2026 Chevy Blazer Review: Sporty Style Meets Real-World SUV Practicality

The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer takes a different approach to the midsize SUV. Instead of focusing on three-row seating or maximum cargo capacity, the Blazer combines a roomy five-passenger interior with bold styling, responsive road manners, available all-wheel drive, and the option of V6 power.

At Anderson Chevrolet in Kingman, Arizona, the Blazer makes sense for drivers who want more passenger and cargo room than a smaller crossover but do not need the additional size and third row of a Traverse or Tahoe.

For 2026, Chevrolet keeps the lineup straightforward with three gas-powered trims: 2LT, 3LT, and RS.

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What’s Different About the 2026 Chevy Blazer?

The 2026 Blazer carries forward the sporty design and driver-focused layout that distinguish it from Chevrolet’s more family-oriented SUVs, but there is an important powertrain detail to know.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is now the standard engine on every gas Blazer trim.

Drivers who want the stronger 3.6-liter V6 will find it available exclusively on the RS.

That gives shoppers a relatively simple decision:

• 2LT: value and core Blazer features
• 3LT: additional convenience and available technology
• RS: the sportiest appearance, available V6 power, and available Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD

This article focuses on the gasoline-powered Blazer. Chevrolet also offers the separate Blazer EV for shoppers interested in an all-electric SUV.

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2.0L Turbo: Standard Across the Lineup

Every 2026 Blazer comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing:

• 228 horsepower
• 258 lb-ft of torque

It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on 2LT, 3LT, and RS.

For most everyday Blazer buyers, the turbo engine provides the best balance of performance and fuel economy. Its 258 lb-ft of torque also arrives from a relatively small-displacement engine, helping the Blazer feel responsive during normal driving and highway merging.

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Available 3.6L V6 — Now an RS Exclusive

If you want the strongest 2026 Blazer, the RS with the available 3.6-liter V6 is the version to consider.

The V6 produces:

• 308 horsepower
• 270 lb-ft of torque

It is also paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and can be configured with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The additional 80 horsepower gives the V6-equipped RS a noticeably stronger performance specification than the standard turbo model.

It is also the configuration to consider if maximizing the Blazer’s towing capability is important.

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Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD on Blazer RS

All-wheel drive is available throughout the Blazer lineup, but the RS offers something more sophisticated.

When equipped with AWD, the Blazer RS uses Chevrolet’s Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD system.

The system is designed to manage torque distribution across the rear axle in addition to sending power between the front and rear wheels.

That gives the RS an additional performance and traction advantage for drivers who want the Blazer’s most capable AWD configuration.

The Blazer also includes a Driver Mode Selector, with available modes depending on configuration that can include:

• Tour
• AWD
• Sport
• Off-Road
• Tow/Haul
• Snow/Ice

Not every mode is available with every drivetrain, but the system allows drivers to tailor vehicle behavior to different conditions.

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2026 Chevy Blazer Fuel Economy

EPA-estimated fuel economy varies by engine and drivetrain:

• 2.0L Turbo FWD: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg
• 2.0L Turbo AWD: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg
• 3.6L V6 FWD: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg
• 3.6L V6 AWD: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg

The turbocharged engine is the stronger choice for drivers prioritizing fuel economy, while the V6 trades some efficiency for additional horsepower and towing capability.

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How Much Can the 2026 Chevy Blazer Tow?

When properly equipped with the available Trailering Package, the 2026 Blazer can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

The maximum rating is associated with the available V6 configuration.

That gives the Blazer useful capability for many:

• Small boats
• Utility trailers
• Light campers
• ATVs and recreational equipment
• Other weekend gear

For Kingman-area drivers whose weekends may involve Lake Havasu, the Colorado River, camping, or other outdoor recreation, that can make the Blazer substantially more versatile than a smaller crossover.

Always verify the towing rating, trailer weight, passengers, cargo, hitch equipment, and other limits for your specific Blazer before towing.

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Five-Passenger Space Without Three-Row Bulk

The Blazer is designed around five-passenger seating.

That distinction is important because it allows the Blazer to devote its interior space to two comfortable rows and a useful cargo area rather than squeezing in a third row that some owners may rarely use.

The second row also slides and uses a 60/40 split-folding seatback, giving passengers and cargo more flexibility.

With the rear seats folded, the Blazer provides up to 64.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.

That makes it useful for:

• Road-trip luggage
• Groceries and everyday errands
• Sports equipment
• Camping gear
• Coolers
• Home and hobby supplies

For shoppers who need substantially more flexibility than a sedan but do not need three rows, the Blazer lands in a useful middle ground.

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10.2-Inch Touchscreen Comes Standard

Every 2026 gas-powered Blazer comes with a 10.2-inch diagonal HD touchscreen.

Technology includes:

• 10.2-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay® compatibility
• Android Auto™ compatibility
• Bluetooth® connectivity
• myChevrolet mobile app compatibility
• Available wireless phone charging
• Available in-vehicle Wi-Fi® hotspot
• Available premium audio and technology packages

Remote start is also standard.

The Blazer’s cabin maintains the sportier, driver-focused theme found on the exterior while still providing the connectivity most drivers expect from a modern SUV.

