The Chevrolet Blazer nameplate spans three completely different products: a beloved vintage 4x4 (1970s-1990s), a current gas-powered midsize crossover (2019+), and a new electric SUV (2024+). The gas Blazer suffers from systematic oil leak issues at very low mileage and underwhelming fuel economy, making it hard to recommend despite decent ride quality. The Blazer EV shows much stronger owner enthusiasm, praised for striking looks, strong performance, and spacious interior, but faces quality control problems and a shortage of EV-trained service techs. If you're considering a Blazer today, the EV version is the clear choice despite teething issues, while the gas model carries too much early-failure risk.
Honda finally built the off-road SUV it should've made years ago, boxy, capable, and $10-15k cheaper than a 4Runner while driving better on pavement. The 2026 redesign nails the look with aggressive styling and backs it up with real hardware: 8.3 inches of ground clearance, steel skid plates, and an AWD system that'll handle more trail than most owners will ever see. The naturally aspirated V6 is a proven workhorse in a segment going turbo-four. But you're paying for that capability at the pump, owners report 17-20 mpg in mixed driving, and that 19-gallon tank means gas stops every 300 miles. The 10-speed transmission is a lottery: some units shift smoothly, others buck and hunt constantly, and dealers say that's normal. If you can stomach feeding it premium and frequent fill-ups, and you value Honda's reputation over a hybrid powertrain, the Passport delivers genuine adventure capability without the 4Runner's penalty box interior or dated tech. If fuel economy matters or you want buttery-smooth power delivery, the CR-V Hybrid is sitting right there in the showroom.