Chevrolet Blazer Overview

Broadly speaking, there are two distinct markets for sport-utility vehicles. The first, and oldest, demands functionality above all else. Customers in this group routinely fill their vehicles with people and/or cargo, make regular use of the inherent strengths of the breed, and will head for the great outdoors as often as possible.

A second--and much larger--cadre of buyers are most interested in some of the features shared by the majority of sport-utes. They consider a high seating position and extra-strong construction as safety benefits for daily use and are attracted to the rugged aura these machines exude. But they also insist on big helpings of comfort and style. And they aren't likely to exercise off-road capabilities.

There are innumerable sub-groups within this market, of course, each with its own special needs. And there are fleet buyers who use sport-utilities for farm labor, forest patrols and a thousand other workaday tasks.

The demands are many and diverse. Nevertheless, the trio of mid-size sport-utilities from General Motors--Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy, and Oldsmobile Bravada--are designed to appeal to everyone. Properly equipped, they can be as rugged as you'd want, or can be given a veneer of civilization that makes them suitable for everything from camping to an evening at the opera.

To meet competition from such stalwarts as the Ford Explorer, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner, the three siblings from GM need to be very, very good. And aside from a few rough edges, which may or may not matter to you, they are.