2026 Chevrolet Blazer RS: Douglaston Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Blazer RS
RS tops the lineup at $43,600 before destination, and it's the only trim where two real choices open up: the standard 228-hp turbo four versus the available 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and standard AWD versus Chevy's more sophisticated Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD (which comes bundled with an AWD or V6 build). RS-standard equipment over 3LT: 20-inch wheels, Black exterior accents and badging, a gesture power liftgate, an 8-inch digital driver display, Bose audio with navigation, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting.
The only trim where the V6 is on the table
RS is it. The one place in the whole 2026 Blazer lineup where you can order the 3.6-liter V6 — 308 hp, 270 lb-ft, versus 228 hp and 258 lb-ft on the standard turbo four every other Blazer runs. Towing goes up too, from 3,250 lbs to 4,500 lbs, which matters if there's a boat or a trailer or anything heavier than a bike rack in the plan. Independent pricing sources put the V6 upcharge on RS at roughly $1,650 over the standard-engine price — worth confirming that exact number directly with East Hills Chevrolet or Chevy's Build & Price tool, since it wasn't independently re-checked against the live configurator this time around. Fuel economy takes a hit with the V6: EPA-estimated 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined on the turbo four's FWD setup, versus 19/26/22 on the V6 FWD. Real tradeoff, not a free lunch.
AWD works differently on RS too. An RS built with AWD, or any Blazer at all with the V6, gets Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD instead of the simpler system 2LT and 3LT get. Better handling response on the road, and it's exclusive to RS in this lineup — one more reason RS reads less like a styling package on top of 3LT and more like an actual different vehicle underneath.
What RS actually looks and feels like
Beyond the drivetrain, RS has its own look: RS-exclusive badging, Black exterior accents including a blacked-out grille and bowties, 20-inch wheels that are noticeably bigger than what 2LT or 3LT wear. Inside, an 8-inch digital driver display swaps out the analog gauge look, Bose premium audio with navigation upgrades the sound, a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting round out the cabin, and the liftgate goes gesture-activated instead of 3LT's programmable-but-manual version.
Frequently asked questions
Is the V6 worth it on an RS?
If towing or quicker acceleration matters, yes — 308 hp and 4,500 lbs of towing is a real step up from 228 hp and 3,250 lbs. If neither one's a priority, the standard turbo four with Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD (on an AWD RS) still gets you the RS look and equipment, minus the fuel-economy hit and the extra cost.
Does every AWD Blazer get Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD?
No, just RS. An AWD 2LT or 3LT gets Chevy's standard AWD system. Advanced Twin-Clutch AWD is RS-only, and only when it's built with AWD or the V6.
How much can a 2026 Blazer RS tow?
Up to 3,250 lbs with the standard turbo, or up to 4,500 lbs with the available V6 — same two numbers that apply anywhere the V6 shows up in this lineup, since RS is the only place it does.
See RS next to 2LT and 3LT
The clearest way to know if RS and the V6 upcharge are worth it is a side-by-side test drive at East Hills Chevrolet's inventory on Northern Boulevard. Full trim comparison's back at the 2026 Blazer overview; what an RS actually costs with New York's taxes and fees is on the pricing & leasing guide.
MSRP excludes the $1,995 destination charge, taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; pricing reflects chevrolet.com's published figures as of this writing and can move during the model year. The V6 upcharge figure is approximate and drawn from independent pricing coverage rather than Chevrolet's own configurator — confirm current pricing with East Hills Chevrolet. Fuel-economy and towing figures are manufacturer/EPA estimates; real-world results vary.