2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The RS trim stood out with a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system for better performance on low-traction surfaces. For 2022, the Blazer 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. Pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Blazer RS with optional AWD and several packages, totaled $49,000.

The Blazer's design drew inspiration from the Camaro, both inside and out. The 20-inch wheels enhanced its visual appeal, although the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Camaro influence was evident in the infotainment and climate control systems. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, and the innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents were a nice touch. However, the interior featured a lot of hard plastic, which was disappointing for a vehicle costing nearly $50,000. The red interior accents in the RS trim, especially when paired with the Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, added a touch of sophistication.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated for this review, was available in Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, or Nori Green Pearl. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome from the exterior, giving the SUV a sleek, monochromatic look. However, the black paint quickly showed dust and dirt, making it challenging to maintain a clean appearance. The GX's design remained largely unchanged, with the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights being the only modern touches. The interior, while updated, still retained a dated feel compared to newer models.

Despite its age, the GX's cabin quality was impressive, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet ride. The standard V8 engine provided a satisfying engine note and plenty of torque, making the GX feel more powerful than its 301 horsepower suggested. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the Premium trim, started at $60,535.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front or all four wheels. Drivers could choose from Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul driving modes. The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim's dual-clutch AWD system provided better performance on low-traction surfaces. The V6 engine could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine.

In city and highway driving, the Blazer RS felt firm and sporty, with satisfying acceleration from the V6 engine. However, the engine often sounded loud and unrefined. The 20-inch wheels provided decent grip, and the steering felt good in most driving modes. The brakes were capable, but the Blazer's suspension struggled on winding roads, and the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, and the SUV's handling was less impressive on back roads. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40% of the power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The EPA fuel economy estimate was 16 mpg in combined driving, and the GX returned 16.8 mpg on the testing loop.

The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride quality and stability, making it more agreeable to drive. The GX felt stable and secure, with minimal body motions despite its tall and narrow design. However, the slow, heavy steering made parking difficult, and the touchy brake pedal made smooth driving challenging. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, skid plates, and improved drivetrain cooling, enhancing the GX's off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a reasonably comfortable and useful interior. The RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, giving the cabin a sporty appearance. The steering wheel was pleasing to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. The front seats provided power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, but the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort, with USB ports and a household-style power outlet available.

The Blazer's back seat was wide and flat, with ample legroom and the ability to slide forward and back on tracks. Storage space was impressive, with a large glove compartment, a spacious bin under the center armrest, and various shelves and bins in the door panels. The power rear liftgate, available on most trims, revealed a 30.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. However, these numbers were small for a midsize crossover SUV.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. The GX's tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The test vehicle's seats were comfortable, with padding in all the right places. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated, with triple-zone automatic climate control available.

Entering the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings, but once inside, passengers enjoyed a tall seating position and ample legroom. The third-row seat was difficult to access and uncomfortable for adults, with limited rear crush space in case of a rear-end collision. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate made loading and unloading challenging, especially in tight spaces.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution graphics and a modern appearance. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume, tuning, and navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation. Connected services, including OnStar Safety and Security and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, were available with short trial periods.

The Blazer's infotainment system was easy to use, with separate controls for stereo volume and tuning and climate controls. The enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were fast and accurate. The test vehicle 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. These features were essential due to the Blazer's poor rear visibility.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over the previous model. The screen was easy to see and use, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface (RTI) touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation, with a CD player and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The GX's stereo controls were located at the bottom of the center control panel, below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, allowing users to see the navigation map and radio display simultaneously. The voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. For 2022, Lexus made its Intuitive Parking Assist technology standard, with front and rear parking sensors and optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

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. A rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology were also standard. 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 worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Lexus GX, being an older model, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Some modern safety technologies, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems, were not available on the GX.