2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart. It was designed as a unibody crossover with a focus on everyday driving, yet ready for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for better approach angles. Its design was tailored for trail driving, with minimal adornments to avoid snagging on obstacles. The vehicle's name was boldly displayed on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate.

The Bronco Sport's interior was rugged yet tastefully designed, with a unique shape for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, with options for heated and power-adjustable seats. The vehicle offered practical storage solutions, including a rotary gear selector and multiple storage cubbies. The Bronco Sport catered to active lifestyles with features like a rubberized cargo floor and a variety of wheel and tire options across its trim levels.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in several trim levels, with the RS model featuring a V6 engine and a sophisticated AWD system. The Blazer's design was inspired by the Camaro, with a sporty appearance enhanced by 20-inch wheels. However, some design elements, like the black trim on the rear bumper, gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer echoed the Camaro's design with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative climate controls. The interior featured hard plastics, but the RS model's red accents added a touch of sophistication.

The Blazer's interior was comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control. The rear seats offered ample space and could slide to adjust cargo or passenger space. Storage was plentiful, with large compartments and bins throughout the cabin. The Blazer's cargo area was accessible via a power liftgate, revealing a 30.5 cubic-foot space, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its sporty promise, the Blazer's driving dynamics were less impressive, with a firm ride and slow transmission response in Sport mode.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a competent commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS model featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, offering better acceleration and towing capacity. The Blazer's driving modes included Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul, with the RS model's AWD system providing improved traction. While the Blazer RS felt sporty in urban settings, its performance on winding roads was less satisfying, with a bouncy suspension and slow transmission response. The Blazer's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 20.5 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering features like a cargo space that could accommodate two 27.5-inch mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for outdoor activities. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle could tow up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage, though visibility was a concern for taller drivers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior was comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control. The rear seats were spacious and could slide to adjust cargo or passenger space. Storage was abundant, with large compartments and bins throughout the cabin. The Blazer's cargo area was accessible via a power liftgate, revealing a 30.5 cubic-foot space, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its sporty promise, the Blazer's driving dynamics were less impressive, with a firm ride and slow transmission response in Sport mode.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, with a standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims had a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The upgraded system included satellite radio and connected navigation. The Blazer offered connected services, including OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was easy to use, with separate stereo and climate controls. The Blazer also featured wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety technology included rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes. Crash-worthiness ratings were not available from IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer included Chevy Safety Assist, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. A rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver technology were standard. Available upgrades included a Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems were effective, though its headlights did not earn high ratings from IIHS.