2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV represented a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader origins to a car-based crossover and now to an EV-specific platform. Built around the General Motors Ultium component set, the Blazer EV shared a long 121.8-inch wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq, though the Chevy's proportions made it appear more like a stretch limo. The Blazer EV's design incorporated a tall hood, a modified front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a more assertive presence compared to rival electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV was available in LT and RS trims, with distinct styling elements for each, and a forthcoming SS model promised unique features. Inside, RS and SS models featured large round air vents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and optional red leather upholstery, creating a more playful atmosphere. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV mostly avoided the piano-black plastic trend seen in other brands.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The SUV was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, offering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model, while the SE P360 provided 355 hp and 369 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 was available for early-build 2023 models but was later discontinued. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six enabled a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It was rated to tow 7,716 pounds and achieved an average of 22.3 mpg on evaluation routes. The SUV featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, feeling tall and heavy with less engaging steering. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, boasting impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and advanced off-road technologies.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain in LT and RS trims, with more variants to follow. RWD models produced 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, while AWD models delivered 288 hp and 333 lb-ft with an 85-kWh pack. A single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) option was planned for 2025, expected to be the most affordable and popular configuration. The Blazer EV SS performance model would feature a dual-motor AWD powertrain with 557 hp and 648 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in under four seconds. During testing, both RWD and AWD versions of the Blazer EV RS demonstrated strong acceleration, though the RWD model was somewhat traction-limited. The Blazer EV's handling was precise on twisty roads, but the stiff suspension compromised comfort. The steering-wheel paddle allowed for adjustable regenerative braking, enhancing driver involvement.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable armrests, heating, and ventilation. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery and 20-way power-adjustable front seats. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided good support but had a reclined angle, and rear occupants had access to sunshades, air vents, and power ports. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

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 driving position lacked the commanding feel of a traditional SUV, with high side sills and a deep dashboard. Cargo space measured 25.5 cubic feet with the second row in place and 59.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than the gasoline Blazer but more than the EV6. The Blazer EV featured a "presence activated" liftgate and ample small-item storage, though some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and unreliable voice recognition. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation, with a wireless smartphone charging pad under the infotainment screen.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps, eliminating standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster with sharp graphics. The system included built-in route planning and over-the-air software updates. The user experience was generally good, though the touchscreen's angle and placement of controls could be inconvenient. The Blazer EV also offered a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift toward a high-tech feel.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less satisfactory, with slow responses and challenges on freeway curves.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV had standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Optional features included reverse automatic braking, park assist, and the Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.