2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from Volvo's boxy past, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving into the luxury class. After being sold to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, Volvo developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90. The 2022 model had a sleek, athletic profile with pronounced wheel arches and a distinctive "Thor's Hammer" LED detail in the headlights. Inside, the XC90 featured a "Scandinavian Modern" design with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trims, with the RS featuring a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system. The Blazer's design was inspired by the Camaro, with a sporty appearance enhanced by 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer had an 8-inch touchscreen display, large round air vents, and a mix of hard plastics and sporty red interior accents in the RS trim. The seats were wide and flat, accommodating larger passengers but lacking thigh support.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the T6 with a 316-hp supercharged and turbocharged version, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp. The T5 models were FWD with optional AWD, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. The T8 had an 18-mile EV range and a 66 MPGe rating. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic. The V6 could tow up to 4,500 pounds. The Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in typical driving conditions, but less so on winding roads where the suspension and transmission struggled to keep up. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for children but cramped for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a highly effective air-conditioning system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior featured black leather upholstery with red perforations in the RS trim, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of legroom and adjustable for more cargo or passenger space. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. Storage options included a large glove compartment, center bin, and door panel shelves. The power rear liftgate was hit-or-miss in operation.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was intuitive but occasionally slow to respond. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display were available. The XC90 came with a standard Harman Kardon sound system, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. USB ports and a WiFi hotspot were included, along with the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and tuning. Upgraded versions included satellite radio and connected navigation. The Blazer offered wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, and various safety features like rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. The rear camera mirror provided a 180-degree view, compensating for poor rear visibility.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer included Chevy Safety Assist with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like the Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning were available. The Blazer's advanced driving aids worked well, but it did not receive a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS due to its headlights.