2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs, Colors, Reviews

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs, Colors, Reviews   –  While Ford is readying the world for the resurrection of one of its most iconic off-roaders, Chevrolet took a decidedly different approach when it brought back the Blazer name. In fairness, the SUV’s last decade on the market before it was discontinued – 1995 to 2004 – was one of relative obscurity, ditching its reputation as a rugged off-road machine in favour of something far more bland. That makes the new Blazer something of an odd reincarnation, drawing design inspiration from the Camaro and grafting it onto a family-friendly package.

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The Blazer occupies something of a unique corner of the two-row SUV market. Measuring 4,862 mm from tip to tail, it’s similar in size to the 4Runner, an outlier in a segment where smaller entries like the RAV4 and CR-V enjoy incredible popularity. With the Equinox already competing with those best-sellers, the Blazer gives Chevrolet something of a right-sized option for a family of three or four looking for more space in something this side of a three-row SUV.

Despite their smaller dimensions, both the RAV4 and CR-V offer slightly more cargo room than the Blazer. Toyota’s two-row features 1,059 L behind the back seats and 1,977 L with them folded, while the CR-V offers 1,110 L with the rear seats up and 2,146 L with them down. The Blazer, meanwhile, has 864 L with all seats upright and 1,818 L with them folded. It is, however, a boxy cargo compartment, and the seats fold completely flat for maximum usability. There are also some small in-floor storage cubbies, and an available divider that’s mounted on rails and can split the cargo area to keep items secured. The second row can also slide fore and aft for slightly more cargo room as required.

Where the Blazer comes up marginally short of its smaller competitors in its ability to carry cargo it makes up for with room for people. Both rows of seats provide noticeably more space to stretch out, particularly in terms of width. There’s also plenty of legroom in the second row, though the optional panoramic sunroof featured on my tester cut into the available rear headroom.

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs

That a sunroof isn’t standard fare on any Blazer model is but one of the many puzzling packaging decisions. Advanced safety and driver-assist features, too, must be added through pricey upgrade packages. Worse still, stuff like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control is only offered in the two most expensive trims (RS and Premier). In an era when rivals are including such equipment in even their most affordable models, it isn’t a good look for the bowtie brand that those features aren’t even available in cheaper trims.

Otherwise, most features expected in an SUV like this are offered – particularly in the RS and Premier models. All trims get heated front seats, an eight-inch infotainment system (though there are different tiers that range in quality and content), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that works as far as 50 ft away from the vehicle. The Blazer RS adds a heated steering wheel and built-in navigation, while the Premier gets ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

My tester featured a $4,395 upgrade package that includes a host of advanced safety features, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, and a digital rear-view mirror that provides a live video feed of what’s happening directly behind the Blazer – a handy feature when the view out the back window is obstructed. There’s also a surround-view monitor and about a dozen different camera angles that can be pulled up on the head unit, including a hitch view that makes aligning with a trailer easier.

Engine and Performance

The 2026 Blazer is offered with a trio of engine choices, including a pair of four-cylinders and a V6 – the latter of which is the only one offered in RS and Premier models. It’s a naturally aspirated 3.6L motor that generates 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, providing plenty of passing power and linear acceleration when required. As an added bonus, the exhaust provides a throaty snarl that isn’t especially menacing but offers a theatre of sound that’s perfectly matched to the sport utility’s personality.  2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs

It’s no performance SUV, but the Blazer RS certainly is a smooth operator. There’s a familiarity here that’s reminiscent of V6-powered GM sport utilities of the last two decades, only modernized. Credit the nine-speed automatic transmission and twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system for giving the Blazer’s powertrain a modern flair, and the naturally aspirated engine for keeping it firmly rooted in the past in the best way possible.

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Fuel Economy

The throwback feel of the V6-powered Blazer is also notable in just how much gas it consumes. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates six-cylinder models at 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 L/100 km on the highway for combined consumption of 11.4 L/100 km. That’s not especially impressive – and neither were my real-world results. A weeklong test spanning 600 km finished at 11.5 L/100 km combined. Considering the vast majority of my time with the Blazer was spent in front-wheel drive, cruising secondary highways and country roads, I expected better.  2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Safety Features

The Blazer held up well in minimal crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though the regimen wasn’t complete enough to warrant a safety rating from the non-profit organization. The IIHS did, however, note mostly good results – the best it gives – in moderate front overlap and side impact crash testing.

All versions of the Blazer come with seven airbags and the requisite rear-view camera the government mandated a couple of years ago, while blind-spot monitoring is equipped on most models. But little beyond that is standard – and most of it isn’t even available in more affordable trims. Forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are only offered as add-ons in the two most expensive models. My tester was decked out with all the various advanced systems offered, and they performed well and without panic. In fact, that’s probably the best way to describe the different safety and driver-assist features available – that they work without excess alarm and overreaction.   2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs

2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Price and Release Date

The 2026 Blazer starts at $35,098 while the Blazer RS rings in at $46,298, neither of which are unreasonable sums for such an SUV. That extra $11,000 – which is a little less than the pre-tax price of a 2026 Chevrolet Spark, for those keeping score at home – covers the cost of the upgraded model’s outstanding styling package, V6 engine, and all-wheel drive. However, it still comes short of the kind of creature comforts one can reasonably expect for the money.

To add the advanced safety features, as well as an eight-speaker stereo, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a wireless phone charger, among others, requires another $4,395 – all for features that really should be included for the sticker price. My tester included the upgrade package and more (panoramic power sunroof, pearl white paint, and an engine block heater), pushing the selling price to $55,768 with freight and fees included.  2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS Specs