What year did they quit making the K5 Blazer?
The K5 Blazer was discontinued after the 1994 model year, with Chevrolet introducing the Tahoe as the full-size SUV lineup beginning in 1995.
The K5 Blazer, Chevrolet’s rugged two-door full-size SUV, remains a landmark in American automotive history. This article breaks down when the model ended and why the brand shifted its lineup, while also noting how the Blazer name lived on in other forms.
Production timeline
Here's a concise timeline for the K5 Blazer's presence in Chevrolet's lineup.
- 1969: The K5 Blazer is introduced as Chevrolet's full-size two-door SUV, built on the same underpinnings as the Chevrolet pickup line.
- 1994: The final model year for the K5 Blazer; production ends at the close of 1994.
In short, the K5 Blazer ran from 1969 through 1994, after which Chevrolet transitioned its full-size SUV lineup to the Tahoe for the 1995 model year.
Replacement and legacy
The K5 Blazer was effectively replaced by the Chevrolet Tahoe, which debuted for the 1995 model year as Chevrolet’s flagship full-size SUV. The Blazer name did not disappear completely, however; it continued in other formats, notably the mid-size S-10 Blazer (produced from the early 1980s until the mid-2000s) and, more recently, a revived Blazer name introduced in 2019 for a mid-size crossover.
Why the name endured in different forms
Chevrolet kept the Blazer badge in circulation because of its strong brand equity in the SUV market, even as the full-size K5 Blazer was retired in favor of newer platform architectures and market trends toward unibody crossovers.
Summary
Chevrolet stopped making the full-size K5 Blazer after the 1994 model year. The Tahoe replaced it as the brand’s main full-size SUV from 1995 onward, while the Blazer name persisted in other configurations and saw a revival for mid-size crossover models in later years.
