The Chevrolet Blazer made a comeback in 2019, and the 2021 model year continued its run as a stylish and versatile SUV. For potential buyers, safety is a paramount concern. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2021 Chevy Blazer’s safety performance based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Understanding these ratings can help you make an informed decision about whether the 2021 Blazer is the right choice for you and your family.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation of the 2021 Chevy Blazer
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or pole. This test is particularly challenging for vehicles because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures in the front of the car. The driver-side small overlap test focuses on the protection offered to the driver in such a collision.
Rating for 2021-25 Models:
The safety rating discussed here applies to Chevrolet Blazer models from 2019 to 2025, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small overlap front: driver-side | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test, which is the highest possible rating. This indicates a strong performance in protecting the driver in this type of severe frontal crash. “Good” ratings across the board in structure, safety cage, injury measures, and restraints demonstrate that the 2021 Chevy Blazer is engineered to maintain occupant survival space and minimize injury risk in a demanding crash scenario.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, demonstrating the forces involved in this demanding safety assessment for the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2021 Chevy Blazer driver-side small overlap test, illustrating excellent maintenance of the driver’s survival space.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk as very low for the driver in the 2021 Chevy Blazer after the small overlap front crash test.
Effective frontal and side curtain airbag deployment in the 2021 Chevy Blazer, crucial for head protection during a driver-side small overlap crash.
Technical Measurements for Driver-Side Small Overlap Test
The technical measurements provide a deeper dive into the structural performance and injury metrics recorded during the driver-side small overlap test of the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN2007 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 |
| Footrest (cm) | 1 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 5 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 1 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 0 |
Minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment is crucial for safety. In the 2021 Chevy Blazer driver-side small overlap test, intrusion measurements were minimal, generally around 1 cm or less, indicating a robust structure that effectively resisted deformation and maintained space for the driver.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN2007 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 90 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.15 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.68 |
| Right | 0.58 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 42 |
| Right | 44 |
The driver injury measures further support the “Good” rating. Low HIC-15 (Head Injury Criterion) and Nij (Neck Injury Criterion) values, along with minimal chest compression and femur forces, demonstrate a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in a driver-side small overlap frontal crash in the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation for the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer
While driver-side protection is essential, passenger safety is equally important. The passenger-side small overlap front crash test assesses how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar type of collision.
Rating for 2021-25 Models:
This rating also applies to the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small overlap front: passenger-side | Good |
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/thigh | Good |
| Lower leg/foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer earned another “Good” overall rating for passenger-side small overlap performance. While the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, all passenger and driver injury measures and restraint evaluations were “Good.” This indicates that while there might be some room for structural improvement on the passenger side, the 2021 Chevy Blazer still provides robust protection to both the driver and passenger in a small overlap frontal crash.
Technical Measurements for Passenger-Side Small Overlap Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Passenger Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP2023 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 5 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 9 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 9 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 12 |
Intrusion measurements are generally higher on the passenger side compared to the driver side. The higher intrusion values, particularly in the upper occupant compartment, correlate with the “Acceptable” rating for structure and safety cage. This suggests that in a passenger-side small overlap crash, there is more deformation in the structure, although it still maintains a reasonable level of protection.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP2023 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 90 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 18 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.5 |
| Right | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 2 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.59 |
| Right | 0.59 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.0 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 42 |
| Right | 28 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP2023 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 50 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 46 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.45 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 16 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.5 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 2 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.31 |
| Right | 0.27 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.0 |
| Right | 0.6 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 22 |
| Right | 39 |
Despite the “Acceptable” structural rating, injury measures for both passenger and driver dummies are low, indicating that the restraint systems and overall design of the 2021 Chevy Blazer effectively mitigate injury risks even in the passenger-side small overlap scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation of the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer
The moderate overlap front crash test represents a more common type of frontal collision, where a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end engages with the barrier. This test is less severe than the small overlap test but still crucial for evaluating frontal crash protection.
Rating for 2021-25 Models:
The rating is applicable to the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moderate overlap front: original test | Good |
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/foot, left | Good |
| Leg/foot, right | Acceptable |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer achieved a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This signifies excellent overall frontal crash protection in a more typical collision scenario. While most driver injury measures are “Good,” the “Acceptable” rating for right leg/foot injury suggests a slightly higher risk of injury to the driver’s right lower extremities in this type of crash.
