2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Despite sharing size and price, the Defender's boxy, classic Land Rover design appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was a nod to the old LR4, with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, and a chopped tail that defined its classic truck look. Tasteful accents like the dome, faux-metal step plates, and skylights along the roof paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The vehicle was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of choices unmatched by other SUVs. However, the interior was more utilitarian, focusing on function and durability with rubber and plastic materials, exposed screws, and a basic design, which some found refreshing but others considered lacking in luxury compared to the Range Rover models.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV marked a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader roots to a modern electric SUV. Built on GM's Ultium platform, the Blazer EV shared its wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq but had a distinct design that gave it a more stretched appearance. The Blazer EV's styling, with a tall hood and boomerang-shaped taillights, provided a more aggressive look compared to its rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV launched with LT and RS trims, each offering unique styling elements, and a forthcoming SS model promised even more performance. Inside, the Blazer EV featured a distinctive interior with large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, offering a more engaging feel than its competitors. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV mostly avoided the overuse of piano-black plastic seen in other brands.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, showcasing incredible grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its Terrain Response 2 system adapted the powertrain and chassis to various surfaces, while permanent 4WD ensured stability. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with noticeable friction, body roll, and wind noise. The Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid system, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 being the least efficient at 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a range of powertrain options, including a single-motor RWD with 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and a dual-motor AWD with 288 hp and 333 lb-ft. A future SS model promised 557 hp and 648 lb-ft, with a WOW launch mode for rapid acceleration. The Blazer EV RS models provided strong acceleration, though the RWD version was somewhat traction-limited. The AWD model offered better off-the-line performance. The Blazer EV's handling was precise, but the stiff suspension compromised comfort. Regenerative braking was adjustable via a steering-wheel paddle, enhancing driver involvement.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was versatile, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered third-row seating for up to eight passengers. The Defender 130 provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 offered varying capacities. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various accessories, including off-road tires, roof racks, and a winch, making it a highly customizable vehicle.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's interior felt spacious, though headroom and legroom were similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV's cargo space was 25.5 cubic feet with the second row in place and 59.1 cubic feet with seats folded, less than the gasoline Blazer but more than the EV6. The Blazer EV lacked a frunk, unlike the Mach-E. The interior offered small-item storage, but some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen and optional 11.4-inch screen were user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. Heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors were standard. Higher trims offered additional features like a Meridian stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps. It lacked standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but offered a 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster with sharp graphics. The system included route planning and OTA updates. The Blazer EV featured a hands-free start sequence and touchscreen-based controls, though physical switches would have been preferable.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included reverse automatic braking, park assist, and Super Cruise hands-free driver assist.