Chevrolet Blazer vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, featured a lower and wider stance, giving it a more planted appearance. The Envision's sculpted look was more pronounced than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—offered distinct looks, with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir grade added premium exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels, while the interior boasted leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated inserts and a head-up display.

The Envision's cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls angled toward the driver. This design choice made the front of the cabin feel tighter, despite ample dashboard space. While some design elements were stylish, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust. The Envision's ride quality was comfortable, with 18- or 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires, and standard LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels, with the RS trim featuring a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system. The Blazer saw few changes for 2022, with Premier versions receiving revised bumper and bodyside trim and redesigned wheels. A new Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package were available for models with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Blazer's pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, with our RS test vehicle totaling $49,000.

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 Camaro influence continued with an 8-inch touchscreen display, large round center air vents with temperature adjustment rings, and a strip of climate buttons. The Blazer's interior featured hard plastic, especially on the upper door panel trim, but the red interior accents in the RS trim added a layer of sophistication. The Blazer's color scheme, especially in Cherry Red Tintcoat, matched the exterior paint, creating a cohesive look.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was less powerful than the previous model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite a weight reduction of 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision's performance was more focused on comfort than sportiness. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version fared slightly worse with 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but noisy, with engine and road noise permeating the cabin. The Sport mode altered the revs but did not significantly enhance the driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, with a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 engine offered satisfying acceleration but was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS's driving modes included Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul, with the V6 capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds. The Blazer's handling was firm and sporty in typical driving situations, but less pleasing on back roads, with the suspension bounding around and the nine-speed automatic slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, and the SUV's driving dynamics did not match its sporty styling. The Blazer RS AWD achieved an average of 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, the Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. The Envision's cargo capacity was also reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front seat passenger's access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. Small-item storage was typical for the segment, and the Envision's comfort level was average, with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was poor, requiring drivers to rely on parking sensors.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior was comfortable and functional, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The steering wheel had power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating, while the front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Blazer's back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of legroom and the ability to slide forward and back on tracks. Storage space was impressive, with a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and various shelves and bins in the door panels. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. Most Blazers had a power rear liftgate, with hands-free operation available on RS and Premier trims.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech was straightforward, with a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen that was responsive to touch. The driver could see station and song title information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, power/volume knob, tuning buttons, and easy-to-navigate menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation. The Blazer also had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective lane-keeping assistance.