2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic experience with its classic design and luxurious interior. The standard model, dressed in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery, exuded a sense of opulence. However, its exterior design, with oversized headlights and a chrome-laden two-box shape, lacked the character and flair of its Heritage Edition counterpart. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined high-quality materials with a mix of Toyota and Lexus design elements, featuring a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player, evoking a sense of time travel to a not-so-distant past.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer presented a modern and sporty aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the Camaro. The RS trim, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat and matching red interior accents, added a layer of sophistication. The Blazer's design was appealing, though the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer featured Camaro-inspired infotainment and climate control systems, with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative temperature adjustment rings. Despite the presence of hard plastics, the Blazer's interior offered a sporty and contemporary feel.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided legendary off-road capability. The Land Cruiser's Torsen limited-slip differential and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist ensured optimal performance on various terrains. Despite its nearly 3-ton weight, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, with a quiet cabin and smooth handling. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds, though its fuel economy was a modest 14.7 mpg.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower in the RS trim. The Blazer RS featured a dual-clutch AWD system, enhancing its responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. While the V6 provided satisfying acceleration, it was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer's sporty handling was best suited for city and highway driving, as its suspension struggled on winding roads. The Blazer RS could tow up to 4,500 pounds and achieved an average fuel economy of 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. Its spacious second-row bench offered heated cushions, while the third-row seat accommodated adults with limited leg support. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was versatile, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access, and the lower tailgate served as a practical seating area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior was comfortable and functional, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though they lacked thigh support. The Blazer's back seat was spacious, with sliding functionality for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment, center armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. While it lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered straightforward controls with large buttons and knobs. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, but the 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high-resolution graphics and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate stereo and climate controls. The Blazer offered enhanced voice recognition, connected navigation, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The 8-speaker Bose audio system, while not exceptional, was adequate for most users. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. With 10 airbags and a robust build, the Land Cruiser provided a sense of security, though crash-test ratings were unavailable.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and the Safety Alert Seat. The Blazer's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were effective, though its LED headlights received low ratings from the IIHS.