Many individuals who walk through the front doors
of the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse
to narrow down their final decision for a new vehicle are curious to see
exactly how it stacks up to others. The brand new Chevy Blazer RS has been
turning many heads lately, and it has fit in rapidly and comfortably in the
quickly growing midsize crossover segment. Car and Driver recently
proclaimed the Blazer the superior champion over the Ford Edge, and this past
week, Motor Trend ran a comparison test pitting it against the
very popular Honda Passport.
These two crossovers are both quite similar on
paper, but at one glance side to side, you quickly see that they were designed
with a bit different traits in mind on behalf of both. The Blazer is
well-infused with some All-American and classic Camaro vibe with the aggressive
front fascia, sculpted sides, and different rear end. One of the main traits of
the passport that really made a difference in this match was the fact that
although it provides a very comfortable ride, it ultimately sacrifices flair
and style in the name of utility. The Blazer provides a sportier ride, which
will no doubt pleasantly surprise those who picked the current-crossover styled
vehicle while yearning for the Blazer of yesteryear.
The Passport boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine that
produces 280 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque, making it a tough competitor
against the Blazer's optional 3.6-liter V6 LGX motor that makes 308 horsepower,
and 272 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles offer nine-speed automatic transmissions
and all-wheel-drive, but the transmission on the Passport hinders its
performance, making for rough shifts at low speeds, and a bit of
unresponsiveness when laying into the accelerator. While the Passport
admittedly offers a bit more usable space than the Blazer, Motor Trend gave
it high marks for its powerful powertrain, composure behind the wheel, and
awesome styling.
Since they knew that the Blazer would be a hit
with car and truck lovers everywhere, GM is now at work developing a new
three-row Chevy Blazer XL. It is already slated for definite appearance for the
Chinese market, but its North American presence is still being debated. You can
check out this contest the Blazer reigned superior in against the Passport here, and check back with us on this blog periodically
for updates. The Consumer Reports staff really loved the footprint
of Camaro inspiration at the front and inside, as the sporty vibe of this
muscle car legend bodes well with the Blazer. Make sure you check out all of
the trims: wheels range from a standard 18 inches on the RS trim to 21 inches
on the Premier. If you are in the middle of the dog days of Missouri summer,
you'll get some practical use out of the Blazer's key fob: you can even crack
the windows with it before entering to let that sweltering heat dissipate!
