2005 Chevrolet Blazer Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Chevy consigns 4-dr Blazers to the fleet market for 2005, leaving retail buyers with an unchanged 2-dr model. This SUV uses an 11-year-old truck-based design and seats four. It has a 4.3-liter V6, manual and automatic transmissions, and standard antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. Front side airbags are unavailable. Blazer is offered with rear-wheel drive or one of two 4WD setups with low-range gearing: optional all-surface Autotrac or basic 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement. An off-road-oriented ZR2 package features a high-riding suspension, larger tires, fortified chassis components, skid plates, tubular side steps, and front brush guard.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, and Toyota 4Runner.

News

Blazer won't be back for 2006. The car-like Equinox is now in full production as Chevy's junior midsize SUV, so there's no more need for the old truck-type Blazer.

2005 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

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
5	4.9

Lacks the power of many comparably priced rivals, but acceleration from a stop is fairly lively, midrange passing power good.

Fuel Economy

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
4	3.9

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

Ride Quality

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
3	5.1

Acceptable, but short wheelbase allows some pitch and jitter on wavy roads and rough pavement. Most rivals have longer wheelbases, superior ride comfort.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
2	3.8

Firm steering, adequate stopping power, but lots of body lean in turns, especially high-riding ZR2.

Quietness

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
3	4.8

Moderate wind and road noise at highway speeds. V6 gets pretty raucous at full throttle.

Controls

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
5	6.3

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

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
4	6.7

Adequate adult space, but seats too soft for ideal support, and intrusive floor hump steals passenger foot room. Step-in reasonable except on high-riding ZR2.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
2	6.2

Cabin relatively narrow, so only two seatbelts. Good head clearance, but stingy leg room. Seat hard, cushion too short for long-haul comfort. Entry/exit the usual 2-dr squeeze play.

Cargo Room

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
7	7.8

Spare tire stows below the rear underbody, so good cargo room with rear seatback up, generous with it folded.

Value within Class

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
2	5.6

Blazer is capable and usually carries deep discounts, but that's not enough to offset an indifferent ride, mediocre fit/finish, and the limitations of an elderly 2-dr design. ZR2 appeals to a small, select audience.

Total Score

Base 2WD, auto.	Class Average
37	55.1

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		55
High Score		67

2005 Chevrolet Blazer Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/09/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD Base 2-door wagon	$21,305	$19,281	$685

4WD Base 2-door wagon	$24,305	$21,996	$685

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

Base

Powertrain

4.3-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

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, center console, split front bench seat, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, automatic headlights, variable-intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, tailgate.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

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

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
1SB Preferred Equipment Group
2WD	$1,150	$989
4WD	$1,190	$1,023
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, floor-mounted shifter (w/automatic transmission), heated power mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, passenger-side visor mirror, floormats, roof rack, front tow hooks (4WD).

1SC Preferred Equipment Group
2WD	$2,305	$1,982
4WD	$2,345	$2,017
1SB Preferred Equipment Group plus 6-way power driver seat, passenger-seat walk-in device, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, power liftgate release, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, theft-deterrent alarm, rear deep-tinted glass.

ZR2 Wide Stance Performance Pkg.
4WD	$2,000	$1,720
2WD	$2,500	$2,150
Heavy-duty wide-stance chassis, heavy-duty suspension, raised ride height, Bilstein shock absorbers, skid plates, heavy-duty differential gears and axles, floormats, brush guard (2WD), side steps (2WD), fender flares, rear-mounted full-size spare tire, 265/75R15 on/off-road tires. Requires limited-slip differential. 2WD requires Trailering Special Equipment.

ZM8 Rear Convenience Group
Base	$325	$280
Power liftgate release, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer. Requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group.

Trailering Special Equipment
Base	$210	$181
Includes platform hitch, 8-wire harness. 2WD models require ZR2 Wide Stance Performance Pkg. or automatic transmission.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
Base	$1,000	$860


Limited-slip rear differential
Base	$270	$232


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

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$800	$688
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Custom overhead console
Base	$150	$129
Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors. Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Deluxe overhead console
Base	$330	$284
Includes universal garage-door opener, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors, compass. Requires 1SC Preferred Equipment Group.

Illuminated visor mirrors
Base	$90	$77
Requires custom overhead console. Requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Base	$100	$86
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

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

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

Rear defogger
Base	$125	$108


Floormats
Base	$30	$26


Smokers Pkg.
Base	$30	$28
Ash tray, lighter.

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

Roof rack
Base	$150	$129


Rear deep-tinted glass
Base	$80	$69
Requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group, ZM8 Convenience Group.

Special paint
Base	$165	$142


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

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Skid plates
4WD	$125	$108


Front tow hooks
4WD	$40	$34


Heavy-duty battery
Base	$55	$47


Exterior spare tire carrier
4WD	$160	$138
Includes cover. Requires full-size spare tire.

Full-size spare tire
Base	$95	$82


235/70R15 white-letter tires
Base	$135	$116


235/75R15 on/off-road white-letter tires
4WD	$170	$146
Requires exterior spare-tire carrier.

2005 Chevrolet Blazer Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Blazer 2-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	100.5

Overall Length, in.	176.8

Overall Width, in.	67.8

Overall Height, in.	64.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3866

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	60.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	966

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.7

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.6

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	15/19

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

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	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	5/60,000	Aveo and Cobalt only.

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

Corrosion	6/100,000100,000	--

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

< 2005 Chevrolet Blazer Photos

Also in the 2005 Chevrolet Blazer Review:

Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet Blazer Road Test

Chevrolet Blazer Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Blazer Specs & Safety

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