2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

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, new wheel designs, and the introduction of an Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package. Two-tone paint options were also available 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, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with physical controls and innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents. However, the interior had plenty of hard plastic, which felt out of place in a nearly $50,000 vehicle. The red interior accents in the RS trim, especially when paired with the Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, added a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD. The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid setup, combining the V6 with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model, with an optional $750 paint job, had an MSRP of $91,225.

The Aviator was a visually appealing three-row midsize SUV, with a design that Lincoln executed well. However, the wheel designs on our test vehicle were too plain, detracting from its overall look. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric door handles, and soft-close doors added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring trim featured a mix of high-end materials, including soft leather, padded surfaces, and a simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome detailing felt cheap, and the key fob was too large and plasticky. Despite these minor flaws, the Aviator's interior was undeniably fancy, with a rich caramel-hued leather theme contrasting against a black interior.

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. Drivers could choose between FWD and AWD, with driving modes including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. 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. This 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 could be loud and unrefined. The 20-inch wheels provided decent grip, and the steering felt good in most driving modes. However, the Blazer's performance faltered on winding roads, with the suspension struggling to maintain composure and the nine-speed automatic transmission being slow to downshift. The steering also felt artificially heavy in Sport mode. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 21 mpg rating.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and battery, producing 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated 21 miles of electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. Driving modes included Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul. During testing, the Aviator achieved 22.3 miles of electric range, with 20.8 miles purely on electricity, resulting in an equivalent of 163.4 mpg. Over a longer drive, it averaged 24.3 mpg.

The Aviator's powertrain provided plenty of power, but its response could be unpredictable, with occasional delays in acceleration. The brake pedal also exhibited inconsistent behavior due to the regenerative braking system. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with adaptive damping and Active Glide suspension, managed the SUV's weight well, providing a smooth and predictable ride. However, the Aviator wasn't particularly fun to drive, even in Excite mode, with heavy and numb steering. It excelled in providing a quiet, isolating, and smooth ride, making it ideal for highway cruising.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered reasonable comfort and utility. The RS trim featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, giving the cabin a sporty look. The steering wheel was comfortable to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. The front seats provided power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though they lacked side bolsters and thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort, with additional USB ports and a household-style power outlet.

The Blazer's back seat was wide and flat, with ample legroom and the ability to slide forward and back for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options included a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and door panel shelves and bins. Rear passengers had seatback pockets, small trays, bottle holders, and a center armrest with cupholders. 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, though these numbers were small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort, with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered exceptional comfort, though finding the perfect setting required some fiddling. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls for the panoramic sunroof's shade.

However, the Aviator's third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, making it unsuitable for adults. The power-release second-row seats didn't slide forward much, and the third-row offered limited kneeroom and legroom. With the third-row seats in use, the Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded flat. Maximum cargo space was 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution graphics and a modern appearance. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an upgraded version offering 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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate stereo volume and tuning controls and easy-to-navigate menus.

The Blazer's enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were impressive, responding quickly and accurately to test prompts. The test vehicle also had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system, though the sound quality was mediocre. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, all useful given the Blazer's poor rear visibility.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, starting with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. However, it ran on Lincoln's outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The system had difficulty finding nearby points of interest and required specific phrasing for addresses. It also couldn't control the climate system via voice commands.

The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was spectacular, and Lincoln's use of Detroit Symphony Orchestra chimes for notifications added a touch of elegance. Smartphone-related tech included wireless charging and the Phone As A Key digital key system, allowing the use of a smartphone as the vehicle's key. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were clear and visible even with polarized sunglasses. The test vehicle also had front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, with Active Parking Assist 2.0 available for automated parking.

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 2023 Lincoln Aviator featured Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle had automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The driver aids performed well on straight highways with light traffic but struggled in curves and dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated, adding to user frustration. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.