Revived after a fourteen-year gap, the sophisticated 2019 Chevrolet Blazer 3LT AWD barely recalls its rough and ready predecessor. On the Laneway Auto Loans and Sales used car lot, this two-row, five-passenger crossover slots in seamlessly between the more compact Equinox and the three-role Traverse. Brimming with road presence that handles even the roughest routes in New Brunswick, its muscular sheet metal structure leans heavily on the distinctive lines of the Camaro, with a front grille inspired by the ZL. With its unibody construction ensuring a smooth ride, it’s also fuel-efficient, with excellent road handling, thanks to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic that always picks the perfect gear.
The Camaro of the SUV Category
Much more fun than its peers in the mid-size SUV category, it offers an occasional waft of its Camaro cousin, while sharing a platform with the GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5. Regardless of its configuration, the crossover is a stable, sturdy set of wheels that performs well on city streets and out-of-town trips. Undeniably one of the smoother-handling crossovers in its segment, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer 3LT AWD stands out in a fairly crowded but unremarkable field. Its rivals include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Nissan Murano, and the Subaru Forester. What makes this sporty crossover so memorable is its bold styling, underpinned by supple ride quality and comfortable suspension tuning. Its long-lasting V6 engine is more than enough for overtaking on highways and daily errands, with much of its energy tucked away at higher RPMs. As a result, delivery is linear and more predictable, with sensitive steering that lets drivers put the nose right where they want it.
Taking a Peek Under the Hood
Both powerful and quiet, its mated nine-speed transmission can keep pace with smart shifting, thanks to a tightly tuned gearbox. Fuel savings are assured by shutting off two cylinders when under light power loads, with a start. STTTOP technology that switches off the engine when idling.
What does the 3LT Trim Include?
The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer 3LT AWD includes almost all the 2LT trim features: its door panels, upper dashboard and console are leather-wrapped, with suede microfiber covers on the headliner, the A-pillars, the sun visors, and the trim above the windshield rear and window. Other features include:
- Heated front and rear seats with carbon fibre trim;
- Heated steering wheel
- Perforated leather seat trim;
- Wireless smartphone charging;
- Heated power auto-dimming outside mirrors with integrated turn signals;
- Power programmable liftgate;
- Rear camera mirror;
- Electronic-lock glovebox that can hold a small bag, with a PIN set on the infotainment screen;
- Power windows that can be rolled down on hot days through the key fob.
Space to Spare for New Brunswick Trips
For entries and exits, the rear seats slide up to 12 cm. They also fold fully flat to the floor, allowing unimpeded cargo loading and offloading. This cargo space totals a generous 1,818 litres and can be configured through a trunk rail system that separates areas with cargo fences, ensuring that smaller items are stored securely. When not needed, these rails tuck neatly away in front of the spare tyre, meaning there’s plenty of stowage.
Passenger Comfort in the Maritimes
The driver-centric layout follows the Camaro-inspired design, with multi-zone air conditioning and climate control ensuring the comfort of all passengers. Located front and centre is an eight-inch touchscreen that is pre-loaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. With ample front-row knee space, the rear seats also offer enough room for six-footers to sit comfortably. The quality of the materials is generally quite acceptable, with wear-resistant plastics on high-traffic areas.
Most Unusual / Most Useful Features
Perhaps the most unusual feature of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer 3LT AWD is the ability to simultaneously pair two phones through Bluetooth. And one of its most useful add-ons is the Chevy mobile app, which lets drivers control almost every aspect of their Blazers through their smartphones.
