2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more stylish and dynamic look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level added a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, giving it a rugged look. The interior featured power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control, making it comfortable and functional. The Terrain's cabin was roomy and offered numerous storage solutions, although some design choices, like the pushbutton transmission controls, were less intuitive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options: a 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower, a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 horsepower, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower. The V6 engine, available on the RS trim, provided the best performance, with a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering. However, the transmission calibration had issues, particularly in Sport mode, where it was slow to downshift. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the power of the previously available 2.0-liter turbo, the 1.5-liter engine provided adequate performance for most driving situations. The Terrain's nine-speed automatic transmission kept the SUV in the torque band, but the vehicle struggled with rapid acceleration. The Terrain AT4 offered a good ride and decent handling on pavement, but its off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip. The Terrain's fuel economy was commendable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer seated four comfortably, with low-mounted seats that made entry and exit easy. However, its poor sightlines were a drawback, mitigated somewhat by large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera systems. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. It could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and AWD configuration. The Blazer's controls were user-friendly, and the infotainment system was fast and easy to use.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of legroom and foot room. The Terrain offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.3 cubic feet with them folded. It also featured a large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat for longer items. The Terrain's numerous storage solutions and comfort-enhancing features made it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, which included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system offered navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Driver assists were standard on most trims, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose premium sound system. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, but it received a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of the review.