Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet Blazer: generations compared: what actually changed

The Chevrolet Blazer has six generations in this catalogue. They are not six copies of one SUV.

The Chevrolet Blazer has six generations in this catalogue. They are not six copies of one SUV.

Arithmetic on those dates: 1 generation is listed for 14 years (1982–1995), overlapping 1 generation, restyling (1990–1994) by five calendar years. 3 generation and 3 generation, restyling 1 overlap from 2022-02-01 to 2023-01-31 (12 months). A 2022–early-2023 car can be either 3 generation or the restyle; the restyle is the one with 311 hp on 3.6 AT and 92 fuel instead of 95.

Layout change is the real generation cut. Generations 1 and 2 put the engine Front, longitudinal (where that field is measured). Generation 3 and the restyle put it Front, transverse. Front/rear suspension on 1–2 is Independent, torsion / Dependent, leaf spring. On 3 and the restyle it is Independent, spring both ends. Front brakes become Ventilated disc only from 3 generation; earlier they are Disc. Rear brakes are Drum on the 2.2 versions of 2 generation and Disc on the rest of the catalogue.

Clearance falls 12 mm from 200 mm (1 generation, 1 generation restyling, 2 generation restyling, most 2 generation) to 188 mm on every 3 generation and restyle version. Two 2 generation 4.3 AT / 4.3 MT 190 hp cars are the opposite: 216 mm, which is 28 mm above the later 188 mm cars.

Engines and specs

Exact version names below are catalogue names. Same name, different power or drive: keep them separate.

3 generation, restyling 1 — current buy

All four: Direct injection (direct), Front, transverse, 4 valves per cylinder, compression 11.5 on both 3.6 AT (not measured on both 2.0 AT), bore × stroke 95 × 85.8 on 3.6 AT (not measured on 2.0 AT).

Power per litre: 2.0 AT 231 / 1.997 = 115.7 hp/l. 3.6 AT 311 / 3.640 = 85.4 hp/l. The four-cylinder makes 30.3 hp/l more from each litre. Torque gap is small: 368 − 357 = 11 Nm, and the 2.0 AT plateau starts at 1500 rpm versus 5000 rpm on 3.6 AT.

The two 3.6 AT names differ only by FWD versus AWD. The two 2.0 AT names differ the same way. 0–100, top speed, mpg, kerb weight, and gross weight on all four restyle versions: not measured.

3 generation — used buy with measured performance

Power per litre: 2.0 T 4x4 AT 230 / 1.997 = 115.2 hp/l; 3.6 AT 308 / 3.640 = 84.6 hp/l; 3.6 4x4 AT 305 / 3.649 = 83.6 hp/l; 2.5 AT 193 / 2.457 = 78.6 hp/l. The turbo 2.0 is the densest engine in the whole Chevrolet Blazer list. The 2.5 AT is the only 6-speed Automatic on generation 3; the other three are 9-speed.

Restyle versus this generation on the 3.6: 3.6 AT FWD goes from 308 to 311 hp (+3 hp, +1.0%). Same 368 Nm, same 3640 cc, same 11.5 compression, same 95 × 85.8. Fuel drops from 95 to 92. The AWD 3.6 changes name: 3.6 4x4 AT 305 hp / 3649 cc / 372 Nm becomes restyle 3.6 AT AWD 311 hp / 3640 cc / 368 Nm (+6 hp, −9 cc, −4 Nm). The four-cylinder: 2.0 T 4x4 AT 230 hp Turbo becomes restyle 2.0 AT 231 hp with boost No in the restyle row (+1 hp). 2.5 AT 193 hp is deleted on the restyle: there is no 2.5 in 3 generation, restyling 1.

2 generation, restyling — 3-door 4.3 only

Eight versions, one engine: 193 hp / 142 kW @ 4500, 338 Nm @ 2800, 4300 cc, 6 V-shaped, 2 valves, boost No, Front, longitudinal, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.2, 101.6 × 88.4, fuel 92. Power per litre: 193 / 4.300 = 44.9 hp/l — 40.5 hp/l below restyle 3.6 AT.

Distinguish by gearbox, drive, years, tank, and weight, not by power:

• 4.3 MT AWD, 1998-01-01–2005-12-31: Manual 5, 160 km/h, 72 l, 1629 / 2018 kg
• 4.3 AT RWD, same dates: Automatic 4, 160 km/h, 72 l, 1629 / 2018 kg
• 4.3 MT RWD, same dates: Manual 5, 160 km/h, 72 l, 1629 / 2018 kg
• 4.3 AT AWD, same dates: Automatic 4, 160 km/h, 72 l, 1629 / 2018 kg
• 4.3 MT AWD, 1998-01-01–1999-12-31: Manual 5, 180 km/h, 68 l, 1915 / 2427 kg
• 4.3 AT AWD, 1998–1999: Automatic 4, 180 km/h, 68 l, 1950 / 2427 kg
• 4.3 AT RWD, 1998–1999: Automatic 4, 180 km/h, 68 l, 1950 / 2427 kg
• 4.3 MT RWD, 1998–1999: Manual 5, 180 km/h, 68 l, 1915 / 2427 kg

All eight: 0–100 = 10.1 s. City / highway / mixed mpg: not measured. Wheels: not measured.