Technical Measurements for Moderate Overlap Front Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1907 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left (cm) | 6 |
| Center (cm) | 8 |
| Right (cm) | 11 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Footwell intrusion measurements indicate some deformation in the footwell area. These intrusions are generally higher than in the small overlap test, as expected in a broader frontal impact, but still within acceptable limits for maintaining occupant space in the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1907 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 136 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 6 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.4 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.9 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.47 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.48 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.4 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 4.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 40 |
| Right | 69 |
Injury measures are generally low, consistent with the “Good” overall rating. However, slightly elevated femur force and foot acceleration on the right side are likely related to the “Acceptable” rating for right leg/foot injury in the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation of the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer
Side impact crashes are another significant real-world collision type. The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side impact scenario, particularly focusing on head, torso, and pelvis protection.
Rating for 2021-25 Models:
The side impact rating applies to the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Side: original test | Good |
| Overall evaluation | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer earned a “Good” rating in the side impact test, the highest possible rating. This demonstrates excellent side crash protection for both driver and rear passengers. “Good” ratings across all injury measures and head protection categories highlight the effectiveness of the 2021 Chevy Blazer‘s side structure and airbags in mitigating injury risk in side collisions.
Technical Measurements for Side Impact Test
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Test ID | VTS1908 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -19.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
The negative intrusion measurement indicates that the structural crush stopped significantly short of the driver’s seat centerline, demonstrating excellent structural integrity in the side impact test for the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1908 |
| Head HIC-15 | 152 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 30 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.25 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.47 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 1.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 16 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 176 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1908 |
| Head HIC-15 | 197 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.96 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 28 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 55 |
Low injury measures for both driver and rear passenger dummies in the side impact test further validate the “Good” rating and confirm the 2021 Chevy Blazer‘s strong side impact protection.
Roof Strength Test for the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer
Roof strength is critical in rollover accidents. The roof strength test measures how much force a vehicle’s roof can withstand before collapsing, expressed as a strength-to-weight ratio. A higher ratio indicates better roof strength.
Rating for 2021-23 Models:
The roof strength rating is applicable to the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Roof strength | Good |
| Curb weight | 4,300 lbs |
| Peak force | 20,696 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.81 |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer earned a “Good” rating for roof strength. A strength-to-weight ratio of 4.81 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, indicating that the roof of the 2021 Chevy Blazer is robust and provides excellent protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation for the 2021 Chevy Blazer
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions. The head restraints and seats evaluation assesses how well the seat and head restraint system protects against whiplash in a rear impact.
Seat type: Power leatherette seat
| Overall evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Head restraints & seats | Good |
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer received a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats, indicating effective whiplash protection. Both the dynamic performance in simulated rear-impact conditions and the geometric design of the seat and head restraint contribute to this top rating, making the 2021 Chevy Blazer a good choice for minimizing whiplash risk.
Technical Measurements for Head Restraints & Seats Test
| Seat type | Power leatherette seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 16 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 47 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 12.5 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 55 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 39 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 549 |
Technical measurements confirm the effective performance of the head restraint and seat system in the 2021 Chevy Blazer, with good geometric measurements and low neck forces recorded in the dynamic test.
Headlight Ratings for the 2021 Chevy Blazer
Visibility is a crucial factor in accident prevention, and headlight performance plays a significant role. IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility provided and glare produced. The 2021 Chevy Blazer has multiple headlight options, and ratings vary depending on the trim and package.
LED Projector Headlights (RS & Premier trims with Driver Confidence II package)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Headlights (LED Projector – RS/Premier w/ Driver Confidence II) | Marginal |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Marginal |
These LED projector headlights, available on RS and Premier trims with the Driver Confidence II package for the 2021 Chevy Blazer, received a “Marginal” rating. While low beam visibility was good on straightaways, it was only fair on curves, and some glare was noted. High beam performance was better on straightaways and gradual curves, but inadequate on sharp right curves. High-beam assist provides some compensation.
