2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Chevy Blazer was offered in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels, catering to a range of preferences and budgets. Most of these trims featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the option for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The standout RS trim came equipped with a V6 engine and a refined twin-clutch AWD system designed for better responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. In terms of updates for 2022, the Blazer remained largely unchanged. The Premier trim saw slight modifications in its bumper and bodyside trim design, along with redesigned wheels. Additionally, a new Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for turbo-four models were introduced, and LT and RS trims now had the option for two-tone paint. The pricing for the 2022 Blazer ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge from its manufacturing site in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. A well-equipped Blazer RS, including optional AWD, special paint, the Enhanced Convenience Package, and the Driver Confidence II Package, came in at $49,000 including the destination charge. Drawing inspiration from the Camaro, the Blazer had an undeniable visual appeal, especially when fitted with 20-inch wheels. However, the peculiar black trim extending from the rear bumper to the bottom of the liftgate could be off-putting, giving the SUV a somewhat unfinished look. Inside, Camaro influences were evident in features like the infotainment and climate control systems. The 8-inch touchscreen was straightforward, with large, round air vents that had an innovative temperature adjustment ring. However, the Blazer's heavy use of hard plastics, especially on the upper door panels of the nearly $50,000 test vehicle, gave it a less premium feel. The Blazer RS stood out when painted in Cherry Red Tintcoat, with interior accents like red stitching, air vent trim, and seat piping harmonizing with the exterior paint. This color scheme undoubtedly added a layer of sophistication to the SUV's appearance. The 2022 Lexus NX went on sale in December 2021 with four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. These models provided variations in electrification, hybrid capabilities, and performance. The trim levels included base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, with prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding a $1,075 destination charge from Cambridge, Ontario. The NX 250 and NX 350 were non-electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid and the NX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid. This comparison focuses on the turbocharged NX 350 in F Sport and Luxury trims. Design-wise, the NX maintained Lexus’s distinct spindle grille, but styling became more refined, drawing influences from the new Lexus IS sports sedan. Block lettering on the tailgate, spelling out the brand name, was a fresh detail that would be seen across future Lexus models. The redesign made the NX longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, translating to more passenger and cargo space. Most NX trims featured NuLuxe simulated leather, while the Luxury offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. A panoramic sunroof was a new addition to the NX lineup. The NX 350 F Sport had unique mesh-pattern grilles, body-color fender trims, 20-inch gloss black wheels, black mirrors, sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, a new F Sport steering wheel, and specific instrumentation with a G-force meter. The F Sport aesthetic included dark interior trims and alloy pedals and scuff plates. The minimalist interior design created a stark contrast to its predecessor, with fewer buttons and knobs. This cleanup, while effective in some areas, occasionally made navigation and usability tricky, especially with many functions embedded in the available 14-inch touchscreen. Transient symbols under bright conditions only added to the confusion. Physical controls for volume and temperature adjustment were present, which aided usability. The electronic shifter was intuitive and easy to acclimate to. Generally, material and build quality were high, but issues like the inexpensive feel of the turn signal controls were noted.

All Blazers for 2022 came equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generated 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This was coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing power to either the front or all four wheels. Various driving modes included Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul, with remote engine starting as an option. The RS trim boasted a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, paired with a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system. It offered the same driving modes and could tow up to 4,500 pounds – 1,000 pounds more than the base engine. In city, suburban, or highway driving, the Blazer RS offered a firm, sporty experience. The V6 provided satisfactory acceleration despite being loud and sometimes unrefined. While grip was decent, the steering felt good outside Sport mode; in Sport mode, it felt excessively heavy and artificial. Braking performance was reliable. However, driving on back roads revealed the Blazer’s limitations, with the suspension feeling unsettled and the nine-speed auto being slow to downshift. Sport mode added unnecessary heaviness to the steering and resistance in curves. EPA ratings suggested 21 mpg in combined driving for the AWD Blazer RS, but our testing revealed a slightly lower figure of 20.5 mpg, likely due to traffic conditions. Electrification was a significant part of Lexus’s strategy for 2022. The NX 350h hybrid delivered a combined 239 horsepower and 39 mpg according to EPA estimates. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid reached 302 horsepower, boasting a 36-mile electric-only range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation. Performance-wise, the turbocharged NX 350 utilized a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, the latter available between 1,600 and 3,600 rpm. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard AWD. The NX 250 was less powerful, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed CVT. FWD was standard, with AWD as an option. Both the NX 250 and NX 350 offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes. The F Sport trim added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, with an adaptive variable sports suspension and standard 20-inch wheels. While driving through Carefree, Arizona, the NX 350 F Sport felt composed and agile. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, a figure supported by our driving impressions. The F Sport averaged 22.2 mpg compared to the Luxury’s 25.5 mpg. The new NX improved dynamically over its predecessor, but the engine’s refinement didn’t match turbofours from German rivals. The F Sport’s ride was firmer, isolating sharper impacts better than the Luxury version. However, both models exhibited more road and wind noise than expected. Off-road potential was limited for the NX, with ground clearance capped at 7.7 inches and limited approach and departure angles.

