It has traveled a long road—from a classic soft-top off-roader to a 557-horsepower electric crossover.
It has traveled a long road—from a classic soft-top off-roader to a 557-horsepower electric crossover.
A few years ago, Chevrolet unveiled an all-new electric Blazer. It arrived as a modern, high-tech crossover with no obvious visual or mechanical link to the full-size SUV lineage that defined the nameplate for decades. Many Blazer enthusiasts criticized Chevrolet for not taking a retro approach like Ford did with the Bronco, instead turning an off-road icon into an urban crossover. But since its debut in 1969, the Blazer has undergone more than a few radical transformations. That brings us back to its origins, which began in the late 1960s as a fairly simple shortened version of a full-size Chevrolet pickup.
The International Harvester Scout debuted as an off-road vehicle in 1961, followed by the first-generation Ford Bronco in 1965. Chevrolet didn’t panic or rush a response. Company engineers carefully studied the competition and realized just how simple those vehicles really were. They concluded that their K10 pickup platform could be shortened to serve as the basis for an off-road vehicle.
As a result, the Chevrolet K5 Blazer ended up longer—about 180 inches (vs. the Bronco’s 151 inches)—and wider at roughly 79 inches (vs. the Bronco’s 68.5 inches). That wasn’t ideal for hardcore trail use, but it made the Blazer more practical for buyers looking for versatility. The term “SUV” didn’t even exist yet, so Chevrolet marketed the first Blazer as a “combination of a passenger car and a pickup.”
Built on a body-on-frame truck chassis, the Blazer featured an open-top body that allowed for multiple configurations. The first generation offered four engine choices: two inline-six engines and two V8s, the largest displacing 350 cubic inches. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with a fully synchronized four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic available as options. In its very first year, Chevrolet sold nearly 5,000 Blazers and soon began to outsell its rivals.
The original Blazer lasted just four years before being replaced by the second-generation K5, which stayed in production for nearly two decades. The update was extensive, although the first-generation engines carried over with modest power increases. Engine options eventually included a 400-cubic-inch gasoline V8 and a 379-cubic-inch diesel V8.
A four-speed manual transmission became standard, while two three-speed automatics and two four-speed automatics were optional. Buyers could choose rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive—though 4x4 models outsold two-wheel-drive versions by a wide margin. While the second-generation Blazer was never flashy, it sold consistently well until the end of its run and was even exported to markets like Japan and the UK in right-hand-drive form.
While the K5 was still on the assembly line, Chevrolet introduced a smaller sibling: the two-door Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. Unlike the K5, it did not feature a removable hardtop and was about 14.5 inches shorter and 15 inches narrower.
In 1991, four-door wagon versions were added with a body stretched by about 6.5 inches. To further confuse historians, four-wheel-drive models built between 1984 and 1988 were branded as the T-10 Blazer, while the GMC version was called the T-15 Jimmy. Base models were powered by an 83-horsepower four-cylinder engine, while the most powerful versions used V6 engines. Later on, the S-10 Blazer gained additional trims, including Tahoe and Sport.
With the arrival of the third generation, GM moved all of its full-size SUVs to the GMT400 platform. The Blazer became more comfortable and the longest it had ever been, stretching to about 188 inches overall. The primary engine was a 350-cubic-inch gasoline V8, paired with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
A 379-cubic-inch diesel V8 was optional but only available with a four-speed automatic. This generation was short-lived, as Chevrolet reintroduced the SUV in 1995 under the Tahoe name, adding a longer wheelbase and a four-door body style. At the same time, the S-10 Blazer was renamed simply “Blazer.”
The S-10 Blazer, now known simply as the Blazer, continued to ride on a pickup-based platform. Styling became sleeker and more aerodynamic without sacrificing too much functionality. The wheelbase remained unchanged, as did the availability of two- and four-door bodies with multiple engine and transmission choices.
The 1997 model year brought a major update: a split rear hatch became available on four-door models, and the off-road-focused ZR2 package was introduced—though only for two-door 4x4 versions. In 2001, Chevrolet unveiled the Blazer Xtreme, a sport-oriented variant with a lowered suspension, unique wheels, and a distinctive body kit.
Blazer production ended in 2005, leaving only two-door models on dealer lots. It was effectively replaced by the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Equinox for daily drivers and the larger TrailBlazer for buyers who still wanted a traditional SUV. Originally a Blazer trim level, the TrailBlazer became a standalone model in 2001.
It would be inaccurate to call the modern Blazer a new generation, as it is an entirely different vehicle far removed from its roots. For the 2019 model year, Chevrolet revived the historic name to fill a gap in its midsize crossover lineup.
Brand loyalists were outraged: this Blazer was front-wheel-drive, unibody, and offered no V8—or even a manual transmission. Its nine-speed automatic transmission was shared with the Malibu sedan, and the most powerful engine was a 308-horsepower V6. Still, the new Blazer’s bold styling resonated with buyers, and nearly 95,000 units were sold in 2020. As of today, however, Chevrolet still has nothing that truly rivals the Ford Bronco.
In 2022, Chevrolet unveiled the upcoming Blazer EV in Los Angeles—and it looks impressive. It’s another crossover aimed squarely at the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. Sleek and modern, the Blazer EV rides on GM’s Ultium platform, and Chevrolet claims it will deliver more than 310 miles of range on a full charge.
The lineup will be topped by the Blazer SS, producing 557 horsepower. Unusually, it will be available with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. Chevrolet has also announced a police pursuit vehicle (PPV) based on the Blazer SS, which could cut into the Mustang Mach-E’s growing law-enforcement presence—even though Ford’s electric crossover has already been adopted by agencies in most states.