2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in several trims: 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS. It featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) across all trims except for the RS. The RS came with a V6 engine and its AWD system boasted a sophisticated twin-clutch design for enhanced responsiveness on low-traction surfaces.

Chevrolet introduced subtle updates for the Blazer in 2022. Premier versions saw tweaks in bumper and bodyside trim along with redesigned standard wheels. New this year, the Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package were available for the turbocharged four-cylinder models, and two-tone paint options expanded to the LT and RS trims.

Blazer's pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge from Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, where it was built. The Blazer RS test vehicle came fully equipped with optional AWD, premium paint, the Enhanced Convenience Package, and the Driver Confidence II Package, bringing the total to $49,000, including the destination charge.

Boasting a design heavily inspired by the Camaro, the 2022 Blazer was visually appealing. The key to its style was getting one with 20-inch wheels, which significantly enhanced its looks. However, one design quirk was the black trim extending from the lower rear bumper into the liftgate’s bottom, which gave it an unfinished appearance reminiscent of a "plastic tongue" or a "fat lip."

Inside, the Camaro’s influence was evident in the infotainment and climate control systems. The Blazer had an 8-inch touchscreen with simple physical controls beneath it and large round center air vents with innovative temperature adjustment rings. Though easy-to-use and visually appealing, the interior featured hard plastics that detracted from the upscale feel, especially at the $50,000 price point.

One appealing feature of the Blazer RS was the color-matched red interior accents, such as exposed stitching, air vent trim, and piping on the perforated leather seats, which added a layer of sophistication.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered eight distinct models, with prices starting at $33,745 and going up to $54,495, not including a $1,495 destination charge. The 2022 lineup introduced the new Explorer ST-Line, adding a sporty look to the popular XLT version. Meanwhile, last year's Timberline and King Ranch trims carried forward, catering to rugged and luxury preferences.

Our test vehicle, the Explorer King Ranch, came with four-wheel drive (4WD), extra-cost Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing the MSRP to $59,880, including the destination charge.

Visually, aside from specific King Ranch emblems and a few exterior touches, the top-trim Explorer looked similar to other models. It had a rear-drive platform that enabled a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and tapering greenhouse, which lent it an athletic appearance. Blacked-out roof pillars added a "floating roof" effect, a carryover look from previous generations.

Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seats with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. These seats came in chocolate brown over caramel, limiting color choice options but enhancing the upscale ranch feel. Like the Blazer, the Explorer mixed high-quality materials with a few cheaper elements despite its nearly $60,000 price tag.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission driving either the front wheels or all four. Drivers could select between Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul modes, and remote engine start was available.

The Blazer RS featured a more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine was available on the 3LT and Premier trims as well, but only the RS combined it with a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 variant also supported the same driving modes and remote start and could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine.

On the road, the V6-powered Blazer RS felt firm and sporty, with satisfying acceleration marred by occasional loud and unrefined engine sounds. Thanks to the 20-inch wheels and tires, grip was decent, and the steering felt good unless in Sport mode, which introduced an artificial heaviness. The brakes performed capably.

However, the sporty styling and power of the Blazer RS promised a level of driving dynamism it couldn’t deliver on back roads. The suspension felt bouncy, and the nine-speed automatic was slow to downshift when accelerating out of curves, particularly uphill. In Sport mode, steering felt weighted and fought the driver, detracting from the driving experience.

EPA ratings suggested a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the Blazer RS AWD, but on our testing loop in FWD mode, we averaged 20.5 mpg, likely due to heavy traffic conditions.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a broader range of powertrains. Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD or optional 4WD. This setup could tow up to 5,300 pounds and achieved up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

An efficient hybrid drivetrain, available for the Limited and optional on the Platinum, used a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing a combined 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 5,000 pounds and managing up to 27 mpg in combined driving. This hybrid setup paired with RWD or 4WD and a 10-speed automatic.

For those seeking maximum power, Ford offered a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet. This engine also paired with a 10-speed automatic and RWD or 4WD, towing up to 5,600 pounds with a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg.

Our King Ranch 4WD averaged 20.6 mpg on the testing loop, just above the official rating of 20 mpg. The twin-turbo V6 provided abundant power, rapid acceleration, and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the hybrid option, with its balanced power and efficiency, would be more suitable if it were available in the King Ranch trim.

The Explorer offered a robust and stable ride feel, whether on highways or off-road. Tackling moderate off-road terrain in the Trail setting, the King Ranch managed well with its 7.9 inches of ground clearance, though the Timberline trim offered even better off-road capabilities.

