Men's Journal has for decades
had the uncanny ability to be in the know about everything current when it
comes to tech, tools, and especially the latest in cutting edge and alluring
toys. The best performing gear is highlighted in the December issue, and they
are always killing it when it comes to trends, style, and hot destinations. All
of us on staff here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis knew they would be excited to check
out exactly what would transpire when the muscle car stance and stature of a
legendary pony like the Camaro was mashed up with the likes of a stellar SUV.
Last week they recognized just how legendary the
reincarnated Blazer is with its well-defined wheel wells, sharp lines, and
very detailed bodywork. The testing crew still claims right off the bat that
with all sporty influence aside, this is a CUV touting ample cargo space, and
plenty of room for five. Features such as the adjustable rear seat, many USB
ports, and full-screen infotainment system make for a viable offering for
today's standards, at a very attractive entry-level price. The available trim
levels are the standard Blazer, shiny Premier, and aggressive and sporty RS.
Every trim comes with a mounted 8-inch screen and infotainment system, and the
Premier and RS models are powered by the heftier V6 with all-wheel drive.
The RS was the model tested by the Men's Journal
staff, and it generates 308 horsepower, while paired to a 9-speed transmission.
They appreciated the grumble of the exhaust note, and the way in which the
cockpit really derives from the Camaro's flavor and style. Bullet-formation a/c vents, sporty
digital instrumentation, and very sleek black leather interior accented with
contrasting red stitching. On the highway, the driver enhancements made the
Blazer seem as if it was practically on autopilot, as the Rear Cross Traffic Alert
injects a slight buzz in the driver seat on either the left or right, depending
on how far away the obstacle behind you is.
If you happen to veer too close to the edge of
your lane, Lane Keep Assist notifies the driver via a slight turn adjustment and
vibrations in the steering wheel. It's always nice to hear from someone
firsthand when they are literally blown away by a new driving feature, and
these well-seasoned gents said just that about the Chevy Adaptive Cruise
Control. On the highway with the cruise control set, the group could sit with
their feet flat on the floor while the Blazer easily maintained a safe braking
distance in the middle of traffic. Make sure you ask us about the Driver
Confidence II Package: it provides for you the adaptive cruise control, lane
keep assist, and rear cross traffic alert, as well as the addition of a
rearview camera mirror, heated and cooled front and rear seats, surround
camera, and an amazing 8-speaker Bose sound system!