You simply can't ignore the K Blazer's big, bold visual statement. It's high, measuring 72.4 inches from ground to rooftop, 8.1 inches higher than Chevrolet's midsize S-Blazer. Ground clearance is not out of the ordinary, but the step up over the door sill almost an acrobatic exercise . As mentioned, aftermarket running boards (Chevrolet doesn't offerthem) will help.Although the platform for this vehicle is 25 years old, the look is very contemporary. Lines are smooth and more rounded than on the S-Blazer. Our Sport edition was 0nyx Black, with black grille, bumpers, wheel lip moldings and lower bodysides. This was all set off nicely by 16-inch styled aluminum wheels clad in husky LT265/75R blackwall tires.
The K Blazer's height and distance off the ground are also apparent when you pull yourself up and in the cabin. Aside from people of small stature, this could be a problem for women in skirts and children. If those clambering on board are headed for the back seat, they really have some contorting to do. But once inside and seated, all the hard work pays off with wide expanses of glass that provide for great vistas. Seats are comfortable and supportive. Chevrolet accurately calls this a five-passenger vehicle with this seating configuration. A front bench seat option makes it a six-passenger vehicle, although the transmission hump and shift console make it short-trips-only for the middle front seat passenger. The rear seatback folds forward for maximum cargo capacity, but it's not split, so there is no provision for a rear seat passenger and longer cargos such as skis. There is plenty of head, shoulder, hip and knee room. While we wouldn't want to have three rear seat passengers for too long, there's enough room in the K Blazer to make a safari without everyone hating each other after a day or two. Although this is a big-looking and big-acting vehicle, cargo volume in the K Blazer is relatively modest. Volume with the rear seatback folded is 99.4 cubic feet. With the rear seat in place, it's 51.8 cubic feet. Midsize four-wheelers such as Jeeps Grand Cherokee Limited, Ford Explorer Limited and Isuzu Trooper LS have volumes very near this. Perhaps our biggest quarrel with K Blazer's cargo capacity is how you get to it. To enter from the rear, you lift the upper tailgate glass (released by a driver's remote control when the transmission is in park), then drop the tailgate. You have to reach over or around the tailgate for access. This can be difficult, especially for cargo placed forward. You could access cargo forward through either door, but access is limited by the front travel of the bucket seats. Also, the spare tire and wheel are mounted to the left side of the cargo area, further limiting capacity and access. Safety equipment is comparable to other makes. There is no driver-side air bag - the Ford Bronco and jeep Grand Cherokee currently are the only models with this safety feature. Air bags are in the works for Chevy and the imports. From the driver's standpoint, everything is laid out properly. Chevrolet has had enough time to get some things right and the ergonomics here are straightforward and well-done. Gauges, switches and controls are all sensibly placed, legible and well-lighted. There is convenient storage, and the cupholders, while too small for bigger cups, are adequate. |
