2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer shifted from the rugged look typical of most crossovers, adopting styling cues more akin to road cars. It featured a low roofline with front and rear pillars leaned back for a sleek profile, and a sizable grille framed by stacked headlights. Despite this, the Blazer still possessed the visual weight of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and robust body sides. Particularly eye-catching was the Blazer RS model with blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and new-for-2023 21-inch wheels. Small tweaks for 2023 included new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements and updated grille, LED headlights, and daytime running light designs. These changes kept the Blazer's styling fresh without being overdramatic. The interior had a sporty aesthetic, reminiscent of the Camaro, with large round air vents and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The Blazer RS's interior, in particular, included blue trim, chrome accents, and a dark blue and black two-tone scheme.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic rugged, take-no-prisoners design. The fourth-generation JL Wrangler had a boxy shape with few curves, staying true to its off-road roots. Available as a two-door or four-door Unlimited, the Wrangler offered versatility, including removable doors and the option for half doors through the Dual-Door Group. The windshield folded down for an open-air driving experience, and various top options enhanced its suitability for open-air exploring. The Wrangler featured wide fenders bearing the American flag, Jeep’s seven-slot grille, round headlights, and exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out while the rear glass lifted up for easy cargo access. The limited-edition Reign purple paint color added a unique touch to the traditional rugged look. New for 2023, the Earl color combined gray with a hint of aquamarine. The Wrangler’s interior was practical, with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, but lacked ambient lighting and luxury touches like massaging seats.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year. Most models were equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS, however, came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 generating 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, which was optional on other higher trim levels. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. However, the Blazer’s AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some rivals that automatically switched from FWD to AWD. The Blazer RS exhibited some torque steer in FWD mode but was impressively quick and had a sporty exhaust note with the V6. Despite its sportier look, the Blazer’s handling was typical for its size, with some negative impacts due to its considerable weight and top-heavy design. Its 4,500-pound towing capacity was competitive for its class.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler boasted several engine options tailored for off-road enthusiasts. Standard engines included a V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both could be paired with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. For torque lovers, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque was available. The extreme Wrangler Rubicon 392 came with a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 hp and equal torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The 392's Off-Road Plus button adjusted throttle, shift points, and traction control for different terrains. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid featured two electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery pack, providing 21 miles of all-electric range. On-road, the 392 showed some weaknesses in brakes and steering, but the other Wrangler trims had adequate brakes and less vague steering.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat midsize SUV, offering a conventional yet spacious configuration. It provided nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport, and slightly below average yet competitive rear-seat headroom. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. This was less than many rivals, such as the Honda Passport’s 41.2 cubic feet (rear seats up) and 77.7 cubic feet (seats folded), and the Nissan Murano’s 32.1 cubic feet (rear seats up) and 67 cubic feet (seats folded). Despite these numbers, the Blazer felt quite spacious with good maneuverability and functional interior features like well-placed USB ports and twist-operated air vents.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, while providing front seats that were comfortable, lacked ventilation and more advanced features. Rear seats were tighter, especially in the four-door models, and rear door access was somewhat cumbersome. In terms of large cargo space, the Wrangler lagged slightly behind its competitor, offering 72.4 cubic feet with seats folded compared to the Bronco’s slightly greater capacity. The Wrangler’s hard top could be entirely removed or just the front panels, offering different levels of open-air experience. Other tops available included the Sunrider soft top and the Sky One-Touch power soft top, each offering varying convenience levels for exposure to the outside elements.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer saw tech upgrades with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and optional wireless device charging available across all trims. The standard tech suite included a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster (upgraded to 8 inches on RS and Premier models), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Blazer RS and Premier levels also featured built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The Blazer’s infotainment system was user-friendly and intuitive, although having an actual button for the optional 360-degree camera system would have been beneficial.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s infotainment was based around a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen system, with an optional upgrade to an 8.4-inch screen. The system could appear complex initially due to the absence of hard buttons but was intuitive after some use. The Wrangler included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it didn’t overdo tech features, avoiding things like a digital key. The off-road pages provided vital information for enthusiasts, and auxiliary switches supported additional aftermarket accessories.

For safety, the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer came with the standard Chevy Safety Assist Package that included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Adaptive cruise control was newly available for 2LT and 3LT trims, previously reserved for higher trims. Optional features consisted of blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM’s Teen Driver monitoring. The Blazer received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and high marks from IIHS, although it lacked more advanced systems like GM’s Super Cruise.

Safety in the 2023 Jeep Wrangler was less comprehensive. Standard features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. More advanced safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning, were only standard on the top 392 model and optional elsewhere. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were absent. Despite these limitations, configurable safety settings were an asset. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from IIHS and a four-star frontal crash test rating from NHTSA but fared poorly in rollover testing with a three-star rating.