The 2019 Chevy's Blazer Impresses With Amazing Rear Camera Mirror

Torque News recently sampled the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. The new 2019 Chevy Blazer is a two-row crossover that is by far the most advanced and dynamic crossover in the Chevrolet lineup of crossovers. We tested a fully-loaded Blazer RS with an MRSP of $50,765. Although that price may seem a little steep for a Chevy crossover, we felt that the price was more than fair, particularly since the configurator deducts $2,500 automatically. What makes us think the Blazer RS is a good value is the tech that it packs. Notably, its amazing rear camera mirror.

Rear Camera Mirror - What Is It?
GM's new rear camera mirror system is exactly what it sounds like. I camera shows an image on the mirror in place of the reflected image of a standard mirror. Before you start worrying about it failing and causing any safety concerns, know that the regular mirror is still there as well. GM wisely makes the camera mirror work both ways. All you do is flip the little "dimmer tab" we all know and love and the view toggles back and forth between the reflected image and the projected camera image.

The vehicle also has a camera wash system tied to the rear window washer. That keeps the camera clear and clean.

Rear View Camera - Advantages
The projected camera image is better in every way. In daylight, the biggest advantage is filed of view. You can see a wider view and also a more inclusive view than you can using a regular reflected image. Your view out the back in a normal mirror is limited by the structure of the vehicle, the width of the glass, the height of the glass, and any obstructions like people sitting in the back or the rear headrests. With the camera, the image is of what is behind the vehicle, so it is much wider and also taller. You simply see much better.

We also noticed that the image shown in the camera is richer than what one sees with the reflected mirror. It is brighter than ambient when that is an advantage and the view just seems to pop. More importantly, you can see vehicles as they drive along side you on the highway or multi-lane roads as well as you can with the side mirrors. Frankly, those serve very little purpose when the rearview camera is operating.

One other cool feature is that you don't need to "focus" or adjust the rearview camera to the driver. You can use it flat across the windshield so the passenger can also use it. Since it is not a reflection, there is no "adjustment." That also means that when your significant other gets in to drive, there is no adjustment of the mirror required.

Watch the 2019 Chevy Blazer's Mirror Camera demonstration and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube channel for daily Chevy and automotive news analysis.

At night there is simply no comparison. The rearview camera is so much better it is ridiculous. There is no glare and the image is light-amplified, so you can see dramatically more than with a reflected mirror. Check out our top of page image for a sample of what you see. All of the images in this story are our own, not professional GM press images.

Rear Mirror Camera Conclusion
The rear camera mirror is one of the options you didn't know you needed until you try it. Anyone who tries the camera will love it. We did note that whenever we would first glance at it upon entering the vehicle, or after not having used it in a while, that our eyes would sort of snap to focus in a fraction of a second. You get used to that quickly and it was not a problem. We toggled the mirror back to reflected image a few times, but only to test it. We loved the rearview camera and feel that any reader considering it should get it. It's that good.

John Goreham can be followed on Twitter at @johngoreham.