dimensions, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS is at par with its rivals. The car gets a great road presence and clearly looks smarter than most of its rivals

Considering the safety features and equipment the 2020 Blazer RS comes with, it is highly expected that the 2021 model too will be a very safe vehicle and will come with a long list of driver aid systems which include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, HD rear vision control, HD rear vision camera, and tpms.

In the entire line-up, the Blazer RS is the highest trim option and is priced at a premium when compared to the standard Blazer. However, we recommend the Blazer RS as it gets the most advanced driver assist systems and other safety features. The variant also gets a performance-oriented setup which makes it fun to drive vehicles. The Blazer RS is a vehicle that not only gets aggressive and sporty looks but its performance too equally matches the overall character of the vehicle. All of this makes the Blazer RS a wholesome experience.

The competition to the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS includes cars such as the Lexus RX 350 F, Cadillac XT5 AWD, and Dodge Durango R/T.

Chevrolet Blazer RS vs. Lexus RX 350 F

The Lexus RX 350 F is one of the finest cars in the entry-level sedan segment and gets a great build quality and powerful engine. The car is not just powerful and fast but is extremely engaging to drive. The car boasts reliable mechanicals and superior after-sales support. However, the 2020 Blazer RS is more affordable and spacious when compared to RX 350 F.

Chevrolet Blazer RS vs Cadillac XT5

The Cadillac RXT5 has always been one of the most practical vehicles of this segment. However, the car is not as spacious as the Blazer RS but gets better performance and fun to drive nature. On the downside though, the XT5 is more expensive to buy than the Blazer RS.

Chevrolet blazer RS vs Dodge Durango

The Durango provides a premium and comfortable cabin along with great build quality. The car is reliable and practical. It is a close competition between the Blazer RS and Durango but the former wins by a close margin as it gets a better cabin.

 

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS will be launched shortly and will come was powerful and fun to drive. The car looks stunning and very aggressive. In all, considering the package it comes with, the Chevy Blazer RS is one of the most value for money products in the segment. If you need an aggressive and smart vehicle, the Blazer RS will definitely be a great choice.