Technical Measurements for LED Projector Headlights
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Trim level(s) | – RS trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package – Premier trim equipped with Driver Confidence II package |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models | Marginal |
Low Beams Performance
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 102.5 m | 40.4% |
| Straightaway left edge | 65.1 m | 40.4% |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 63.1 m | None |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 60.4 m | None |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.0 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 47.6 m | None |
High Beams Performance
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 143.9 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 131.8 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 74.9 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 78.3 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 52.6 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 56.9 m |
HID Projector Headlights (3LT, 2LT, RS, Premier trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Headlights (HID Projector – 3LT, 2LT, RS, Premier) | Poor |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Poor |
These HID projector headlights, available on various trims of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, received a “Poor” rating. While low beam visibility was good on straightaways and fair on curves, they produced excessive glare. High beam visibility was inadequate in all scenarios. High-beam assist provides some compensation for low beam limitations.
Technical Measurements for HID Projector Headlights (3LT, 2LT, RS, Premier)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Trim level(s) | – 3LT trim – 2LT trim – RS trim – Premier trim |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating Applies to 2019-22 models | Poor |
Low Beams Performance
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 92.6 m | 192.3% |
| Straightaway left edge | 73.9 m | 192.3% |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 58.9 m | 4.6% |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 55.6 m | 26.5% |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.9 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 46.9 m | 13.9% |
High Beams Performance
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 97.1 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 91.1 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 58.8 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 58.6 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.6 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 48.0 m |
HID Projector Headlights (L & 1LT trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Headlights (HID Projector – L & 1LT) | Poor |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor |
These HID projector headlights, standard on L and 1LT trims of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, also received a “Poor” rating, similar to the other HID option. Low beams produced excessive glare, and high beam visibility was inadequate in all scenarios. These versions do not include high-beam assist.
Technical Measurements for HID Projector Headlights (L & 1LT trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Trim level(s) | – L trim – 1LT trim |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating Applies to 2019-21 models | Poor |
Low Beams Performance
| LOW BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) | Amount glare exceeded threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 92.6 m | 192.3% |
| Straightaway left edge | 73.9 m | 192.3% |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 58.9 m | 4.6% |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 55.6 m | 26.5% |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.9 m | None |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 46.9 m | 13.9% |
High Beams Performance
| HIGH BEAMS | Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux) |
|---|---|
| Straightaway right edge | 97.1 m |
| Straightaway left edge | 91.1 m |
| 250m radius right curve, right edge | 58.8 m |
| 250m radius left curve, left edge | 58.6 m |
| 150m radius right curve, right edge | 49.6 m |
| 150m radius left curve, left edge | 48.0 m |
The headlight ratings are an area where the 2021 Chevy Blazer could be improved. Prospective buyers should be aware of the “Marginal” or “Poor” headlight ratings depending on the trim and consider how much nighttime driving they typically do.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle for the 2021 Chevy Blazer
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important for mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. IIHS tests vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems at 12 mph and 25 mph.
Ratings for 2019-23 Models:
The vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention ratings are applicable to the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking (Optional)
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle (Enhanced AEB) | Superior |
| System details | |
| – Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| – Optional Forward Collision Alert | |
| Package name | |
| – Optional Driver Confidence II |
The optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking system on the 2021 Chevy Blazer earns a “Superior” rating. The system successfully avoided collisions in both the 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets requirements for forward collision warning. This system is part of the optional Driver Confidence II package.
Automatic Emergency Braking (Optional)
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle (Automatic Emergency Braking) | Superior |
| System details | |
| – Optional Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Package name | |
| – Optional Chevy Safety Assist |
Another optional Automatic Emergency Braking system, available with the Chevy Safety Assist package on the 2021 Chevy Blazer, also achieves a “Superior” rating. This system also avoided collisions in both tests and includes forward collision warning.
The “Superior” ratings for both available front crash prevention systems demonstrate the effectiveness of these technologies in the 2021 Chevy Blazer for mitigating vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision risks.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day) for the 2021 Chevy Blazer
Pedestrian detection and prevention systems are crucial for protecting vulnerable road users. IIHS tests pedestrian front crash prevention systems in daylight conditions, evaluating performance in scenarios involving a crossing child, crossing adult, and parallel adult pedestrian.
