2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, both externally and internally. The Passport’s dashboard layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design for the automatic transmission. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L trim added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

Chevrolet offered the 2022 Blazer in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels. All but the RS had a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD. The Blazer RS included a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system for improved responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. For 2022, the Blazer saw few changes, with Premier versions featuring revised bumper and bodyside trim and redesigned standard wheels. A new Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package were available for models with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Two-tone paint was also an option for the LT and RS trims.

Pricing for the Blazer ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The Blazer RS test vehicle, equipped with optional AWD, extra-cost paint, the Enhanced Convenience Package, and the Driver Confidence II Package, totaled $49,000. The Blazer’s design was inspired by the Camaro, featuring a sporty appearance with 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer had an 8-inch touchscreen display, large round center air vents, and plenty of hard plastic, reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS trim featured red interior accents that matched the exterior paint, adding a layer of sophistication.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard FWD or optional AWD. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The engine's stop-start system could be abrupt, but it had a switch to cancel it. The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

All 2022 Blazers had a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Blazer RS included a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, with a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 could tow up to 4,500 pounds. The Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in city and suburban driving, with decent grip from the 20-inch wheels and tires. However, the V6 engine often sounded loud and unrefined. The Blazer’s steering and brakes were capable, but the SUV’s suspension and transmission performance were less pleasing on back roads.

With the rear seats folded, the 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the second row in use, it offered up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space, plus an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position offered terrific visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console had a deep center bin and an open cargo tray below the shifter and cupholders. Both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets for storage. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, and they both reclined and slid for added comfort.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was reasonably comfortable and useful. The RS test vehicle’s black leather upholstery with red perforations looked good and lent the cabin a sporty appearance. The steering wheel had power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. Both front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the bottom cushions were too short and lacked thigh support. The Blazer had dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet. The back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of room for legs, knees, and feet, and it could slide forward and back on tracks. Storage space included a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and door panel shelves and bins. The cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

For 2021, Honda made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard on the Passport, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This was a distinct advantage over the three-row Pilot, which required moving up to at least the EX trim to get CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. The audio interface lacked a tuning dial.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer’s infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with high-resolution graphics and a modern appearance. It had a power/volume knob, tuning buttons, and easy-to-use onscreen menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The upgraded infotainment system added satellite radio and a connected navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. Connected services included an OnStar Safety and Security plan and access to a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was easy to use, with separate stereo volume and tuning functions and climate controls. The enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were fast and accurate. The Blazer also had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Available driver assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received an overall rating of five out of five stars from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most crash tests from the IIHS. However, it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use, and a second-tier "Advanced" rating for front crash prevention tech.

Chevy Safety Assist was standard on every 2022 Blazer, equipping the SUV with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Blazer also had a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety-related upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The Blazer’s advanced driving assistance systems worked exceptionally well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective lane-keeping assistance. However, the IIHS did not give the Blazer a “Top Safety Pick” rating due to its headlights.