2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a striking vehicle that often drew comparisons to high-end models like the Lamborghini Urus, thanks to its aggressive styling and bold design elements. Its exterior featured a wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and a distinctive front end with thin lights and a tall, black grille. The Blazer's design was further enhanced by options for customization, including various grille designs and packages like the Redline, which added unique touches such as polished black wheels with red accents. However, the interior of the Blazer was less impressive, with a low-rent feel that didn't match its exterior appeal. The cabin was predominantly black, with limited options for color and material upgrades, making it feel dated compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue maintained a more mature and sophisticated look, following its recent redesign. The exterior featured Nissan's V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof design. Inside, the Rogue offered a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a refined and detailed appearance. The center console was a standout feature, with an electronic gear selector and ample storage space. The Rogue's interior was praised for its comfort and quality, particularly in the top-of-the-line Platinum model, which showcased excellent fit and finish. Overall, the Rogue's design was both practical and stylish, appealing to those seeking a well-rounded vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered a range of engine options, but the base 2.5-liter inline-four was underpowered with 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. The more desirable choice was the 3.6-liter V6 engine available on the RS trim, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a strong performance, complemented by a sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle. However, the Blazer's transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode that detracted from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average, with 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, benefited from a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered a significant improvement over the previous model, enhancing the Rogue's performance and fuel efficiency. The Rogue achieved impressive EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided a wider range of gear ratios, improving acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension delivered a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll and good steering feel, making it a more engaging drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, facilitating easy entry and exit. However, visibility was compromised by poor sightlines, a trade-off for its sporty design. 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 featured user-friendly controls, such as movable rings around air vents for temperature adjustment, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin was equipped with numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a center console bin. Rear-seat passengers also had access to storage in the doors and seatbacks. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Rogue's interior was designed with practicality in mind, providing ample space for passengers and cargo alike.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included a "Plus" version with navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, the Blazer lacked semi-automated driving functions and proactive steering assistance.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue boasted a technology-rich interior, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with navigation, offered advanced driver-assist features, enhancing the Rogue's safety and convenience. The Rogue's Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to both front and rear doors, adding to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in 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 higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist provided Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with the 2021 model earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.