The 2021 Chevy Blazer marked the reintroduction of this iconic nameplate into the Chevrolet lineup, bringing with it modern styling and a focus on safety. For prospective buyers and automotive enthusiasts alike, understanding the safety performance of the 2021 Chevy Blazer is crucial. This comprehensive guide delves into the safety ratings and assessments conducted on the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, providing a detailed analysis based on rigorous testing standards.
2021 Chevy Blazer Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle.
The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer performed admirably in the driver-side small overlap front test, achieving a Good rating, the highest possible. Key evaluation criteria and their corresponding ratings are outlined below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G (Good) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
This “Good” rating signifies that the 2021 Chevy Blazer provides robust protection in this demanding crash scenario.
Action shot during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, demonstrating structural integrity.
The technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further support the “Good” rating. Occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, with measurements in centimeters:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left toepan | 5 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 1 |
| Upper dash | 1 |
| Lower instrument panel | 0 |
Driver injury measures were also low, indicating a minimal risk of significant injuries:
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 90 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Neck Maximum Nij | 0.15 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.68 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.58 |
Dummy position after the driver-side small overlap crash test of the 2021 Chevy Blazer, illustrating well-maintained driver survival space.
The post-crash analysis of the dummy’s position reveals that the driver’s survival space was exceptionally well-maintained. The airbags and safety systems functioned effectively to protect the occupant.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk in the 2021 Chevy Blazer driver-side small overlap crash test, indicating very low risk.
Risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was assessed as very low, further confirming the protective capabilities of the 2021 Chevy Blazer in this type of collision.
Airbag deployment in the 2021 Chevy Blazer driver-side small overlap crash test, effectively protecting the head from impact.
The frontal and side curtain airbags worked in concert to prevent the head from contacting hard structures or external objects, crucial for preventing head injuries.
2021 Chevy Blazer Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Crash Test
The passenger-side small overlap front crash test mirrors the driver-side test but assesses protection for the front passenger. The 2021 Chevy Blazer also earned a Good overall rating in this evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | A (Acceptable) |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | G (Good) |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G (Good) |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G (Good) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
While the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, the passenger injury measures remained at “Good,” indicating effective occupant protection.
Technical measurements for passenger-side intrusion show slightly higher values compared to the driver-side, but still within acceptable limits:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 11 |
| Footrest | 3 |
| Right toepan | 2 |
| Center toepan | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 2 |
| Center dash | 5 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 9 |
| Upper dash | 9 |
| Right lower dash | 12 |
Passenger injury measures were consistently low:
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 90 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 18 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.5 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.59 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.59 |
Driver-side measurements are also included in the passenger-side test report for comprehensive evaluation:
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 50 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Maximum Nij | 0.45 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 16 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.5 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.3 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.31 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.27 |
2021 Chevy Blazer Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. This test represents a significant portion of real-world frontal collisions.
The 2021 Chevy Blazer achieved a Good rating in the moderate overlap front test, demonstrating effective protection in this common crash type.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | A (Acceptable) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G (Good) |
While most driver injury measures were “Good,” the right leg/foot area received an “Acceptable” rating, indicating slightly higher, but still acceptable, risk in that specific area.
Occupant compartment intrusion measurements for the driver-side in the moderate overlap test are as follows:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 3 |
| Left Footwell | 6 |
| Center Footwell | 8 |
| Right Footwell | 11 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward | -1 |
| Steering column movement Rearward | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver injury measurements were generally low, with a slight increase in right femur force:
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 136 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Neck Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 0.4 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 1.9 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.47 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.48 |
2021 Chevy Blazer Side Impact Crash Test
The side impact test assesses the protection offered to occupants in side collisions, a dangerous type of accident.
The 2021 Chevy Blazer earned a Good overall rating in the side impact test, indicating strong side impact protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Structure and safety cage | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G (Good) |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) |
| Driver head protection | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G (Good) |
| Rear passenger head protection | G (Good) |
All aspects of driver and rear passenger protection were rated “Good,” highlighting the 2021 Chevy Blazer’s comprehensive side impact safety.
Occupant compartment intrusion in the side impact test was minimal:
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -19.5 |
Driver injury measurements in the side impact test were also low:
| Driver injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 152 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 1.2 |
Rear passenger injury measures were also well-controlled:
| Passenger injury measures | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 197 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
2021 Chevy Blazer Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover accident.
The 2021 Chevy Blazer achieved a Good rating for roof strength, indicating a strong roof structure.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Curb weight | 4,300 lbs |
| Peak force | 20,696 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.81 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.81, the 2021 Chevy Blazer’s roof demonstrates significant strength relative to its weight.
