2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer had a sleek, road-car-inspired design, featuring a low roofline and leaned-back front and rear pillars. Its big grille, framed by stacked headlights, and tall ride height gave it the visual weight of a proper SUV. 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 with twisted, filament-like elements, tweaked grille and LED headlight designs, and new wheel options. The interior boasted a sportier aesthetic with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car. Higher trim levels offered leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control, with the Blazer RS featuring blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a total height of 74.2 inches. The front end looked ready to conquer the road, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was engineered for off-road capability. The interior, however, was marred by a disappointing amount of plastic material, though it did feature luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous 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 featured 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 standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The AWD system required manual engagement, which was less convenient than some rivals' automatic systems. The V6-powered Blazer RS felt quick and had a sporty exhaust note, but its considerable weight and top-heavy design impacted handling. The Blazer's 4,500-pound towing capacity was competitive for its class.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 delivered a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX's 6,500-pound towing capacity was respectable but fell behind some competitors. Fuel economy was a weak point, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight affected its handling, but its roll was predictable and controllable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system made it capable off-road, with additional features like downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System enhancing its off-road prowess.

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. Rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer provided 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. Despite the numbers, the Blazer felt spacious from behind the wheel and was easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Functional interior details included well-placed USB ports and intuitive climate control adjustments.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a phone space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, sticking with older USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. The third row was tight and best suited for emergencies. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded, less than a Toyota RAV4.

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. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a user-friendly menu layout. The optional 360-degree camera system lacked a dedicated button, which was a minor inconvenience.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, with integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as competitors. The GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The Off-Road Package added features like a multi-terrain monitor and crawl control.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control was available on the 2LT and 3LT trims, and other optional 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 Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date, providing a good level of protection.