2019 Chevy Blazer
Lexus Fanatic
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From: ON/NY
That's where I don't totally agree wth the reasoning, though. Sure, Chevy may be marketing the Blazer in a class above the Equinox. That, however, is simply on paper, and, in actuality, it doesn't actually make the Blazer a step above. In the auto industry, marketers have the power to deceive....look how long it took Mazda, for example, to admit that the Navajo (which I sure you'll remember), Tribute, and B-truck series were nothing but almost totally rebadged Fords.
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From: Southeastern PA
But Chevy creates its own dilemma by making making the top level Equinox cost too much--a similarly equipped Blazer can't be the same price; it has to cost more.
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From: Southeastern PA
Not exactly. A "very juvenile" answer would be, say, if I told you shouldn't get so butt-hurt on an internet forum, and told you to get some anger management. That would have been "very juvenile".
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
What are the starting prices of each the Equinox or Blazer? And what are the top end prices?
Of course they are in two different price ranges. Equinoxes run roughly (base price) from 24-36K, and Blazers from 29K to 45K. That simply shows how Chevy has overpriced the Blazer, particularly on high-end models. They are in two different price ranges despite the fact that aren't that much different from each other except for the body and interior. It's basically deception on the part of the marketers.
This, by the way, from Car and Driver on the Blazer;
https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/blazer
Highs: Seriously sporty driving responses, enthusiastic V-6 engine, no shortage of desirable features.
Lows: Top features reserved for top trims, larger wheels diminish ride quality, not a great value.
Verdict: Chevy's flashiest crossover is enjoyable to drive but can be expensive to buy.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 5, 2019 at 06:53 PM.
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From: Maryland
It clearly is a step above the Equinox. Its larger, has better powertrain options (A V6 for instance you can't get on an Equinox), has more sophisticated suspension, has a better ride I'm sure and more capability. Come on, you get it...you just have it out for this car...you didnt even drive it and you're saying its no better than the Equiniox? Absurd.
And who didn't know that the B Series trucks, the Navajo and Tribute were rebadged Fords?! Was that a secret?
And who didn't know that the B Series trucks, the Navajo and Tribute were rebadged Fords?! Was that a secret?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Another reason is very likely that, on the Blazer, the marketers are simply trying to take advantage of a hot SUV market right now to try and profiteer as much as possible. That appears to be the true reason GM and Ford are getting rid of sedans......not necessarily because sedans aren't selling (though it's true that many of their numbers are down some), but to try and steer (or force) customers into high-profit SUVs and trucks. It's basically a manipulation of the vehicle-market. It fools some people....doesn't fool me.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 5, 2019 at 07:01 PM.
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From: Maryland
You can't take an overpriced stablemate to determine what a reasonable price for a vehicle. What's $42K get you if you buy an Edge? That's much more of a competitor to the Blazer.
But Chevy creates its own dilemma by making making the top level Equinox cost too much--a similarly equipped Blazer can't be the same price; it has to cost more.
But Chevy creates its own dilemma by making making the top level Equinox cost too much--a similarly equipped Blazer can't be the same price; it has to cost more.
As for the Edge? A loaded Edge Titanium (not the ST) is about $52k.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
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From: ON/NY
That's where I don't totally agree wth the reasoning, though. Sure, Chevy may be marketing the Blazer in a class above the Equinox. That, however, is simply on paper, and, in actuality, it doesn't actually make the Blazer a step above. In the auto industry, marketers have the power to deceive....look how long it took Mazda, for example, to admit that the Navajo (which I sure you'll remember), Tribute, and B-truck series were nothing but almost totally rebadged Fords.
I know this is going back some time, and I don't know if you are old enough to remember, but in the late 1970s, we saw classic deception from all of the Big Three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) by transferring the names of their big flagship sedans (Bonneville, Fury/Gran Fury, Monaco, LTD, etc...) to what had been previously been their mid-sizers. This was often done before the big sedans had been redesigned and downsized...that alone was a different issue.
I know this is going back some time, and I don't know if you are old enough to remember, but in the late 1970s, we saw classic deception from all of the Big Three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) by transferring the names of their big flagship sedans (Bonneville, Fury/Gran Fury, Monaco, LTD, etc...) to what had been previously been their mid-sizers. This was often done before the big sedans had been redesigned and downsized...that alone was a different issue.
