What’s The Difference Between A Chevy Blazer And Traverse?
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If you’re looking for a new and versatile Chevrolet midsize SUV, the good news is that you’ll have more than one option to choose from. Chevrolet’s lineup of reliable midsize SUVs includes the Chevrolet Traverse and Blazer. I have done my research on the difference between the two options, and here is everything I have learned.
What’s The Difference Between A Chevy Blazer And Traverse?
The biggest difference between the Chevy Blazer and Travers is in the seating capacity. The Chevrolet Traverse is a three-row SUV that can accommodate up to eight passengers. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Blazer is a two-row midsize SUV fitted with five seats.
This means that if your family has less than five members, the Chevrolet Blazer would be the obvious choice for you.
However, if your family has more than five members, you should consider going for the Chevrolet Traverse.
The best thing about the Chevy Blazer is that it has a great design and is compact enough to appeal even to the single people who are looking for something more sturdy and charismatic than a hatchback.
The great thing about the Chevy Traverse is that it can accommodate up to eight passengers without being less fun to ride or a less intuitive instrument panel.
It might interest you to know that the two-row seating configuration of the Chevy Blazer has a split-folding second-row that offers buyers up to 64.2 cubic feet of available cargo capacity.
Additionally, the cargo volume with the seats in an upright position measures about 30.5 cubic feet.
This simply means that the Chevy Blazer has a greater standard cargo space compared to the Chevy Traverse, which comes with a greater maximum cargo volume.
When all the seats on the Chevy Traverse are in an upright position, the vehicle is left with 23 cubic feet worth of cargo volume.
However, when all the seats behind the first row of both the Chevy Traverse and Chevy Blazer are folded, the former surpasses the latter with an impressive 98.2 cubic feet worth of cargo volume.
Even though the Chevy Traverse can accommodate up to eight passengers, the seating arrangement is still comfortable enough for adults.
This explains why the Chevrolet Traverse is one of the top competitors as far as three-row SUVs are concerned.
The remainder of this article will break down more differences between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Chevrolet Blazer.
Read on to find out.
A Must Read Before Buying: Chevy Traverse Years to Avoid (Expert Weight In)
Price
Even though the Chevrolet Traverse and the Chevrolet Blazer differ in terms of features and size, their prices are not that far apart.
However, it’s very important to note that the prices of both midsize SUVs vary from one trim to the next.
For example, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is available in seven trims, making 2021 one of the best years for the Traverse.
On the other hand, the Chevy Blazer is available in six trims.
The following are the MSRP prices for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse trims:
- Traverse L: $30,995
- Traverse LS: $34,395
- Traverse LT Cloth: $36,895
- Traverse LT leather: $40,595
- Traverse RS: $45,195
- Traverse Premier: $47,295
- Traverse High Country: $52,395
The following are the prices for the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer trims:
- Blazer L: $28,800
- Blazer 1LT: $33,495
- Blazer 2LT: $34,295
- Blazer 3LT: $38,495
- Blazer RS: $41,995
- Blazer Premier: $43,695
Size
Another key difference between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Chevrolet Blazer is that of size.
As you might have learned by now, the Chevrolet Traverse is bigger than the Chevrolet Blazer in almost all aspects.
In order to accommodate the three rows, the Chevy Traverse measures about 204.3 inches long, 78.6 inches wide, 120.9 inches in wheelbase, as well as 70.7 inches tall.
These measurements translate to a fairly big SUV.
On the other hand, the Chevrolet Blazer measures about 191.4 inches long, 112.01 inches in wheelbase, 76.7 inches wide, and 67 inches tall.
You’re most likely to notice the difference between the size of both SUVs while you’re parking because the back end of the Traverse will be sticking out more compared to that of the Blazer.
Interior Design
Another difference you’re bound to note between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Chevrolet Blazer is with the interior design.
As mentioned earlier, the traverse is a three-row SUV that can accommodate up to eight passengers.
However, the interior design of the Chevrolet Traverse is basically an improvement of the previous generation Chevy.