The 1998–1999 group is 286 kg heavier on MT (1915 − 1629) and 321 kg heavier on AT (1950 − 1629), with 4 l less tank and 20 km/h more top speed. If you want the lighter 3-door, take a 72 l car from the 1998–2005 quartet, not the 68 l 1998–1999 quartet.

2 generation — 5-door, two 2.2 powers and two 4.3 powers

All listed windows are 1996-12-01–1997-12-31. The generation header is 1994-01-01–1998-12-31; versions outside that one-year window are not in this list (header count 21, listed 12).

2.2 AT 122 hp / 90 kW @ 5200, 176 Nm @ 4000, 2190 cc, 4 Inline, Automatic 4, fuel 92 — RWD (kerb not measured) and AWD (1765 / 2290 kg). Top speed 160 km/h. 0–100 not measured. 55.7 hp/l.

2.2 MT 122 hp, same engine, Manual 5 — AWD 1765 / 2290 kg and RWD (kerb not measured). 160 km/h. 0–100 not measured.

2.2 MT 113 hp / 188 Nm @ 2600, 2198 cc — AWD and RWD, both 1690 / 2345 kg, 14.7 s, 150 km/h. 2.2 AT 113 hp RWD: same mass, 150 km/h, 0–100 not measured. 51.4 hp/l.

Do not mix the 122 hp 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT (2190 cc, 176 Nm) with the 113 hp 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT (2198 cc, 188 Nm). The 122 hp cars make +9 hp and −12 Nm versus 113 hp.

4.3 AT 190 hp, 353 Nm @ 2800, 4300 cc, Automatic 4: AWD 10.7 s / 180 km/h / 19.3 / 11.8 / 16.6 l/100 km; RWD 9.2 s / 184 km/h / 17.9 / 11.0 / 15.4 l/100 km. Both 1720 / 2268 kg, 216 mm clearance. 4.3 MT 190 hp AWD and RWD: same mass and 216 mm; 0–100, top speed, and mpg not measured.

4.3 AT 193 hp AWD: 353 Nm @ 3600, 10.1 s, 180 km/h, 1860 / 2440 kg, 200 mm, mpg not measured. 140 kg heavier than the 190 hp 4.3 AT at 1720 kg, and 16 mm lower.

1 generation, restyling — AWD 3-door, 80 or 92 fuel

Nine versions, all AWD, all 200 mm, 1990-01-01–1994-12-31.

Four 4.3 MT / 4.3 AT at 161 hp, 315 Nm @ 1800, 4293 cc, fuel 80, Central injection (single-point or single- point): two Manual 5 and two Automatic 3. Engine position, compression, tank, kerb, 0–100, top speed, mpg: not measured. 37.5 hp/l.

Two 4.3 MT / 4.3 AT at 193 hp, 353 Nm @ 3600, 4300 cc, fuel 92, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.1: Manual 5 and Automatic 3. Tank, kerb, 0–100, top speed, mpg: not measured.

5.7 AT: 203 hp @ 4000, 420 Nm @ 1800, 5733 cc, 8 V-shaped, Automatic 4, fuel 80, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 9.3, 101.6 × 88, 11.1 s, 171 km/h, 114 l tank, 2120 / 2835 kg. 35.4 hp/l. This is the largest tank in the Chevrolet Blazer list (114 − 82 = 32 l more than generation 3).

Two more 4.3 AT / 4.3 MT at 193 hp but 315 Nm @ 1800, fuel 80, Central injection, Front, longitudinal, kerb 1680 kg, gross not measured. Same name 4.3 AT 193 hp as the 353 Nm 92-fuel car: split them by torque (315 vs 353), fuel (80 vs 92), and injection.

1 generation — AWD 3-door, 1982-01-01–1995-12-31

2.5 AT 105 / 2.495 = 42.1 hp/l. 5.7 AT 210 / 5.735 = 36.6 hp/l. The 210 hp 5.7 AT is the peak horsepower of generations 1–2, but it is 7 hp below restyle 2.0 AT (231 hp) and 101 hp below restyle 3.6 AT (311 hp). Versus restyle 5.7 AT 203 hp: this 1 generation 5.7 AT is +7 hp and −13 Nm (407 vs 420), on 5735 vs 5733 cc, Automatic 3 vs Automatic 4.

