2003 Chevrolet Blazer Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This vintage-1995-design SUV continues as a lower-priced companion to Chevy's newer, larger, more powerful TrailBlazer. Blazer comes as 2-dr and 4-dr wagon in LS trim and as the sporty 2-dr Xtreme model. All have a 4.3-liter V6 engine and standard antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. The 2 drs offer manual transmission or optional automatic, 4 drs have automatic only. LSs offer rear-wheel drive, 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or General Motors' Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. The Xtreme has 2WD, a low-riding suspension, unique 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, and special trim and cladding. Front side airbags are not available.

Competition

New to the class this year, Honda Pilot has taken the lead as a Best Buy. It offers ample cargo space, seating for eight passengers, all-wheel drive with a locking rear differential for added traction, and above-average refinement. Toyota Highlander is our other Best Buy, chosen for its on-road competence, convenience, and attractive pricing and design.

Our Recommended choices feature more-traditional SUVs: Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner. For 2003, all now offer optional V8 engines and--with the exception of 4Runner--three rows of seats.

News

Blazer is set to be dropped after model-year '05. No interim changes of note are likely, though we wouldn't be surprised if the Xtreme goes away sooner. Despite Blazer's new role as Chevy's "high value" midsize SUV, year-to-year sales keep skidding--down 33.9 percent in calendar 2001 and another 36 percent in 2002.

2003 Chevrolet Blazer Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Rear-seat comfort

	Fuel economy

	Rear-seat entry/exit (2-door)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.9

Blazer's V6 not as strong as TrailBlazer's inline 6, but furnishes lively takeoffs, good midrange passing power in this somewhat lighter SUV.

Fuel Economy

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	4	3.7

Par for 6-cyl midsize SUVs: around 16.5 mpg overall in our tests.

Ride Quality

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	4	4.4

Not as comfortable as TrailBlazer, but smoother than most truck-based midsize SUVs.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
2	3	3.5

Firm steering, adequate stopping ability, and good overall handling.

Quietness

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4.1

Wind and road noise are moderate at highway speeds. V6 gets pretty raucous in hard acceleration.

Controls

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Large, clear gauges. High-mounted audio and climate controls are easy to reach. Outward visibility is hampered by thick roof pillars and, at night, by dark-tinted rear windows. Lots of low-grade plastic detracts from cabin decor.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
5	5	6.3

Seats too soft for ideal support, and floor hump steals passenger foot room. Not as spacious as TrailBlazer or Ford Explorer, but adequate. Step-in reasonable except with high-riding, big-wheel ZR2 option.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
2	3	5.4

Head clearance is good, but leg room is stingy, especially in 2 drs. Seat is hard and its cushion too short for long-haul comfort. Small door openings spell subpar entry/exit even in the 4 dr.

Cargo Room

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7.8

Thanks to spare-tire stowage below the rear underbody, cargo room is good with the rear seatback up and generous with it folded.

Value within Class

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
2	3	5

It's outclassed by newer-design rivals and the larger, more refined TrailBlazer, but decent ride, capable engine, and ready discounts are Blazer assets.

Total Score

LS 2-dr 2WD, auto.	LS 4-dr 4WD, auto.	Class Average
39	43	51.2

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		35
Average Score		51
High Score		66

2003 Chevrolet Blazer Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/29/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 2-door wagon, 2WD	$20,745	$18,774	$650

LS 2-door wagon, 4WD	$23,745	$21,489	$650

LS 4-door wagon, 2WD	$24,695	$22,349	$650

LS 4-door wagon, 4WD	$26,695	$24,159	$650

Xtreme 2-door wagon, 2WD	$22,845	$20,675	$650

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

4.3-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission (2-door), 4-speed automatic transmission w/column shift (4-door).

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/driver-seat manual lumbar adjustment (2-door), front console (2-door), split front bench seat (4-door), cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, passenger-side visor mirror, automatic headlights, variable-intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, roof rails, liftgate.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

235/70R15 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Xtreme adds to LS 2-door:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear defogger.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Color-keyed body cladding, fog lights, rear deep-tinted glass.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Heavy-duty trailer hitch, 8-wire trailer harness, lowered sport suspension, full-size spare tire, 235/60R16 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
1SB Preferred Equipment Group
2WD LS 2-door	$867	$746
4WD LS 2-door	$905	$778
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, floor-mounted shifter (w/automatic transmission), heated power mirrors, power windows and door locks, floormats, roof rack, front tow hooks (4WD).