2021 Chevy Blazer Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
The 2021 Chevy Blazer’s power leatherette seats and head restraints earned a Good overall rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G (Good) |
| Dynamic rating | G (Good) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G (Good) |
Technical measurements confirm the effective geometry and dynamic performance of the seats and head restraints:
| Technical measurements | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 16 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 47 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 12.5 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 55 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 39 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 549 |
2021 Chevy Blazer Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is vital for nighttime driving safety. The 2021 Chevy Blazer offers different headlight variations, with ratings ranging from Marginal to Poor depending on the trim and package.
For RS and Premier trims equipped with the Driver Confidence II package, the LED projector headlights received a Marginal overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | M (Marginal) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
While the LED projector headlights offer some advanced features like high-beam assist, they are still rated as Marginal due to limitations in visibility and some glare.
For 3LT, 2LT, RS, and Premier trims with HID projector headlights, the rating is Poor.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | P (Poor) |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
Similarly, the HID projector headlights on these trims also received a Poor rating, mainly due to excessive glare and inadequate high beam performance.
For L and 1LT trims with standard HID projector headlights (without high-beam assist), the rating is also Poor.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | P (Poor) |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
Across all headlight variations tested, the 2021 Chevy Blazer’s headlight performance is an area needing improvement.
2021 Chevy Blazer Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce or prevent vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. The 2021 Chevy Blazer offers optional systems with Superior ratings.
With the optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Alert (Driver Confidence II package), the 2021 Chevy Blazer achieves a Superior rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
| System details | Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert |
| Package Name | Driver Confidence II |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph vehicle-to-vehicle tests.
With the optional Automatic Emergency Braking (Chevy Safety Assist package), the 2021 Chevy Blazer also achieves a Superior rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
| System details | Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Package Name | Chevy Safety Assist |
This system also demonstrated collision avoidance in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
2021 Chevy Blazer Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection and prevention systems are increasingly important for urban safety. The 2021 Chevy Blazer offers optional pedestrian front crash prevention systems rated Advanced.
With the optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking (Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II package on RS and Premier trims), the 2021 Chevy Blazer is rated Advanced.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
| System details | Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking |
| Trim Lines | RS & Premier (with specific packages) |
The system avoided collisions with crossing adult and child pedestrians at 12 mph and 25 mph. In a parallel adult scenario at 37 mph, impact speed was reduced significantly.
With the optional Automatic Emergency Braking (Chevy Safety Assist package on 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier trims), the 2021 Chevy Blazer is also rated Advanced.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Advanced |
| System details | Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Trim Lines | 2LT, 3LT, RS, Premier (with Chevy Safety Assist) |
This system performed similarly, avoiding collisions in most pedestrian scenarios and significantly reducing impact speed in higher-speed parallel adult tests.
2021 Chevy Blazer Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease the installation of child safety seats. The 2021 Chevy Blazer’s LATCH system is rated Acceptable.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A (Acceptable) |
| Vehicle trim | RS (Leather seats tested) |
The 2021 Chevy Blazer has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with only a tether anchor.
| Seating Position | Tether Anchor | Lower Anchors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Available, Easy-to-find, Potentially confusing hardware | Available, Not too deep, Not too much force needed, Easy to maneuver |
| 2 | Available, Easy-to-find, Potentially confusing hardware | Not Available |
| 3 | Available, Easy-to-find, Potentially confusing hardware | Available, Not too deep, Not too much force needed, Easy to maneuver |
While rated as Acceptable, the LATCH system presents some minor usability issues, such as potentially confusing hardware and the absence of lower anchors in the center seating position.
Conclusion: 2021 Chevy Blazer Safety Performance
Overall, the 2021 Chevy Blazer demonstrates robust safety performance in crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in most categories, particularly in occupant protection. Its front crash prevention systems are rated “Superior” or “Advanced” when equipped with optional packages. However, headlight performance is an area for improvement, with “Marginal” or “Poor” ratings across different headlight types. The child seat LATCH system is rated “Acceptable” and offers reasonable usability.
For buyers prioritizing safety, the 2021 Chevy Blazer offers a strong safety profile, especially when equipped with optional safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Prospective buyers should consider the headlight ratings and ensure they select trims and packages that maximize safety features.