Performance and economy

Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest:

1. 3.6 AT FWD, 3 generation — 6.3 s, 232 km/h 2. 3.6 4x4 AT — 6.8 s, 209 km/h (0.5 s slower, 23 km/h slower than the FWD 3.6) 3. 2.0 T 4x4 AT — 8.0 s, 209 km/h (1.7 s slower than FWD 3.6) 4. 4.3 AT 190 hp RWD, 2 generation — 9.2 s, 184 km/h 5. 4.3 AT / 4.3 MT 193 hp on 2 generation restyling (all eight) and 4.3 AT 193 hp AWD on 2 generation — 10.1 s; top speed 160 or 180 km/h depending on the restyle subgroup 6. 4.3 AT 190 hp AWD, 2 generation — 10.7 s, 180 km/h (1.5 s slower than the RWD twin) 7. 5.7 AT 203 hp, 1 generation restyling — 11.1 s, 171 km/h 8. 5.7 AT 210 hp, 1 generation — 11.6 s, top speed not measured 9. 2.2 MT 113 hp AWD and RWD — 14.7 s, 150 km/h

Not measured: every restyle 1 of 3 generation version; 2.5 AT; both 122 hp 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT; 2.2 AT 113 hp; both 190 hp 4.3 MT; all 1 generation 4.3 and 2.5 / 2.8 cars except the 11.6 s 5.7 AT.

Mpg that exists:

• 2.5 AT: 10.7 / 8.7 / 9.4 l/100 km
• 3.6 AT FWD 308 hp: 11.8 / 9.0 / 11.1 — mixed is 1.7 l/100 km above 2.5 AT (11.1 − 9.4)
• 4.3 AT 190 hp AWD: 19.3 / 11.8 / 16.6
• 4.3 AT 190 hp RWD: 17.9 / 11.0 / 15.4 — AWD costs +1.4 city, +0.8 highway, +1.2 mixed versus this RWD twin

Everything else, including both restyle 2.0 AT and 3.6 AT: mpg not measured. CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version.

Range from tank × mixed where both exist: 2.5 AT 82 / 9.4 × 100 ≈ 872 km. 3.6 AT FWD 82 / 11.1 × 100 ≈ 739 km (133 km less). 4.3 AT 190 hp RWD 68 / 15.4 × 100 ≈ 442 km. 4.3 AT 190 hp AWD 68 / 16.6 × 100 ≈ 410 km.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 216 mm on four 190 hp 4.3 AT / 4.3 MT (2 generation); 200 mm on 1 generation, 1 generation restyling, 2 generation restyling, and the 193 hp 4.3 AT plus all 2.2 cars; 188 mm on every 3 generation and restyle version.

Kerb, kg per hp, where kerb is measured:

• 3.6 AT FWD 308 hp: 1822 kg → 5.92 kg/hp (best in the list)
• 3.6 4x4 AT 305 hp: 1985 kg → 6.51 kg/hp; AWD costs 163 kg versus FWD 3.6 (1985 − 1822)
• 2.0 T 4x4 AT 230 hp: 1938 kg → 8.43 kg/hp
• 4.3 MT / 4.3 AT 72 l restyle group: 1629 kg / 193 hp → 8.44 kg/hp
• 2.5 AT: 1728 kg → 8.95 kg/hp
• 4.3 AT 190 hp: 1720 kg → 9.05 kg/hp
• 4.3 AT 193 hp (2 generation): 1860 kg → 9.64 kg/hp
• 4.3 MT 68 l group: 1915 kg → 9.92 kg/hp; 4.3 AT 68 l: 1950 kg → 10.10 kg/hp
• 5.7 AT 203 hp: 2120 kg → 10.44 kg/hp (heaviest kerb in the list)
• 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT 122 hp AWD: 1765 kg → 14.47 kg/hp
• 2.2 MT / 2.2 AT 113 hp: 1690 kg → 14.96 kg/hp (worst kg/hp)

Gross 2722 kg is shared by 3.6 AT FWD, 3.6 4x4 AT, 2.0 T 4x4 AT. Payload where both weights exist: FWD 3.6 AT 2722 − 1822 = 900 kg; 3.6 4x4 AT 2722 − 1985 = 737 kg (163 kg less payload because of AWD mass); 2.0 T 4x4 AT 2722 − 1938 = 784 kg. 5.7 AT restyle of 1 generation: 2835 − 2120 = 715 kg. 72 l 4.3 cars: 2018 − 1629 = 389 kg. 68 l 4.3 AT: 2427 − 1950 = 477 kg.

