2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s design remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior quality didn’t match the exterior’s bold statement.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a more contemporary and sporty design. Available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels, the Blazer featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the RS trim boasting a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system. The 2022 model saw minor updates, including revised bumper and bodyside trim for the Premier version, a new Enhanced Convenience Package, and a Trailering Package for models with the turbocharged engine. Two-tone paint options were also introduced for the LT and RS trims. The Blazer’s Camaro-inspired design was visually appealing, especially with 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer’s design echoed the Camaro, with an 8-inch touchscreen, large round air vents, and easy-to-use controls. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the red interior accents in the RS trim added a touch of sophistication.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, taking 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The braking system also demanded advanced planning, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. An optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Blazer RS came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic. The V6 engine, available on the 3LT and Premier trims, provided satisfying acceleration but was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS’s dual-clutch AWD system improved responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer’s driving experience was firm and sporty, with decent grip and capable brakes. However, the suspension struggled on back roads, and the nine-speed automatic was slow to downshift in Sport mode. The steering also felt artificially heavy in Sport mode. The Blazer’s fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 20.5 mpg in combined driving. Overall, the Blazer’s performance was adequate for typical driving situations but fell short of delivering a truly dynamic driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, created a bus-like driving feel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers, but the third row was best suited for children. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the second-row seats. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a more modern and comfortable interior. The RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, adding a sporty touch. The steering wheel was comfortable to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. Both front seats provided power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, with rear air vents and USB ports for rear passengers. The back seat was spacious, sliding forward and back to adjust cargo or passenger space. Storage space was impressive, with a large glove compartment, a spacious center bin, and various shelves and bins in the door panels. The Blazer’s cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly smaller than other midsize SUVs but still practical.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system was basic, with outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. The available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was a notable upgrade, but overall, the GX’s tech offerings were minimal for a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display, high-resolution graphics, and modern design. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation with enhanced voice recognition. Connected services like OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were available, though trial periods were short. The Blazer’s infotainment system, shared with the Camaro, was easy to use, with separate controls for volume, tuning, and climate settings. The enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were fast and accurate. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, all contributing to a well-rounded tech package.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional standard features included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety 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 were effective and user-friendly, contributing to a safer driving experience. However, the IIHS did not award the Blazer a “Top Safety Pick” rating due to its headlight performance.