2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a striking vehicle, often mistaken for a high-end model like the Lamborghini Urus due to its aggressive styling. Its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels contributed to its bold appearance. The Blazer's exterior design was a standout, with a low shoulder height and a short, non-stubby tail, making it memorable from every angle. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, as it was criticized for its low-rent materials and lack of support in the seats, which felt inappropriate for its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its exterior was a scaled-down version of the big Range Rover, with a sporty package that maintained the brand's signature proportions. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and wide shoulder creases, creating a streamlined yet blocky form. The interior matched the exterior's sophistication, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's fit and finish were exemplary, even in the base trim, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, with the 3.6-liter V6 on the RS trim being the most preferred, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle, provided a strong and agile driving experience. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, provided up to 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance option. The Velar's mild-hybrid system helped reduce fuel consumption and emissions, while the Terrain Response system offered six driving modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers, with seats mounted lower into the floor for easy entry and exit. However, its sightlines were poor, compensated by large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view mirror camera. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet when raised. It could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the right configuration. The Blazer's controls were simple and handy, with features like movable rings around the air vents serving as temperature dials.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet when folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control, integrated with the transmission button, which was seen as illogical and potentially dangerous. However, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, with features like a voice assistant and a heated windshield.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim added features like wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included a "Plus" version with navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Driver assists were standard on most trims, but the Blazer lacked a semi-automated function for traffic.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was reliable and user-friendly, with a simplified layout and customizable features. It included a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered intelligent features like frequent route identification and traffic detours. The Velar's instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, while the optional adaptive cruise control provided steering assist.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, with 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored five stars in the European NCAP, with a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.