2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered either 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, new standard wheels, and the introduction of an Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for models with the turbocharged engine. Two-tone paint options were also added for the LT and RS trims. Pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our RS test vehicle, equipped with optional AWD, extra-cost paint, and several packages, totaled $49,000.

The 2022 Blazer featured a Camaro-inspired design, both inside and out, which was visually appealing, especially with 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Camaro influence continued with an 8-inch touchscreen, physical controls, and innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents. Despite the sporty design, the interior had plenty of hard plastic, which felt out of place in a nearly $50,000 vehicle. The RS trim's red interior accents matched the exterior paint, adding a layer of sophistication.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer continued the sleek, road-car-inspired styling with a low roofline, leaned-back pillars, and a prominent grille framed by stacked headlights. The RS test vehicle featured blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and new 21-inch wheels, making it striking for a mainstream crossover. For 2023, the Blazer received minor styling updates, including new taillights with twisted filament-like elements, tweaked grille and headlight designs, and new wheel options. The color palette expanded to include Sterling Gray Metallic, Copper Bronze Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat.

Inside, the 2023 Blazer maintained a sporty aesthetic with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. Cloth seats were standard, but higher trims offered leather upholstery. All models came with dual-zone automatic climate control. The RS trim's interior featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a dark blue and black two-tone scheme. The material quality in the high-end RS model was impressive, adding to the overall appeal.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose between FWD and AWD, with driving modes including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. The RS trim featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine was optional for the 3LT and Premier trims but came with a more advanced dual-clutch AWD system in the RS. The V6 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, though it was often loud and unrefined. The 20-inch wheels provided decent grip, and the steering felt good in most modes except Sport, where it became artificially heavy. The brakes were capable, but the suspension struggled on back roads, and the nine-speed automatic was slow to downshift. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained the same powertrain options as the 2022 model. Most models featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim and optional 3LT and Premier trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some rivals that automatically switch between FWD and AWD.

Our V6-powered RS test car stayed in AWD mode most of the time to manage the power better. The V6 engine provided impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, but the Blazer's weight and top-heavy design affected handling. On the highway, the Blazer was comfortable, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension, though the 21-inch wheels impacted ride quality. The Blazer's 4,500-pound towing capacity was competitive for its class, but it was clear that the 2023 Blazer was designed more for pavement than off-roading.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was comfortable and practical for everyday driving. The RS test vehicle's black leather upholstery with red perforations looked sporty but lacked quality. The steering wheel was comfortable to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. Both front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the bottom cushions were short and lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, with rear air vents and USB ports for rear passengers.

The back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of legroom and the ability to slide forward and back for more cargo or passenger space. Storage options included a large glove compartment, a spacious center armrest bin, and door panel shelves. 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. These numbers were small for a midsize crossover SUV.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from behind the wheel. Front-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Legroom was ample in both rows. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than most competitors.

Despite the numbers, the Blazer felt spacious and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The windshield provided an unobstructed view, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. Functional details included well-placed USB ports and innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents. The Blazer's interior design and layout made it a practical and comfortable choice for everyday use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution graphics and an intuitive layout. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the upgraded system added 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 system was easy to use, with separate stereo volume and tuning controls and climate controls independent of the touchscreen.

Our 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 helpful, especially given the Blazer's poor rear visibility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging on all trims. The RS and Premier trims came with built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system's layout was similar to other Chevy crossovers, with intuitive menus and easy access to most functions. The optional 360-degree camera system lacked a dedicated button, which would have been helpful.

The 2023 Blazer's tech presentation was modern, with an optional 8-inch instrument cluster display complementing the analog gauges. The new touchscreen was among the largest in the segment, making it competitive with rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe.

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 safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, a Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The IIHS did not award the Blazer a "Top Safety Pick" rating due to its headlight performance. Our test vehicle's safety features worked well, providing smooth and effective assistance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer expanded the availability of safety features. The standard Chevy Safety Assist Package included automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control was now available on the 2LT and 3LT trims. Other optional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a 360-degree camera system, a rear camera mirror, a Safety Alert Seat, and Teen Driver monitoring.

The IIHS gave the 2023 Blazer its highest "Good" rating in all six crash-test categories and "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded the 2023 Blazer a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover testing.