The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer is the latest vehicle to have been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The mid-size SUV achieved ‘Good’ ratings in all six crashworthiness evaluations that include the small overlap front (driver and passenger side), moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats.
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However, despite these results, it failed to qualify for a Top Safety Pick or a Top Safety Pick+ rating due to its headlights. In order for a car to bag the Top Safety Pick award, it must have ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ headlights on at least one trim level, and ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ clusters as standard across the range for the Top Safety Pick+. The ones on the 2021 Blazer were rated ‘Marginal’ and ‘Poor’, depending on the spec.
“The Blazer is available with three different headlight configurations: LED projector headlights with high beam assist and HID projector headlights with and without high beam assist. The LED projectors only earn a marginal rating because the high beams provide weak illumination on curves”, the IIHS noted. “The HID projector headlights receive poor ratings for the same reason in addition to excessive glare, with or without high-beam assist.”
The 2021 Blazer comes in L, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS and Premier grades, with MSRPs that vary between $28,800 and $42,500. The first two use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 193 HP, while the 2LT, 3LT and Premier are offered with a 2.0-liter turbo-four making 230 HP. The RS is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 pumping out 305 HP, and this engine is also available as an option in the 2LT, 3LT and Premier.