2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Jeep Wrangler

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to decide between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The turbo-four and V6 engines came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with an eight-speed automatic as an upgrade. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, but multiple systems were available depending on the trim level.

The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. Options included fabric soft tops, black hardtops, body-color hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch Power-Top. The price range for the 2022 Jeep Wrangler ran from about $30,000 to $80,000, not including the destination charge.

The High Tide special edition model, based on the four-door Sport S trim, added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package, standard on the High Tide, included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, revised shock tuning, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The test vehicle also had a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, Selec-Trac full-time 4WD, and numerous option packages, bringing the MSRP to $58,845, including the $1,595 destination charge.

Jeep made a few other changes to the 2022 Wrangler, including a new air filtration system and new paint colors like Silver Zenith and High Velocity Yellow. The High Tide model looked terrific, especially with the Hydro Blue paint. The interior was basic, reflecting the Wrangler Sport S trim, but it was designed for rugged use with features like floor drain plugs.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer had a sleek profile 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 striking for a mainstream crossover. The 2023 model received small styling updates, including new taillights, tweaked grille and LED headlights, and new wheel designs. 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 leather upholstery was available on higher trims. The Blazer RS interior featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a dark blue and black two-tone scheme. The material quality was impressive for a high-end Blazer model.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option. The test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles.

Driving a Jeep Wrangler was a unique and immersive experience, with a rough-and-tumble driving feel and a high fuel consumption rate. The Wrangler's character and capabilities heightened awareness and encouraged exploration, making it a vehicle that sparked a wide range of human responses.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over powertrain options from the 2022 model year. Most models had 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 had a 3.6-liter V6 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) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Blazer RS test car, with its V6 engine, felt impressively quick and had a sporty exhaust note. However, it was not a performance SUV, and its weight and top-heavy design negatively impacted handling. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some rivals that automatically switched from FWD to AWD. The Blazer's 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity was in line with other midsize SUVs.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide’s raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring acclimation. Visibility was mixed, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights. Rear-seat passengers faced entry and exit difficulties but had agreeable accommodations once aboard. Storage was limited, with a small tray on the dashboard, a deep center console box, and a narrow glove compartment. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle. Front-seat headroom was nearly identical to rivals, while rear-seat headroom was below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, putting it behind most rivals. The Blazer felt spacious from behind the wheel, with short overhangs making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Functional details included the placement of USB ports and the twistable air vent rings for temperature control.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The standard Chevy Safety Assist Package included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Blazer RS and Premier trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with an easy-to-navigate menu sequence.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating from the IIHS for protection in the left front small overlap crash-test evaluation.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer’s standard Chevy Safety Assist Package included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control was available on the 2LT and 3LT trims. Optional safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a 360-degree camera system, and GM’s Teen Driver monitoring system. The IIHS gave the Blazer its highest “Good” rating in all six crash-test categories, and the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.