2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was undeniably a head-turner with its Camaro-inspired design, making it appealing to those who appreciate sporty aesthetics. Available in several trim levels—2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS—the Blazer offered variety for different tastes and budgets. The RS trim, in particular, stood out with its standard V6 engine and sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system designed for improved traction on low-grip surfaces.

Stylistic changes in 2022 were minimal but noticeable, especially in the Premier version, which featured revised bumpers, bodyside trim, and redesigned wheels. Chevrolet also introduced two-tone paint options for the LT and RS trims, alongside new packages like the Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for models with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The Blazer's pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination fee. Our test vehicle, a fully loaded Blazer RS, boasted optional AWD, special paint, and several packages, bringing the total cost to $49,000. While the Blazer’s 20-inch wheels added to its macho look, the black trim around the rear bumper gave it an unfinished appearance, akin to a plastic tongue.

Inside, the Blazer mirrored its sporty exterior with Camaro-inspired elements like temperature-adjustable air vents and an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use controls. While its interior had plenty of hard plastic, the Cherry Red Tintcoat paint combined with matching red interior accents added a layer of sophistication that somewhat compensated for its otherwise modest material quality.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue took a more conservative route with its design, focusing on functionality and rugged appeal. The Rogue was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. For 2023, the Rogue lineup included new premium packages for the SV, SL, and Platinum trims, as well as a special Midnight Edition package for the SV.

Our test vehicle arrived in the high-end Platinum trim with options like AWD, two-tone paint, and an extensive list of luxurious add-ons. This elevated its price to $43,100, thrusting it into near-luxury territory. The Rogue Platinum featured diamond-patterned leather seats and offered an unexpectedly premium finish, especially for a vehicle in this segment.

The interior layout for the Rogue prioritized user-friendly design and comfort. The rear doors opened to almost a 90-degree angle, making it easy to loading kids or cargo. Despite some gripes like the awkwardly designed remote keyless entry fob and the bubbly, uncomfortable rear seat cushions, the Rogue's cabin was spacious and practical, with good visibility offered by large side mirrors.

The performance characteristics of the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer and the 2023 Nissan Rogue highlighted their different target audiences and driving experiences.

The 2022 Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, powered either the front or all four wheels and offered multiple driving modes like Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. For those craving more power, the RS trim provided a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine, also paired with a nine-speed automatic, included an advanced dual-clutch AWD system exclusive to the RS.

In terms of driving dynamics, the Blazer RS felt sportier and more responsive, particularly in urban settings. However, its performance became less enjoyable on winding roads, where the suspension struggled to keep the SUV settled. Fuel efficiency wasn’t its strong suit either. The Blazer RS AWD averaged 20.5 mpg on the testing loop, below the EPA’s 21 mpg estimate.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, redesigned for the 2021 model year, had its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine replaced with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine in 2022. This engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue aimed for a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. It offered driving modes like Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD models.

While the Rogue’s new powertrain was more responsive than its predecessor, it struggled with passing power on the highway. The engine's unique characteristics, such as its unusual noise and vibrations, might have detracted from its appeal. Nevertheless, the Rogue achieved respectable fuel economy, although it slightly underperformed its EPA rating, averaging 28.9 mpg on the testing loop compared to the expected 31 mpg.

The Rogue’s suspension setup provided a comfortable ride over various road conditions but lacked the dynamic handling prowess promised by SUVs like the Blazer RS. Its steering also felt lifeless, albeit predictable, contributing to a stable yet uninspiring driving experience.

Both the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer and the 2023 Nissan Rogue were designed to offer practical utility with respective touches of comfort and style.

The Blazer’s interior offered functional appeal, with black leather upholstery accented with red stitching, making it visually sporty. Front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, but they lacked sufficient thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, with rear air vents and USB ports adding to passenger comfort.

Storage was a strong suit for the Blazer, featuring a large glove compartment, a spacious center console bin, and door panel shelves. The rear seat was also adjustable, enhancing either cargo space or passenger legroom as needed. However, the Blazer’s cargo capacity was somewhat limited, offering 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 64.2 cubic feet with the seat folded down, smaller than many midsize SUVs.

In comparison, the Nissan Rogue excelled as a family-oriented SUV replacement for traditional midsize cars. Its Platinum trim featured luxurious amenities like the triple-zone climate control system, panoramic sunroof, and semi-aniline leather seats, although it lacked ventilated front seats—an odd omission for its price bracket. The rear-seat comfort fell short, with low-mounted cushions and rigid pleats, but the space and features like rear climate controls and window shades were ample.

The Rogue's storage solutions were well thought-out, though unlined compartments could cause noise. Its hands-free power liftgate led to a cargo area offering 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing the Blazer. Underfloor storage and Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide system added versatility in configuring the cargo space.

The technological offerings of the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer and the 2023 Nissan Rogue were marks of their attention to modern consumer needs, though they differed in execution.

The Blazer’s infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and user-friendly menus. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, with options for satellite radio, enhanced voice recognition, and a navigation system. Wireless smartphone charging and a premium Bose audio system were available, although the audio quality was subpar.

A wide array of driver assists was included, such as rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view system, and a rear camera mirror. These features were crucial given the Blazer’s limited rear visibility, ensuring a safer driving experience.

For the 2023 Rogue, Nissan offered an older infotainment system on an 8 or 9-inch touchscreen, combined with physical knobs for easy control. The higher trims got additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, satellite radio, and a decent Bose audio system. New for 2023, Alexa Built-in was supposedly standard, though our test vehicle's poor voice recognition performance left much to be desired.

The Rogue presented advanced tech like a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display, which worked well despite inclement weather during testing. These advanced visual aids enhanced the driving experience, delivering critical information transparently.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured standard Chevy Safety Assist, encompassing forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional available safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat enhanced the Blazer’s safety profile. Nonetheless, its headlight performance fell short, preventing it from earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Nissan Rogue came with Safety Shield 360, providing comprehensive safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims and those with NissanConnect services benefited from ProPilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Despite some initial activation issues, ProPilot Assist worked smoothly during testing, adding to the Rogue’s safety credentials. Impressively, the Rogue earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, setting it apart as a safety leader.