The 1982 Blazer featured the first new engine that the model had seen since 1976. A 6.2-liter (379-ci) Diesel V8 was introduced in 1982. This engine is very popular today, as it is easy to convert to vegetable-oil-powered vehicle.

Other than that, few changes were made. The base engine remained a 250-ci I6 rated at 110 horsepower at 3600 rpm. The non-diesel options were a 305-ci V8 rated at 160 horsepower and a 350-ci V8 rated at 165 horsepower.

A four-speed overdrive transmission was also available for the first time in 1982.