2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

Ford's 2021 Explorer had a design that fit well within the brand's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. The exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages. Depending on the trim, the Explorer featured various grille designs, from black to full chrome. The six trim levels ranged from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trims, had a Camaro-inspired design that was visually appealing, especially with 20-inch wheels. The RS trim included a V6 engine and a sophisticated AWD system. The Blazer's interior featured an 8-inch touchscreen with simple controls, large round air vents, and a strip of climate buttons. However, the use of hard plastic in the cabin, especially on the upper door panels, detracted from its overall quality. The RS trim's red interior accents matched the exterior paint, adding a layer of sophistication.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim included a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine could tow up to 4,500 pounds. The Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in city and suburban driving, but its performance on back roads was less satisfying, with a suspension that bounded too much and a slow-to-downshift transmission. The Blazer's fuel economy averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. The second row provided 39 inches of legroom, slightly behind the Chevrolet Blazer. With the third row deployed, the Explorer had 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior featured black leather upholstery with red perforations in the RS trim, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of legroom and the ability to slide forward and back. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with high-resolution graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an upgraded infotainment system with satellite radio and connected navigation. The Blazer also offered wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Blazer also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, but the IIHS did not give it a "Top Safety Pick" rating due to its headlights.