The Blazer’s underpinnings deliver a respectable balance between on road smoothness and off road tenacity. Add the optional 31×10.5 in. tires if you plan regular back country excursions. For stylish urban cruising, the Blazer Xtreme is the hot ticket. This sporty 2 wheel drive features the Z87 Low Riding Sport Suspension and an aggressive appearance to match. Standard street equipment includes deep dish 5 spoke alloy wheels wrapped in low profile tires, body color lower front and side body cladding, wheel flares and grille, plus fog lamps, Xtreme badging and deep tint windows. A weight distribution hitch is included, while a sun roof and Bose Sound System are available as options. All Blazer models are powered by the Vortec 4300 V6, rated at 190 bhp and delivering 250 lb.ft of torque. It’s zippy enough for the street, but a tad shy on muscle for serious cargo hauling or towing duties. Transmissions are limited to the 4 speed automatic in LS trim, while the Xtreme comes standard with a 5 speed manual or the optional 4 speed automatic.
Updates for the 2005 model year are mostly superficial, such as new colors, an optional stripe package for the Xtreme and monotone paint on the 4 door LS. More significant improvements include flat 5 spoke alloy wheels on the 4 door, 4 wheel drive LS, a floor mounted shifter on 2 wheel drive models with the automatic transmission, and the leather interior option taken from last year’s LT.