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Chevy Safety Assist Plus More Standard Driver Assistance

Every 2026 Blazer includes Chevy Safety Assist, Chevrolet’s suite of six driver-assistance technologies.

That includes:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam® automatic high beams

But the Blazer’s standard safety equipment goes beyond Chevy Safety Assist.

Chevrolet also makes the Driver Confidence Package standard, adding:

• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Park Assist

An HD Rear Vision Camera, Teen Driver technology, and Rear Seat Reminder are also standard.

Additional available technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control, Safety Alert Seat, and Rear Camera Mirror.

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2026 Chevy Blazer Trims Explained

Blazer 2LT — The Smart Starting Point

The 2LT is the entry point into the 2026 Blazer lineup, but it already includes most of the essentials.

Highlights include:

• 228-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine
• 9-speed automatic transmission
• 10.2-inch touchscreen
• Chevy Safety Assist
• Driver Confidence Package
• Remote start
• 64.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume
• Available AWD
• Available programmable power liftgate
• Available Midnight and Sport Editions

Best for: shoppers who want the Blazer’s size, styling, safety technology, and turbo power at the most accessible point in the lineup.

Blazer 3LT — More Everyday Convenience

The 3LT builds on the 2LT with more convenience and additional available technology.

Highlights include:

• 228-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine
• Programmable power liftgate
• Roof rails
• Available Sound and Technology Package
• Available panoramic power sunroof
• Available Midnight and Sport Editions
• Available AWD

Best for: drivers who like the turbo Blazer but want more comfort, convenience, and available technology for everyday use.

Blazer RS — The Performance and Style Pick

The RS is the Blazer with the strongest performance potential and most distinctive appearance.

Highlights include:

• Standard 2.0L turbo engine
• Available 308-hp 3.6L V6
• Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD when equipped with AWD
• 20-inch wheels
• Available 21-inch wheels
• Black Chevrolet bowties
• Black grille and exterior accents
• RS-specific badging
• Dual exhaust with rectangular bright tips
• Available panoramic power sunroof
• Available Driver Confidence II Package

Best for: shoppers who want the Blazer’s boldest styling, available V6 performance, and most sophisticated AWD setup.

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Midnight or Sport Edition?

Buyers do not necessarily have to move into an RS to give the Blazer a darker appearance.

Chevrolet offers Midnight and Sport Editions on 2LT and 3LT.

These appearance packages can include:

• 18-inch high-gloss Black wheels
• Black grille
• Gloss Black grille bar
• Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems
• Black mirror caps
• Black roof rails
• Available contrasting Black roof with select exterior colors

That gives shoppers another way to get the Blazer’s darker styling without necessarily choosing the RS.

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Quick “Which Blazer Should I Get?” Guide

• Best value: 2LT
• Best everyday comfort and convenience: 3LT
• Best sporty styling: RS
• Best performance: RS with available V6
• Best AWD system: RS AWD
• Best fuel economy: 2.0L Turbo FWD

For many shoppers, 3LT is likely the everyday sweet spot if the V6 is not a priority.

If horsepower, maximum towing, or Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD are important, the RS deserves the closer look.

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Blazer, Equinox, or Traverse?

Chevrolet offers several SUVs that can overlap on a shopping list, so it helps to think about what you actually need.

Consider the Equinox if your priorities lean toward compact dimensions and everyday crossover practicality.

Consider the Blazer if you want:

• Five-passenger seating
• More midsize-SUV presence
• Up to 64.2 cubic feet of cargo room
• Available V6 power
• Up to 4,500 pounds of maximum towing
• Available Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD
• A sportier design

Consider the Traverse if you need:

• A third row
• Seven- or eight-passenger seating
• Significantly more cargo room
• Up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability

The Blazer’s appeal is that it sits between those two use cases. It gives you more size and available performance than a smaller crossover without requiring the three-row dimensions of a Traverse.

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Why the 2026 Blazer Fits Kingman and Northwestern Arizona

The Blazer makes sense for a particular kind of driver in Kingman and northwestern Arizona.

Not everyone needs three rows, but local driving can still demand more versatility than a small vehicle provides.

Kingman’s location near I-40 and US-93 means regular driving can involve long highway stretches toward Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Las Vegas, Flagstaff, and destinations farther across Arizona.

For those drives, the Blazer provides:

• Room for five
• Sliding rear seating
• Up to 64.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity
• Up to 29 mpg highway with the turbo FWD configuration
• Available AWD
• Available V6 power
• Useful trailering capability

For drivers who spend most of their time on pavement but occasionally encounter dirt access roads, changing weather, or other less-than-perfect surfaces, available AWD and selectable drive modes add another level of flexibility.

And unlike a larger three-row SUV, the Blazer remains relatively easy to manage for everyday commuting, parking, errands, and two-row family use.

That is the Blazer’s strongest argument in this market: it gives you meaningful SUV space and capability without making you buy more vehicle than you actually need.

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Shop the 2026 Chevy Blazer at Anderson Chevrolet

Ready to compare the 2LT, 3LT, and RS?

Explore current Blazer inventory at Anderson Chevrolet in Kingman, Arizona and compare turbo and V6 power, front-wheel drive and AWD, appearance packages, technology, and available equipment.

🚙 Shop Chevy Blazer Inventory

🏠 Visit Anderson Chevrolet

-TJ

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