Ratings for 2019-25 Models:
The pedestrian front crash prevention ratings are applicable to the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking (Optional)
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day) (Enhanced AEB/Pedestrian Braking) | Advanced |
| System details | |
| – Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking | |
| Trim lines | |
| – RS trim equipped with Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II package | |
| – Premier trim equipped with Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II package |
The optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking system, available on specific trims of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, earns an “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention. It avoided collisions with crossing child and adult pedestrians at 12 mph and 25 mph. In the parallel adult scenario at higher speeds, it significantly reduced impact speed.
Automatic Emergency Braking (Optional)
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day) (Automatic Emergency Braking) | Advanced |
| System details | |
| – Optional Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Trim lines | |
| – 2LT trim equipped with Chevy Safety Assist package | |
| – 3LT trim equipped with Chevy Safety Assist package | |
| – RS trim equipped with Chevy Safety Assist package | |
| – Premier trim equipped with Chevy Safety Assist package |
Another optional Automatic Emergency Braking system, available on various trims of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, also received an “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention. Its performance was similar to the Enhanced system, avoiding collisions in most scenarios and significantly reducing speed in the higher-speed parallel adult test.
The “Advanced” ratings for both pedestrian front crash prevention systems highlight the 2021 Chevy Blazer‘s capability in mitigating pedestrian collision risks, though there is room for improvement to reach the “Superior” rating achieved in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Evaluation for the 2021 Chevy Blazer
Child seat anchors, also known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), are crucial for safe and easy installation of child safety seats. IIHS evaluates the ease of use of LATCH systems.
Rating for 2019-25 Models:
The LATCH ease of use rating applies to the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Blazer models, including the 2021 Chevy Blazer.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Child seat anchors (LATCH) | Acceptable |
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable |
| Vehicle trim | RS |
| Seat type | leather |
The LATCH system in the 2021 Chevy Blazer received an “Acceptable” rating. The vehicle has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor. While rated as “Acceptable,” there are some usability issues noted.
Details by Seating Position
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acceptable |
| Tether anchor | Easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | Not too deep in seat, not too much force needed to attach, easy to maneuver around anchors |
| 2 | Marginal |
| Tether anchor | Easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | None available |
| 3 | Acceptable |
| Tether anchor | Easy-to-find location, other hardware could be confused for anchor |
| Lower anchors | Not too deep in seat, not too much force needed to attach, easy to maneuver around anchors |
Positions 1 and 3 are rated “Acceptable,” while position 2 is “Marginal” due to the lack of lower anchors. Confusing hardware near the tether anchors and the lack of lower anchors in the center position are factors contributing to the “Acceptable” overall rating for the 2021 Chevy Blazer‘s LATCH system.
Technical Measurements for LATCH System
Seat position 21
| Lower anchor A | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 25 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 82 |
| Lower anchor B | Measurement |
| — | — |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 15 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 84 |
| Tether anchor | Measurement |
| — | — |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor | No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH | Not measured |
Seat position 22
| Lower anchor A | Measurement |
|---|---|
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Lower anchor B | Measurement |
| — | — |
| No lower latch for this seat position | |
| Tether anchor | Measurement |
| — | — |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor | No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH | Not measured |
Seat position 23
| Lower anchor A | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 14 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 87 |
| Lower anchor B | Measurement |
| — | — |
| Open access rated | No |
| Depth (cm) | 0-2 |
| Force (lbs) | 13 |
| Clearance angle (degrees) | 86 |
| Tether anchor | Measurement |
| — | — |
| Location | Middle seatback |
| Confusing hardware present | Yes |
| Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor | No |
| Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH | Not measured |
Conclusion: 2021 Chevy Blazer Safety Performance
The 2021 Chevy Blazer demonstrates strong safety performance in most crash tests conducted by IIHS, achieving “Good” ratings in small overlap front (driver and passenger side), moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints & seats evaluations. These ratings indicate a high level of occupant protection in various crash scenarios.
Areas for potential improvement include headlight performance, which received “Marginal” or “Poor” ratings depending on the headlight type, and LATCH system ease of use, rated as “Acceptable.” However, the 2021 Chevy Blazer offers optional “Superior” rated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems and “Advanced” rated pedestrian front crash prevention systems, enhancing its active safety capabilities.
Overall, the 2021 Chevy Blazer is a safe SUV choice, particularly excelling in crashworthiness. Prospective buyers should consider the headlight ratings and LATCH system usability alongside the strong crash test performance and available crash prevention technologies when making their purchase decision.