The Equinox had a V6 option for years, until it was dropped last year. The Equinox has essentially the same engine options as the former Equinox....a standard four and an optional 3.6L V6.
Of course they are in two different price ranges. Equinoxes run roughly (base price) from 24-36K, and Blazers from 29K to 45K. That simply shows how Chevy has overpriced the Blazer, particularly on high-end models. They are in two different price ranges despite the fact that aren't that much different from each other except for the body and interior. It's basically deception on the part of the marketers.
This, by the way, from Car and Driver on the Blazer;
https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/blazer
Highs: Seriously sporty driving responses, enthusiastic V-6 engine, no shortage of desirable features.
Lows: Top features reserved for top trims, larger wheels diminish ride quality, not a great value.
Verdict: Chevy's flashiest crossover is enjoyable to drive but can be expensive to buy.
Of course they are in two different price ranges. Equinoxes run roughly (base price) from 24-36K, and Blazers from 29K to 45K. That simply shows how Chevy has overpriced the Blazer, particularly on high-end models. They are in two different price ranges despite the fact that aren't that much different from each other except for the body and interior. It's basically deception on the part of the marketers.
This, by the way, from Car and Driver on the Blazer;
https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/blazer
Highs: Seriously sporty driving responses, enthusiastic V-6 engine, no shortage of desirable features.
Lows: Top features reserved for top trims, larger wheels diminish ride quality, not a great value.
Verdict: Chevy's flashiest crossover is enjoyable to drive but can be expensive to buy.
I think I am finished arguing this case. I will move on.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Mar 5, 2019 at 07:04 PM.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
And who didn't know that the B Series trucks, the Navajo and Tribute were rebadged Fords?! Was that a secret?
I forgave them, though.....and ended up buying a Protege.
I had a couple of small Mazdas previously, in the 1980s, and liked them
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I think I am finished arguing this case. I will move on.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 5, 2019 at 07:27 PM.
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From: Massachusetts
This money also puts you in a high spec Grand Cherokee with nicer interior, real off road capability and better engines.
These are direct competitors that simply do more. Then there's the fact that this money also puts you in larger 3-row crossovers in top trim. Chevy's own Traverse at $45-50K trims is much nicer.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
Apples and Oranges. I did not comment on the road manners because that's not what I'm writing about in this thread. This is not an MM review...I'm simply commenting on a static inspection and pricing. I'm well aware of how the GM 3.6L and 9-speed operate.....I've sampled it on several of its vehicles.
The Mazda marketers, at first, in their advertising, more or less tried to make it one...they didn't want to admit that their overseers at Ford were calling the shots for them. When I first looked at the Navajo....I pointed the Explorer (2-door) Sport rebadge out to them right on the lot.....they denied it, and gave me a look like I didn't know what I was talking about.
I remember none of that. It was always obvious that the Navajo was a rebadged Explorer, as was the B Series a rebadged Ranger. And, the Navajo and B Series weren't positioned above the Explorer or Ranger in price either.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
This money also puts you in a high spec Grand Cherokee with nicer interior, real off road capability and better engines.
These are direct competitors that simply do more. Then there's the fact that this money also puts you in larger 3-row crossovers in top trim. Chevy's own Traverse at $45-50K trims is much nicer.
Here's my spec loaded Edge Titanium, $51k. The $49k includes $2k in customer cash, Blazer will have the same sort of incentives.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I understand your point....but I'm talking about overall value. I haven't test-driven a new Rolls Royce, either, though I'm not sure it's worth the $300,000+ that Rolls typically asks.
So because stupid Mazda salesmen refused to accept that the Navajo was just an Explorer the entire Mazda brand was trying to hide it? Please.
I remember none of that. It was always obvious that the Navajo was a rebadged Explorer, as was the B Series a rebadged Ranger. And, the Navajo and B Series weren't positioned above the Explorer or Ranger in price either.
I remember none of that. It was always obvious that the Navajo was a rebadged Explorer, as was the B Series a rebadged Ranger. And, the Navajo and B Series weren't positioned above the Explorer or Ranger in price either.
One thing that kept the Navajo down was that Ford refused to give Mazda a four-door version of it.......perhaps (?) because the Explorer sold so hot in the early 1990s that Ford itself could barely keep up with demand for the 4-door version. The 2-door Explorer Sport, of course, sold in much lower numbers, and Ford could spare the assembly-line space with the Navajo version.
