In this New vs. Used comparison, we evaluate the modern Chevy Blazer RS from when it arrived in 2019 against a brand-new 2022 model.
New vs Used: Chevy Blazer
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When the Chevy Blazer nameplate was revived in 2019, it upset the traditionalist apple cart. As we discuss in this history of the Blazer, it is a vehicle that was a full-size body-on-frame truck for decades with legit off-road chops. The modern iteration is a unibody SUV designed for comfort and handling instead of rough road capability. Gone is the dual-range four-wheel-drive, replaced by all-wheel-drive, that is better suited for slick conditions, not mud and ruts. For more information on the difference between these two drivetrain configurations, check out our explainer article here.
All that said, the current Chevy Blazer is a strong competitor in a crowded field, which is why it earned a spot on this list of Best Two-Row Midsize SUVs. When it arrived in 2019, the new Blazer showcased sharp Camaro-esque styling with the option for a potent V6 engine. Filling out the deep roster of Chevrolet SUVs, it sits above the compact Equinox – a comparison with which you can read here – and below the three-row Traverse. For today’s new vs. used comparison, we’ll be looking at the sporty RS trim on both a 2019 model and brand-new 2022 Blazer, which we review in depth here.
Specs
On the specification front, there is no difference between a 2019 Blazer RS and its 2022 counterpart. They both feature the most powerful engine option, a naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 that directs 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission with the option for AWD. Auto stop-start technology is standard equipment and helps the 2019 Blazer RS achieve EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg in city driving and 26 on the highway. Interestingly, Chevy rates the 2022 model for one less mpg around town and one more on the highway.
Driving and Performance
The svelte shape of Chevy’s Blazer is backed up by strong marks in the handling department thanks to a trim-exclusive steering and suspension calibration designed to imbue the RS model with a touch more verve. Whether considering a used 2019 or new 2022 Blazer, the RS is tuned the same and features a four-corner independent suspension with a 5-link rear layout.
In both cases, 20-inch tires are standard, a boon for grip and braking but prone to sharp impacts over broken pavement. Chevy has offered an AWD configuration on the RS model since it was introduced in 2019. While typically targeted at Snow Belt customers, in RS form that four-wheel grip can also help counteract the likely torque steer resulting from all that power going to the wheels that turn.
Comfort and Interior
You won’t find a third row in the 5-passenger Chevy Blazer, but you will find a healthy 40 inches of rear legroom, Active Noise Cancellation technology providing a quieter cabin and ambient interior lighting on a new or used RS model. Other commonalities include dual-zone automatic climate control with trick vent surrounds that can be twisted to adjust temperature settings. Leather upholstery and power adjustable front seats are also shared on both sides of this comparison as is the maximum 64 cubic feet of storage space with the back seat folded down.
Something that you will not find on the 2022 Blazer RS, even though it has been standard since 2019, are heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Chalked up to the catch-all “supply chain constraints”, they are now a combined $75 credit on your new SUV. Safety minded cabin features like the Rear Seat Reminder and IntelliBeam automatic high beam control are included in both cases.
Trims and Features
With so much in common, it would seem there is little to differentiate a new and used Chevy Blazer. And yes, there are a host of tech features that the two vehicles have in common including the infotainment system that features an 8-inch touchscreen display with connected navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and 6-speaker stereo. In addition, exterior trimmings like body-color accents, blacked out emblems, keyless entry and a hands-free liftgate are shared across the RS models.
However, there are some key items only found on the 2022 model like an 8-inch digital gauge cluster screen and wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2019 model includes this smartphone mirroring tech but it requires you to plug the phone in for access.
Another notable contrast between the new and used Blazer is that in 2019, the only advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that came standard were blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. For 2022, that list of included systems balloons to include automated emergency braking, forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, and lane keeping assist with lane departure warning. This trickle-down effect of ever-increasing levels of standardized ADAS as a car matures is common across the industry and one worth considering in any new versus used purchase.
Conclusions
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At the end of the day, most car shopping considerations are heavily weighted by the bottom-line price. A new 2022 Chevy Blazer RS, with no options, currently stickers at $42,865. Browsing the listings on CarsForSale.com for a 2019 RS with between 40,000 and 50,000 miles reveals price tags ranging from as low as $28,950 all the way up past the price of a new one, however there are a host of options in and around $35,000.
Keeping in mind that most new cars on a dealer lot have at least one added package, if not multiple upcharges that boost the online configurator list price, the used 2019 Blazer will save you at least a few thousand dollars but possibly far more. Then again, while the two models share quite a bit of running gear, the deeper level of driver aids and convenience of wireless smartphone integration should not be ignored.
Personally, I could live without all the active safety systems in exchange for not eating all that depreciation. With the used model, you still get the sleek looks that help the Blazer stand out from the crowd with the punchy power from that naturally aspirated V6, making the older Blazer a winner in my book.
