[Cavymomma5]

How is everyone’s ride in the RS with the 21” wheels? Mine seems to be a little rough, like I am swaying back and forth when I hit a bump almost like a Jeep Wrangler ride... Didn’t know if that is the nature of the beast with the 21’s or if my sway bar or shocks are not set right... ?

 

[trailblazer]

It might be the tires themselves. An increasing amount of automakers are putting on sportier tires, beyond what we'll need them for. The result is poorer ride quality. Someone I know with a Kia Stinger is actually looking to get regular all seasons tires and ditch the sportier compound.

 

[SmithR]

I believe for the Blazer the 21 inch wheels come with a lower profile tire than the 20 inch wheels for that sporty look and feel.

The specs for the 21 inch wheels are P265/45R21 while the 20 inch wheels are P235/55R20. A set of tires with a bigger profile could help with ride quality. Hopefully it's not a bigger issue with the shocks or sway bar.

 

[trailblazer]

Chevrolet should launch a Blazer upfitted for off-road use with rugged wheels/tires. I'd love to see that.
What could sizing be like in that case?

 

[tcbracing]

How is everyone’s ride in the RS with the 21” wheels? Mine seems to be a little rough, like I am swaying back and forth when I hit a bump almost like a Jeep Wrangler ride... Didn’t know if that is the nature of the beast with the 21’s or if my sway bar or shocks are not set right... ?

I noticed that when I was in Tour Mode when we first got our RS with the 21" wheels. I would switch to Sport Mode and it went away immediately. Now that we have had it for about a month, I don't notice the difference as much.

 

[BlueOx]

Does not seem rough to me. The ride is firm, but not bouncy or jarring. However, my other vehicle is a Corvette Convertible and it feels every road imperfection.

 

[Cavymomma5]

Well I have to say, after about 500 miles my ride has improved, much smoother... What changed? I have no idea.....?

 

[Cavymomma5]

I added air to my tires....They were 32 psi loaded them up to 36 and it drives like everyone says.... Glides and takes bumps better... First vehicle I ever had (had a lot) in which the tire pressure made that much difference in the ride.

 

[bobiroc]

Glad the tire pressure helped it out. Lower profile tires seem like you feel when the pressure is off more than other tires. So far for me the ride is smooth and on dry days I find I flip my RS into AWD sport mode a lot because it definitely adds a more sporty feel that I like.

 

[trailblazer]

Quality of tire also helps and of course being a Chevy we won't get that high end of a low pro tire.

 

[SYJ215]

RS also has stiffer suspension. Not sure if everyone knows that.

 

[bobiroc]

RS also has stiffer suspension. Not sure if everyone knows that.

I prefer the stiffer sportier ride. It is one of the reasons I chose the RS over the Premium model. Well that and the sportier trim. Ever car I have ever owned had the stiffer sportier suspension.

 

[1stsfg]

Mine came with the 20’s. There is a fair amount of oversteer. Sport mode neutralizes it some. I’m now running an 18” wheel with a 60 aspect ratio for winter. It’s only 1/8” smaller overall diameter. It gives more sidewall flex with a higher breakaway point. The steering response is almost like a go cart. The only thing I’ll say about running 18’s on an RS is not all OE offsets on after market wheels are correct. The first set of Racelines on full steering lock forward and backwards at less than 10 mph and a slight incline forward, the inside barrels were hitting the knuckle housing gouging the wheels.

 

[1stsfg]

I prefer the stiffer sportier ride. It is one of the reasons I chose the RS over the Premium model. Well that and the sportier trim. Ever car I have ever owned had the stiffer sportier suspension.

The premium has the same sport mode as the RS.

 

[1stsfg]

It has everything the RS has and then some as far as mechanicals. The only difference is cosmetics.

 

[bobiroc]

The premium has the same sport mode as the RS.

Same suspension too? The dealer told me the premium had the luxury suspension that was in the buick version of that SUV which would cause a softer ride and less sporty handling.

 

[trailblazer]

I think automakers like GM just tune the components differently and make more minor changes rather than use completely new components.

 

[1stsfg]

Same suspension too? The dealer told me the premium had the luxury suspension that was in the buick version of that SUV which would cause a softer ride and less sporty handling.

I drove a Premium first then an RS. There is no difference in the active sport mode. If you look up strut/shock part numbers the RS and premium are the same.