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.
If you're shopping 2022 or newer, the Tucson is a spacious, feature-loaded compact crossover that punches above its price point, more room than a RAV4, solid tech, and a hybrid option that actually delivers. The catch is the dealer lottery: some honor the 10-year warranty without drama, others turn a covered injector swap into a month-long parts-backorder nightmare. Pre-2020 models are a different story entirely, Theta II engines that burned oil, seized, and occasionally caught fire earned Hyundai its bad reputation the hard way. Stick to the current generation, confirm your local dealer isn't a disaster, and you'll get a genuinely competitive crossover. Buy used from the old era, and you're gambling on an engine grenade with a lit fuse.