The Chevrolet Blazer made a comeback in 2019, marking its return to the market as a stylish and versatile SUV. For prospective buyers considering the 2020 Blazer, safety is a paramount concern. This comprehensive guide delves into the safety ratings of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, providing a detailed analysis of its performance in various crash tests and safety evaluations. We’ll break down the results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), offering insights into how this vehicle protects its occupants in different collision scenarios.
The original safety assessment of the 2020 Blazer includes a range of rigorous tests, each designed to evaluate specific aspects of vehicle safety. These tests are crucial for understanding the 2020 Blazer‘s crashworthiness and its ability to mitigate injuries in real-world accidents. Let’s examine the results across different categories to give you a clear picture of the 2020 Blazer‘s safety profile.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test is one of the more challenging evaluations, simulating a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. This test is particularly demanding on the vehicle’s structure and safety systems. For the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer tested, which was a 4-door 4wd model, the results are as follows:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2020 Blazer achieved a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in the driver-side small overlap front test. This indicates robust structural integrity and effective occupant protection in this type of severe frontal crash.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, demonstrating vehicle deformation.
The structural performance of the 2020 Blazer in this test was commendable, earning a “Good” rating for structure and safety cage. Crucially, all driver injury measures were also rated “Good”, meaning low risk of significant injuries to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot in a similar real-world crash. The driver restraints and airbag systems also performed as intended, contributing to the “Good” rating.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer driver-side small overlap test, showing excellent maintenance of survival space.
The post-test analysis of the dummy’s position within the 2020 Blazer further supports the “Good” rating. The dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel indicated that the driver’s survival space was exceptionally well maintained. This is a critical factor in preventing serious injuries in a crash.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk for the driver in the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer driver-side small overlap crash test, indicating very low risk.
The assessment of leg and foot injury risks for the driver was also very positive. The maintained driver’s space and the performance of the 2020 Blazer‘s safety systems contributed to a very low risk of injuries to the legs and feet, as indicated by the test measurements.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, protecting the driver’s head.
The frontal and side curtain airbags in the 2020 Blazer worked effectively together during the test. They successfully prevented the dummy’s head from making dangerous contact with any rigid structures or external objects that could cause injury. This coordinated airbag performance is a key element of the 2020 Blazer‘s overall safety design.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap front test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates protection for the front passenger. The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer Premiere 4-door 4wd model was assessed for this test, with General Motors providing test data to IIHS.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2020 Blazer again achieved an overall “Good” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. While the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, all passenger and driver injury measures were rated “Good”. This indicates a slightly lower level of structural performance on the passenger side compared to the driver side, but still providing good protection against injuries for occupants in this type of crash.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front crash test is a more traditional frontal crash test, involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end in the impact. The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer Premier 4-door 4wd was tested for this evaluation, with ratings applying to 2020-25 models.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
In the moderate overlap front test, the 2020 Blazer maintained its “Good” overall rating. The structure and safety cage again performed well, earning a “Good” rating. Driver injury measures were predominantly “Good”, with the exception of the right leg/foot area, which was rated “Acceptable”. This suggests a slightly higher risk of injury to the right lower extremities in a moderate overlap frontal collision compared to other body regions.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The side impact test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision. The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer Premier 4-door 4wd was used for this test, with ratings applicable to 2020-25 models.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
The 2020 Blazer demonstrated excellent side impact protection, achieving a “Good” rating in all categories for both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as for structure and safety cage and head protection. This comprehensive “Good” performance in the side crash test highlights the 2020 Blazer‘s ability to safeguard occupants in side impact scenarios.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the structural integrity of the vehicle’s roof in a rollover scenario. The 2020 Chevrolet Blazer RS 4-door 4wd was tested for roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,300 lbs |
| Peak force | 20,696 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.81 |
The 2020 Blazer earned a “Good” rating in the roof strength test. The strength-to-weight ratio of 4.81 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, indicating that the roof is more than capable of withstanding forces in a rollover crash, providing good protection for occupants.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
The evaluation of head restraints and seats focuses on preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2020 Blazer with power leatherette seats was assessed.
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The 2020 Blazer received a “Good” rating for head restraints & seats. Both the dynamic performance of the head restraints in preventing whiplash and the seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good”. This signifies that the 2020 Blazer is designed to effectively minimize the risk of neck injuries in rear-impact collisions.
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is an important safety aspect, particularly for nighttime driving. The IIHS evaluates headlights for visibility and glare. The 2020 Blazer has multiple headlight configurations, and the ratings vary.
For the RS and Premier trims equipped with the Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II with LEDs package, the headlights received a “Marginal” (M) rating. While offering good visibility on straightaways, performance on curves was rated as fair, and some glare was noted.
For the RS and Premier trims with Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II package (HID projector headlights), and for all other trims (L, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS, Premier) with HID projector headlights, the headlight rating is “Poor” (P). These headlights exhibited excessive glare and inadequate visibility in high beams, especially on curves.
This variation in headlight ratings highlights the importance of considering trim levels and optional packages when evaluating the 2020 Blazer‘s safety features. The LED projector headlights are rated “Marginal,” while the HID projector headlights are rated “Poor.”
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. The 2020 Blazer offers optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Alert as part of the Driver Confidence II package.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision Avoided |
With the optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking system, the 2020 Blazer achieved a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets the criteria for forward collision warning. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the 2020 Blazer‘s optional active safety technologies in preventing or mitigating frontal collisions with other vehicles.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection systems are increasingly important for urban safety. The 2020 Blazer offers optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking.
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Crossing child (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing child (25 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 18 mph |
| Crossing adult (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel adult (37 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 17 mph, warning issued |
The 2020 Blazer with optional front pedestrian braking achieved an “Advanced” rating for daytime pedestrian front crash prevention. The system avoided collisions in most scenarios, including crossing child and adult scenarios at lower speeds and parallel adult scenarios. In higher speed tests where collisions were not fully avoided, the system significantly reduced impact speed. This “Advanced” rating reflects a good level of pedestrian protection from the 2020 Blazer‘s optional safety systems.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease the installation of child safety seats, contributing to child passenger safety. The 2020 Blazer was evaluated for LATCH system usability.
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
|---|
The 2020 Blazer‘s LATCH system received an “Acceptable” rating. It has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor. While the system is functional, the “Acceptable” rating suggests there might be some aspects that are not as user-friendly as “Good” rated systems, such as anchor location or ease of access.
Conclusion: 2020 Blazer Safety Performance
Overall, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer demonstrates a strong safety performance in crash tests conducted by IIHS. It achieved “Good” ratings in most crashworthiness evaluations, including small overlap front (driver and passenger side), moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. The optional front crash prevention systems for both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian scenarios are rated “Superior” and “Advanced” respectively, showcasing the availability of effective active safety technologies.
However, prospective buyers should be aware of the “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings, depending on the trim and headlight type. When considering a 2020 Blazer, it’s advisable to check the specific headlight configuration and consider models equipped with the LED projector headlights for better nighttime visibility compared to the HID projector options.
In summary, the 2020 Blazer is a safe SUV choice, especially when equipped with optional front crash prevention features. While headlight performance is an area for potential improvement, the vehicle provides robust crash protection and occupant safety based on IIHS evaluations. For families and safety-conscious drivers, the 2020 Blazer offers a reassuring level of protection on the road.