This is because the vehicle’s interior is loaded up with lots of rough plastics and the climate controls are a bit challenging to fathom.
In simple terms, the physical controls inside the Chevrolet are too small for such a big vehicle.
This is attributed to the fact that the center stack inside the Chevy Traverse is the same as smaller cars like the Malibu.
On the other hand, the Chevrolet Blazer is undoubtedly a modern vehicle to drive.
One of the key things you’ll observe immediately when you walk inside a Chevrolet Blazer is the Camaro-style air vents you view as you drive around.
Unlike the Chevy Traverse, the climate controls on the Chevrolet Blazer are easier to use.
Instead of being bunched up, these climate controls are laid out in a straight line, making it easier and more convenient to operate without having to look down.
Also, another feature you’re bound to love in the Chevrolet Blazer is the trim ring that serves as the climate control.
This is because it is too big that it will be very hard for you to miss in the middle of a drive.
This means that you can effortlessly control the air temperature inside the vehicle, even in the middle of the drive.
Another great interior feature on both SUVs is the gauge clusters which feature easily customizable displays.
However, the gauge displays on the Chevrolet Blazer are sportier and purposeful compared to those on the Chevrolet Traverse.
Also, the steering wheel inside the Chevy Traverse has a fanned-out four-spoke appearance.
On the other hand, the steering wheel of the Chevy Blazer looks new, refined, and has a more angular four-spoke appearance.
Performance
All the trims of the Chevrolet Traverse run on the 3.6L naturally-aspirated V6 engine, one of the most powerful engines you can fit inside an SUV today.
This engine produces 310hp and 266-pound feet of torque.
However, before purchasing the Chevrolet Traverse, it is better you understand that the vehicle isn’t tuned for performance.
For example, the nine-speed gearbox fitted in the Chevy Traverse is best suited for efficiency.
As for the speed of the Traverse, the SUV can jump from 0 to 60mph in about seven seconds which is quite impressive based on its size and weight.
But, based on the target audience of this SUV, the tow rating and the optional all-wheel-drive system of the Traverse is much more important than its speed.
You can get the Chevrolet Traverse in front-wheel-drive format.
However, you can get the all-wheel-drive system from the manufacturer in the price range of $2,000 and $3,800 depending on the type of trim you own.
But, it’s very important to note that the AWD system isn’t available for the base L trim of the Traverse.
On the other hand, there are about three engine options to choose from as far as the Chevrolet Blazer is concerned, which means that the performance will vary from one model to the next.
The base engine of the Chevy Blazer, which is only compatible with the FWD, isn’t so important to mention since it is only good enough to move the heavy midsize SUV and nothing much.
If you’d like to get better and sporty performance from the Chevy Blazer, you’ll need to go for the turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 227hp and 258-pound feet of torque and also includes the AWD driving system.
This makes the Chevy Blazer decent in terms of performance compared to the Chevy Traverse.
However, if you’d like your Chevy Blazer to feel sportier and perform even better, you might want to opt for the 3.6L V6 engine which produces 308hp and 270-pound feet of torque.
This engine helps the Chevy Blazer to move from 0 to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds.
However, it might interest you to know that the Chevy Blazer only reaches a maximum speed of 130mph.
Towing Capacity
One of the main reasons most people will consider purchasing such a hefty midsize SUV like the Chevy Blazer and Chevy Traverse is for the towing capacity.
The good news is that both SUVs do not disappoint in their towing abilities.
The Chevy Traverse is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, while the Chevrolet Blazer can tow up to 4500 pounds when equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine.
More Chevy Traverse Articles:
We have a whole series about the Chevy Traverse and similar vehicles like the GMC Arcadia and Buick Enclave. If you are considering buying one, you simply must read about what year Chevy Traverse to avoid.
Summing Up
As you can see, there are several differences between the Chevrolet Traverse and Chevrolet Blazer. To determine which of the two midsize SUVs is the ideal one for you and your family, you’ll need to consider the different features each one of them brings to the table. This is to ensure that you don’t end up paying more for features you don’t need.