2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was a highly sought-after vehicle. It returned with two new top-tier models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Despite its rugged design, the Bronco offered a choice between two-door or four-door body styles, four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines, and a removable roof with soft- or hard-top options.

Inside, the Bronco maintained its utilitarian theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and floor drain plugs. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its rugged appearance, the Bronco included advanced technology such as a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and a full complement of cameras. The 2022 Ford Bronco combined off-road prowess with modern technology, making it a versatile and appealing choice for many buyers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer, in contrast, adopted a sleek, road-car-inspired design with a low roofline and a big grille framed by stacked headlights. The Blazer RS test vehicle featured blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a striking mainstream crossover. For 2023, the Blazer received minor styling updates, including new taillights, grille, and LED headlights. The interior had a sportier aesthetic, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car. Cloth seats were standard, but higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The Blazer's interior was well-appointed, with blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme in the RS model. The material quality was impressive, especially in the high-end Blazer RS. The Blazer's design focused on providing a sporty and stylish experience, both inside and out, while maintaining the practicality expected from a midsize crossover.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was mandatory for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, with the Everglades model excelling in challenging terrains like deep-rutted muddy trails, deep water crossings, and steep rock climbs.

The Bronco's on-road performance was equally commendable, with precise steering and a smooth ride quality that set it apart from rivals like the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco's ability to track straight on highways and its reduced driver fatigue made it a better road trip companion. The only minor complaint was the wind noise on the highway, but it was not intrusive enough to be a significant issue.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year. Most models featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and optional 3LT and Premier trims came with a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some rivals that automatically switched between FWD and AWD.

The V6-powered Blazer RS felt quick and had a sporty exhaust note, but it was not a performance SUV. Its weight and top-heavy design affected handling, but the Blazer remained a pleasant highway cruiser with standard Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's AWD system, suspension, and tires were designed for pavement rather than off-road use, and its 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity was competitive for its class.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. Headroom was abundant, even for tall passengers, and there was plenty of legroom and lateral space. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps helped. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded. Clever storage solutions and accessories, such as stowable doors and removable fender flares, enhanced the Bronco's utility.

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, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than some competitors. The Blazer provided 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was less than most rivals. Despite the numbers, the Blazer felt spacious and easy to maneuver, with functional interior details like USB port placement and temperature controls integrated into the air vents.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes allowed drivers to select drivetrain and chassis settings optimized for specific terrains, while the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence in navigating obstacles. The Sync 4 infotainment system featured quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The infotainment system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The Blazer's tech presentation was modern and user-friendly, with an intuitive menu layout and a large touchscreen.

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its highest score of "Good" in most categories.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer's standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control was available on more trims for 2023. Optional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM's Teen Driver monitoring system. The Blazer received high safety ratings, with the IIHS giving it top marks in most categories and the NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall rating.