1SC Preferred Equipment Group
2WD LS 4-door	$1,647	$1,416
4WD LS 4-door	$1,685	$1,449
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, front bucket seats, center console, heated power mirrors, power windows and door locks, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, floormats, roof rack, bodyside moldings, front tow hooks (4WD).

1SX Preferred Equipment Group
Xtreme	$945	$812
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, floor-mounted shifter (w/automatic transmission), heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, power liftgate release, rear wiper/washer, floormats.

1SY Preferred Equipment Group
Xtreme	$1,890	$1,625
1SX Preferred Equipment Group plus 6-way power driver seat, remote keyless entry, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors.

ZR2 Wide Stance Performance Pkg.
LS 2-door	$2,000	$1,720
Heavy-duty wide-stance chassis, heavy-duty suspension, raised ride height, Bilstein shock absorbers, Shield Pkg., heavy-duty differential gears and axles, fender flares. Requires limited-slip differential. 2WD requires automatic transmission.

ZM8 Rear Convenience Group
LS	$322	$277
Power liftgate release, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer. 2-door requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group. 4-door requires 1SC Preferred Equipment Group.

Trailering Special Equipment
LS	$210	$181
Includes platform hitch, 8-wire harness. 2WD models require automatic transmission. Std. Xtreme.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
LS 2-door, Xtreme	$1,000	$860


Limited-slip rear differential
LS, Xtreme	$270	$232


Autotrac 4WD transfer case
4WD LS	$225	$194
Requires automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features
6-way power driver seat
LS 4-door	$275	$237
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Power sunroof
LS, Xtreme	$800	$688
ordered w/AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	$300	$258
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Custom overhead console
LS 2-door, Xtreme	$147	$126
Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator. Requires Preferred Equipment Group, illuminated visor mirrors.

Deluxe overhead console
LS 2-door, Xtreme	$332	$286
Includes universal garage-door opener, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors. LS requires 1SC Preferred Equipment Group. Xtreme requires 1SY Preferred Equipment Group.

Illuminated visor mirrors
LS, Xtreme	$90	$77
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SB or 1SX and custom overhead console.

Remote keyless entry
LS	$170	$146
LS 2-door requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group. LS 4-door requires 1SC Preferred Equipment Group.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
LS, Xtreme	$100	$86
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
LS, Xtreme	$395	$340
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Steering-wheel radio controls
LS, Xtreme	$125	$108
Requires automatic transmission, Preferred Equipment Group.

Floormats
LS, Xtreme	$30	$26


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
LS	$115	$99
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Roof rack
LS, Xtreme	$45	$39


Rear deep-tinted glass
LS	$81	$71
Requires ZM8 Convenience Group.

Special paint
LS 2-door, Xtreme	$115	$99


Gold Pkg.
Xtreme	$175	$151


Bodyside moldings
LS 4-door	$50	$43


Heat Appearance Pkg.
Xtreme	$	$
Flame decals.

Hood and tailgate stripes
Xtreme	$175	$151
NA w/Heat Appearance Pkg.

Cold Climate Pkg.
LS, Xtreme	$90	$77
Includes heavy-duty battery, engine-block heater.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Skid plates
4WD	$126	$108


Front tow hooks
4WD	$38	$33


Heavy-duty battery
LS, Xtreme	$56	$48


Exterior spare tire carrier
4WD LS 2-door	$159	$137
Includes cover. Requires full-size spare tire.

Full-size spare tire
LS	$95	$82


235/70R15 white-letter tires
LS	$133	$114


235/75R15 on/off-road white-letter tires
4WD LS	$168	$144
2-door requires exterior spare-tire carrier.

2003 Chevrolet Blazer Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Blazer 2-door wagon	Chevrolet Blazer 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	100.5	107.0

Overall Length, in.	177.3	183.8

Overall Width, in.	67.8	67.8

Overall Height, in.	64.5	64.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3848	4049

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	60.6	67.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0	18.0

Seating Capacity	5	6

Front Head Room, in.	39.6	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.3	38.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.6	36.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.3 /262

Horsepower @ rpm.	190 @ 4400

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	250 @ 2800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	15/20

4-speed automatic	15/19

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Blazer 2-door wagon	Chevrolet Blazer 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	3	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4	4

Rollover Resistance	2	2

Side Impact, Driver	5	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2003 Chevrolet Blazer Photos

Also in the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer Review:

Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet Blazer Road Test

Chevrolet Blazer Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Blazer Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Blazer Photos

Chevrolet Blazer Full Review

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