Chevy first debuted the Blazer back in 1969, with its off-roading capabilities and more passenger room than the average truck. This truck-based crossover began with up to 255 horsepower thanks to its 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and classic GM color options. The Blazer continued to undergo several changes over the years until Chevy took it out of the lineup in 2005. That is, until 2019, when Chevy decided to bring back the Blazer in its revamped state. Now, the 2021 Chevy Blazer is ready to continue building the Blazer legacy.
Now, with 64.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity, over 11 colors to choose from, and 6 different trims, the Blazer is back and better than ever. It’s far less bulky, capable of towing a decent amount of weight, and it has much better fuel economy than before. However, there are some important aspects to look at between the new Blazer’s trims. Out of its 6 trims, there are four trims that sound very similar. They are the L, 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trims. All those “L’s” can get confusing. If you have a 1LT and your friend has a 3LT, what exactly makes your two Blazers different? What is an L trim versus a 2LT trim? We’re going to explain the differences by taking a closer look at each four trims and seeing what they have to offer.
The L Trim
This base trim comes with the least amount of features, just like any other lower-level trim would. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t still impressive. Its color options include Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, and Black, and its standard 18-inch silver wheels go well with each exterior color option. It has a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and it can get up to 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
This base trim also comes with several safety features, including Teen Driver, StabiliTrak – which is Chevy’s stability control system, a tire pressure monitoring system, and available OnStar. In addition to this, the L trim Blazer comes with a 4G LTE hotspot, active noise cancellation, and an air filtration system. Bluetooth, phone charging ports, an Infotainment system, Chevrolet Connect, keyless open and start, power doors and windows, and even umbrella holders are also available. Convenience and entertainment are still abundant in the L trim, so don’t let its low tier level fool you. The L trim is great for casual SUV drivers who don’t need high-end luxury features.
The 1LT Trim
The 1LT really steps up the customization game. It comes with 10 color options, which include Red hot, Pewter Metallic, Iron Gray Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic, and premium Cayenne Orange, Cherry Red, and Iridescent Pearl options for an additional price. It also comes with standard 18-inch silver wheels, but you can opt for 18-inch gloss black with black center caps and a logo, or go really wild by getting 20-inch gloss black or chrome wheels for an additional cost. Now, there are some new packages available, including the Exterior Decal Package, the Black Grille Bar Package, the Midnight/Sport Edition package, the Black Accent Package, and much more. The base L trim doesn’t come with any packages, whereas this one comes with up to 13 package options.
The 1LT trim is almost exactly the same as the L trim when it comes to standard features, though. It even has the same standard engine as the L trim. Additionally, its standard equipment is almost identical. However, it does offer several more available features, such as a universal home remote, a storage optimization package, the sport package, remote start, an added rear-seat Infotainment system with an included DVD player. You can also get safety assets like rear cross traffic alert, lane change and blind zone alert, and a rear backup camera. It also includes options for added luxuries such as heated seats and an automatic dimming rearview mirror. The 1LT is a good option if you’re looking to sport up your Blazer.
The 2LT Trim
The 2LT trim comes with the same exterior color options as the 1LT trim. It also has all of the same wheel options, with an additional 20-inch gloss black with a red accent. This is part of the 2LT’s unique package: the Redline Edition. This special package comes with red and black accented add-ons such as wheels, decals, and badges, for example. This package is perfect for those who want to embrace the sportier look of an SUV.
Despite its minor exterior add-ons, the 2LT does come with a lot more standard tech and safety feature options. This includes Chevy Assist, which comes with automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and a following distance indicator. You’ll also have lane keep assist with lane departure warning, which sends alerts and automatically guides the driver when unwarranted lane drifting occurs. Plus, you will have IntelliBeam headlights that will automatically switch between high and low beams based on the circumstances.
The 2LT actually has a smaller standard engine, landing it with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Don’t be fooled, though. This engine is turbocharged and will net you 277 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This trim also offers a larger 3.6-liter V6 option if you want that extra boost of power with 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.
The 3LT Trim
Finally, we’re at the 3LT trim, which is the top-tier out of these four trims. You should note that there are two higher-level trims (RS and Premier), but for our “L” comparison, the 3LT is the top. Again, there are no color differences on this trim from the previous two. It comes with the same exterior options as the 1LT and the 2LT. Not only does the 3LT include the aforementioned tire options, but it also has an additional 20-inch bright silver aluminum wheels option. The 18-inch silver aluminum wheels are still the standard, though. Its roof-mounted side rails are standard rather than options, and it also comes with heated, powered auto-dimming exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators and a programmable power liftgate.
Its interior comes with better standard features, like heated driver and passenger seats, an inside rear view dimming mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating, remote start, and a universal home remote. Its safety features are also standard rather than optional, giving it an advantage over the other trims. It comes with all the 2LTs safety features included in its original cost. Like the 2LT, this model also comes with either a 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engine, providing a 4-cylinder and a V6 option. As expected, the 3LT trim comes with the best assets and customization features.
What Does This Mean?
Different trim levels mean different things depending on the model and brand. While most trims get better as they get higher, that’s not always the case. Some higher trim vehicles may come with fewer color options, which may be a dealbreaker for some drivers. However, in the 2021 Chevy Blazer’s case, the features really do get better with each trim. The L trim comes with anything you’ll need, while the 3LT trim comes with anything you could want.
Some base-level trims aren’t worth it, and it’s best to move up a trim or two, but that’s not necessarily the case for the Chevy Blazer. The base trim includes basic entertainment and convenience features, OnStar, Teen Driver, and your most popular basic color options. That said, each of the higher trims gives drivers something to brag about. However, if you don’t see everything you want within these trim options, there are still two more trims in the line: the RS and Premier. With all of these choices, you are bound to find a 2021 Chevy Blazer to fit your lifestyle.