In daily driving, the Explorer King Ranch felt agile and satisfying in corners. The Explorer ST provided an even sportier experience with a High-Performance option package adding performance brakes and black 21-inch wheels.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was reasonably comfortable with a sporty-looking yet somewhat plasticky interior. The RS trim’s black leather seats with red perforations and matching accents added visual appeal. The steering wheel offered power tilt and telescopic adjustment, heating, and a solid grip, while both front seats provided power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, seat comfort was compromised by insufficient thigh support and flat design.

The dual-zone automatic climate system effectively managed cabin temperature, complemented by rear air vents and additional USB ports and a power outlet.

The back seats were similarly flat and wide, providing adequate legroom and sufficient adjustment options. The rear seats could slide forward and back to flexibly adjust cargo or passenger space.

Storage cabins were impressive, with a large glove compartment, expansive center armrest bin, and various door bins. Rear passengers had access to seatback pockets, small trays, bottle holders, and a center armrest with cupholders.

Most Blazers came with a power rear liftgate, with hands-free operation available on higher trims, though reliability of this feature was inconsistent. The Blazer boasted a 30.5 cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which was on the smaller side for midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, designed for families, offered substantial comfort in its cabin. Our King Ranch test vehicle's comprehensive equipment included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats added another layer of luxury, with drivers enjoying 14-way power adjustment and front passengers with eight-way adjustment.

The Explorer was spacious for four but offered limited third-row usability, being more suitable for children due to its cramped dimensions. The second-row seats, however, rivaled the front seats in comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience.

Storage space within the cabin was limited. The center console storage was stingy, and Ford missed opportunities for added storage on the front door armrests and dashboard. However, the wireless charging pad and phone holder were practical, albeit easy to forget a charging phone. Rear passengers had built-in cupholders in the door panels and additional ones in a shallow tray between the captain’s chairs.

The King Ranch came with a hands-free power liftgate, opening to an 18.2 cubic-foot cargo space behind the third row. With the third-row seat flattened, there was 47.9 cubic feet, expanding to 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down, considerably more practical than the Blazer.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered an intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system, making technology accessible even for less tech-savvy owners. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen with high-resolution graphics, expected modern appearance, and convenient physical controls, including power/volume knobs and tuning buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, while the upgraded system included satellite radio and connected navigation with enhanced voice recognition.

The Blazer also offered connected services like OnStar Safety and Security and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, though trial periods were short. The infotainment system, similar to the Camaro’s, was praised for its ease of use and separation of climate controls, reducing the need to fiddle with the screen while driving.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured Sync 3 infotainment in two screen sizes: an 8-inch horizontally mounted display and a 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen. The smaller screen integrated well with the dashboard; the larger screen seemed an afterthought, resembling a tablet glued to the dash.

Our test vehicle came with the full suite of Sync 3 technologies, including FordPass Connect services with remote start, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Additionally, it had wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and an impressive 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.

However, Ford's next-generation Sync 4, offering significant improvements in voice recognition and feature operation, was notably absent. As an example, simple voice commands often failed, with the system inaccurately directing to unintended destinations. Basic commands like adjusting the cabin temperature or changing the music genre were not processed effectively, highlighting the need for an upgrade.

Other tech features in the King Ranch included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0 for autonomous parking, requiring the driver’s readiness to take control. An optional rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens was available.

Every 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with standard 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 safety features included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology, monitoring teenage drivers and providing report cards.

Upgrades were available, like the Safety Alert Seat that vibrated to warn of approaching threats and adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights were also optional, though the headlights did not score high in IIHS evaluations, preventing the Blazer from earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating.

Our test Blazer, equipped with all available driving aids, demonstrated effective technology in heavy traffic, with adaptive cruise control reacting smoothly to vehicles cutting in and lane-keeping assistance performing well.

The 2022 Ford Explorer received a top honors from the IIHS with a "Top Safety Pick+" rating across all trims. However, NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, leaving some uncertainty. Nonetheless, the 2021 model's high ratings, largely carried forward, attested to its safety capability.

Every Explorer was equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, including essential features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Automatic high-beam headlights were standard too.

For enhanced safety, Co-Pilot360 Assist+ was available, adding adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist, helping stabilize the SUV during emergency maneuvers. Standard features like post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions, the latter allowing parents to monitor teenage drivers, bolstered safety credentials.

The Co-Pilot360 system worked smoothly and accurately, though it sometimes displayed insensitivity to driver hand presence on the steering wheel. When vehicles merged in moderate traffic, the SUV occasionally braked too sharply, but accelerated quickly when traffic cleared. The lane-centering assist occasionally disengaged on sharp bends, but generally performed well even on challenging routes.