2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a standard 20-inch design. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln's star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, maintaining its luxurious appeal. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, enhanced by Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display added to the vehicle's tech-savvy appeal, keeping it competitive in the screen size race. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles with various trim levels, starting at $78,405, with the Black Label trim reaching $106,530.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer embraced a sleek, road-car-inspired design with a low roofline and a big grille framed by stacked headlights. Despite its crossover styling, it retained the visual weight of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels. For 2023, the Blazer received minor styling updates, including new taillights, grille, and LED headlights. The interior boasted a sportier aesthetic with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The Blazer RS featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme, impressing with its material quality.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview technology, provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator effortlessly handled snowy and muddy conditions, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator 4WD achieved an average fuel economy of 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Blazer RS test vehicle, equipped with the V6 engine, delivered impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note. However, its handling was affected by its weight and top-heavy design. The Blazer's 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity was competitive for its class, but its AWD system and suspension were more suited for pavement than off-roading.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain's chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massage functions, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator boasted generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport. While rear-seat headroom was slightly below average, the Blazer excelled in legroom. It provided 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda Passport. Despite this, the Blazer felt spacious from the driver's seat, with functional interior details like USB port placement and temperature controls integrated into the air vents.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering an intuitive interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system allowed users to customize settings and save them to a user profile. The Navigator's voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle also included a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system offered an intuitive menu layout, with standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. While the Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, it lacked a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. While the system performed well, it required driver intervention in certain situations, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer expanded its safety feature availability, with the standard Chevy Safety Assist Package including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control became available on lower trim levels, while optional features included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's advanced Super Cruise system.