2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish its signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and distinctive wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like center console with minimal controls, creating a luxurious and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sporty, Camaro-inspired design with a focus on practicality and style. The Blazer's exterior featured a bold look, especially with 20-inch wheels, though some found the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished appearance. Inside, the Blazer echoed the Camaro's design with an 8-inch touchscreen, large air vents, and straightforward controls. While the interior included hard plastics, the RS trim added sporty red accents that matched the exterior paint. The Blazer's cabin was functional, with ample storage and comfortable seating, though some found the front seats lacking in thigh support.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came with standard AWD, while the four-cylinder models had RWD with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by independent multi-link suspension and, on 3.5T models, an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T provided adequate power for most driving situations, while the 3.5T offered a smoother, more powerful experience with active noise cancellation. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was rated at 21/25/23 mpg (city/highway/combined) with RWD, and 18/23/20 mpg for the 3.5T AWD.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic. The RS trim included a dual-clutch AWD system for improved traction. The Blazer offered multiple driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. While the V6 provided satisfying acceleration, it was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer's handling was firm and sporty, though it struggled on winding roads. Fuel economy for the Blazer RS AWD was rated at 21 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower efficiency.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was spacious and comfortable, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven, though it was not available on other trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red accents in the RS trim. The front seats provided power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though some found the cushions lacking in thigh support. The Blazer's back seat was spacious and could slide to adjust cargo or passenger space. Storage was ample, with large glove compartments, center bins, and door pockets. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and user-configurable displays. Android users could use a digital key function, while Genesis Connected Services provided remote and guidance features. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a standard 12-speaker setup to a 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

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

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist were also included. The GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and an available Safety Alert Seat. The Blazer offered adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Blazer did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS due to its headlights' performance.