Chevrolet Blazer

Little changed since its 1995 redesign, the long-running Blazer lags behind more-modern sport-utilities in virtually every respect. Emergency handling is poor, the ride is stiff and jiggly, fit and finish are subpar, and the rear seats are uncomfortable. The 4.3-liter-V6 engine feels lively, but fuel economy is poor even by the paltry standards of the class. The Blazer also received a "poor" rating in an insurance-industry offset crash test, a finding that further reduces its appeal. The superficially sporty Xtreme model is a two-door, rear-drive version. The newer TrailBlazer has effectively demoted the Blazer to entry-level status.