Impact of Chevy Blazer SUV : 'I want one of those'

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- I took delivery of the tested 2021 Chevrolet Blazer RS AWD in exchange for turning over the all-electric Kia Niro ... and my attitude changed in a heartbeat.

No more obsessing over the electric battery range.  No more feather-footing.  In some circles, I would have been found guilty of driving the midsize Blazer crossover sport-utility vehicle like an energy-wasting knucklehead.

Yet one more layer of judgment in today's world, but all worldly transitions are full of such stuff.

There was one more thing that happened in my week with the Blazer, however ... something that crops up every now and then.  My spouse liked the vehicle so much that she thought I should purchase one.

A quick glance at my checkbook told me that this was an unlikely development, but I did take note of her extensive list of likes.

It all boiled down to this: the tested Blazer did everything well.  That included looks, performance, comfort, spaciousness and amenities.  Throw in safety as well, given the Blazer's max five-star federal government crash test safety ratings and excellent standard safety equipment.

It was an impressive test week, and somewhat surprising to me in a segment that typically touts the charms of the Subaru Outback, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I was lucky right off the bat as my Blazer was the RS model, almost universally praised for its sporty good looks. My ride looked particularly spiffy in its "Cherry Red Tintcoat" skin and jet black interior.

On top of that, the tested RS had the strongest Blazer engine, by far.  Power came from a 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 308 horsepower, muscle far ahead of the 2.5-cylinder and 2-liter turbo four-cylinder ratings of 193 and 227, respectively, in other Blazer trim levels.

I could do pretty much whatever I wanted to do with the V-6 power plant, whether it was jetting around downtown pokes or freeway stragglers.  The Blazer easily moved out of harm's way when asked.

Interior comfort and roominess was praised by occupants of all five seats.

The generous standard perks included leather surfaces, a hands-free liftgate and a blizzard of connectivity technology.  Nearly $4,000 in extras turned the tester into a luxury liner. That included a primo Bose audio system, a surround-vision vehicle-position screen and a wireless charger.  Fuel mileage was OK at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

All that brought the bottom line on the sticker to a somewhat hefty $47,680.  All in all, it was a fair price for this Blazer.

If you have some funds to loan to my wife for purchasing one, give me a buzz.