Wheels: restyle and 3 generation 3.6 AT / 2.5 AT / both restyle 2.0 AT share 18/20/21 inch set above. 2.0 T 4x4 AT drops the 18 inch: only 235/55 R20 and 265/45 R21. 3.6 4x4 AT wheels: not measured. All 1–2 generation wheels: not measured.

Which version to choose

New / current Chevrolet Blazer. There is no 2.5 on 3 generation, restyling 1. Choose 2.0 AT or 3.6 AT, then FWD or AWD.

• Take 2.0 AT FWD if you want the highest power per litre in the live range (115.7 hp/l), 357 Nm from 1500 rpm, 82 l, 188 mm, Automatic 9, fuel 92. Same blank 0–100 as the 3.6 restyle.
• Take 2.0 AT AWD if you want that engine with AWD; the data does not add kilograms or seconds, because restyle weights and 0–100 are not measured.
• Take 3.6 AT FWD if you want 80 more hp than 2.0 AT (311 − 231) and 11 more Nm, at 85.4 hp/l. Use 3 generation 3.6 AT 308 hp figures as the only nearby 0–100: 6.3 s / 232 km/h / 1822 kg. The restyle FWD 3.6 is +3 hp on that car and otherwise the same 3640 cc / 368 Nm / 9-speed / 82 l / 188 mm.
• Take 3.6 AT AWD if you want AWD on the 311 hp engine. The nearest AWD 3.6 with numbers is 3.6 4x4 AT: 6.8 s, 209 km/h, 1985 kg. Restyle AWD 3.6 is +6 hp and −4 Nm versus that car.

Fuel on the restyle is 92 for all four; on 3 generation it is 95 for all four. That is a running-cost difference the restyle actually changes.

Used 2018–2023 SUV 5-doors, want a measured sprint. 3.6 AT FWD 308 hp is the fastest Chevrolet Blazer in the catalogue (6.3 s, 232 km/h) and the lightest 3.6 (1822 kg, 5.92 kg/hp). 3.6 4x4 AT buys AWD for 163 kg, 0.5 s, and 23 km/h. 2.0 T 4x4 AT buys Turbo, 115.2 hp/l, and 357 Nm from 1500 rpm, at 8.0 s and 1938 kg — 1.2 s slower than AWD 3.6, 116 kg lighter. 2.5 AT is the mpg pick: 9.4 mixed versus 11.1 on FWD 3.6, 872 vs 739 km from 82 l, 115 hp less (308 − 193), Automatic 6 not 9, FWD only, 0–100 not measured.

Used 3-door, 200 mm, Manual 5. 2 generation, restyling 4.3 MT AWD or RWD, 1998–2005, 72 l, 1629 kg. Same 10.1 s as the Automatic 4.3 AT. Do not pick the 1998–1999 68 l cars unless you need 180 km/h and accept 1915–1950 kg.

Used 5-door 1996–1997. Skip 113 hp 2.2 MT if you care about 0–100: 14.7 s is the slowest measured Blazer. 4.3 AT 190 hp RWD is the quick 4.3 (9.2 s, 184 km/h) and the only 4.3 with a full mpg set besides its AWD twin. Take the AWD twin only if you accept 10.7 s and 16.6 mixed. For 216 mm, this 190 hp four-version group is the only Chevrolet Blazer with that figure.

Collector / maximum tank or V-shaped 8. 5.7 AT on 1 generation, restyling: 203 hp, 420 Nm (highest torque in the list), 114 l, 2120 kg, 11.1 s, 171 km/h, fuel 80. 5.7 AT on 1 generation: 210 hp (highest 8-cylinder hp), 407 Nm, 11.6 s, remaining figures not measured. Neither matches generation 3 on seconds or kg/hp.

Do not buy for these reasons, on this data: restyle 2.0 AT or 3.6 AT if you require a printed 0–100 or mpg — both are not measured. 2.5 AT if you require AWD or 9 gears. 2.8 AT / 2.8 MT / 2.5 AT of 1 generation if you need torque, tank, or kerb — those fields are not measured. Any 1 generation 4.3 AT / 4.3 MT 161 hp if you can find the 193 hp 4.3 MT on the same generation: +32 hp and +38 Nm on the same 4293 cc.

Short map: daily current SUV 5-doors → restyle 2.0 AT FWD (density) or 3.6 AT FWD (peak hp). AWD current → restyle 2.0 AT AWD or 3.6 AT AWD. fastest measured → 3 generation 3.6 AT FWD. lowest mixed mpg measured → 2.5 AT. 3-door with a clutch → restyle of 2 generation 4.3 MT 72 l. highest torque → 1 generation restyling 5.7 AT 420 Nm.