The Blazer proved comfortable and practical for everyday use. The RS test vehicle's black leather with red accents added to its sporty look. However, the quality of the upholstery wasn’t award-winning. The Blazer’s steering wheel was pleasing with heating and power adjustments. Front seats offered power height adjustment, heating, and ventilation but lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control performed admirably with efficient air conditioning. In the rear, the seats were wide and flat, benefiting from ample legroom and adjustable positioning for added cargo flexibility. The rear included air vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. Cargo-wise, the Blazer fell short for its class. The power rear liftgate, which operated hands-free on higher trims, was inconsistent. With the rear seats up, cargo space measured 30.5 cubic feet, and folding them down expanded it to 64.2 cubic feet. The redesigned NX promised more interior space but felt cozier from the driver’s seat with the new dashboard design. Comfort continued to be a strength, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. F Sport seats offered better bolstering for spirited driving, and thoughtful padding around the driver’s legs added to comfort in curves. Rear passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, enhanced by rear air vents, heated seats, and USB ports. Storage was ample, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the rear, adding an airy feel. Cargo space saw a 14% increase over the previous model, now offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded. This still fell short compared to the Blazer, but it was a significant improvement for the NX.

The Blazer’s infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high-resolution graphics, a power/volume knob, tuning buttons, and a Home and Back button. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with additional options like satellite radio and a connected navigation system. Enhanced voice recognition and connected services, including OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, were available with short trial periods. The infotainment system was straightforward, featuring separate controls for stereo volume and climate, minimizing screen interaction once preferences were set. The Blazer RS test vehicle came with a Bose audio system, which was adequate but not exceptional. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. A rear camera mirror provided a wide-angle view, essential given the Blazer’s poor rear visibility. Lexus took a significant leap with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured large touchscreens, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based services. The outdated Remote Touch Interface touchpad was finally discarded. Standard was a 9.8-inch touchscreen, with a 14-inch upgrade option. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and connected service subscriptions for WiFi, music streaming, and Intelligent Assistant. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. The available Mark Levinson 17-speaker surround system performed impressively. Navigation with offline mode ensured reliability in areas without cellular coverage. Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems were responsive, allowing naturally spoken commands and even distinguishing between casual mentions of “Lexus.” A three-year trial for Drive Connect included cloud navigation and Intelligent Assistant functions. Other tech highlights included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for transferring settings between models. However, the larger touchscreen rapidly collected fingerprints and lacked multiple data panel views. Additionally, the absence of a tuning knob was a letdown.

Chevy Safety Assist was standard on every Blazer, covering forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear-seat reminders and Teen Driver technology were also standard, providing safety prompts and driver monitoring reports. Optional upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. LED headlights were available, but their performance did not earn the Blazer a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS due to subpar illumination. Test vehicles featured all available driving aids, which functioned smoothly even in heavy traffic, enhancing driver comfort through reliable lane-keeping and adaptive cruise controls. The NX came fully equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. New features included: - Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist: Supported evasive steering to avoid collisions. - Oncoming Vehicle Detection: Identified vehicles crossing into the NX’s path and activated emergency braking if needed. - Oncoming Pedestrian Detection: Detected pedestrians when turning and could brake if necessary. - Curve Speed Management: Adjusted speed for curves while using adaptive cruise control. The Emergency Driving Stop System halted the NX if the driver became unresponsive, potentially preventing accidents caused by medical emergencies or drowsiness. Other safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist, adaptive front lighting, and optional semi-autonomous parking assist. The Vision Package added a panoramic view monitor, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance with adaptive cruise control.