Chevrolet Blazer vs Lexus TX

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek, road-car-inspired design, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of crossovers. It featured a low roofline with leaned-back pillars and a prominent grille framed by stacked headlights, giving it a striking profile. Despite its sleekness, the Blazer maintained the visual heft of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with blackout trim, vibrant Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a visually appealing choice in the mainstream crossover segment. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, and revised grille and LED headlight designs. These changes, along with new wheel designs and additional color options, kept the Blazer's styling fresh. Inside, the Blazer's sportier aesthetic was evident with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS model's interior featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme, enhancing its appeal. Material quality was impressive, especially in the high-end Blazer RS model.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with upscale styling. The TX's design was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a toned-down look. Our test model, equipped with Luxury trim, featured striking 22-inch silver-finished wheels, enhancing its presence. The TX came in three model series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD. Our test vehicle, with FWD and Luxury trim, included packages like the Convenience and Technology Packages, a 21-speaker audio system, and more, bringing the MSRP to $67,869. The Luxury trim added premium interior features, though the dark Peppercorn interior felt too dim even with a panoramic sunroof. Despite this, the TX 350 Luxury model's interior was luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year. Most models featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and select trims offered a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional AWD. However, the AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems. The V6-powered Blazer RS felt quick, with a sporty exhaust note, but its handling was affected by its weight and top-heavy design. The Blazer's 4,500-pound towing capacity was competitive for its class, but it was more suited for pavement than off-roading.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of eight seconds for the FWD model, slightly quicker with AWD. The TX 350's performance was adequate, with a fuel economy rating of 23 mpg combined for the FWD model. During testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered better traction and slightly improved acceleration. The TX 350's suspension provided a comfortable ride, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt soft in the pre-production test vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from the driver's seat. Front-seat headroom was comparable to rivals, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than some competitors. The Blazer provided 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind rivals like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. Despite this, the Blazer's design made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, with functional interior details like USB port placement and intuitive climate controls.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium interior materials, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they were comfortable and supportive. The second-row seat, though not as welcoming, offered climate control and USB ports. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, a significant improvement over previous models. The TX provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with both rows down. The interior offered numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, 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. The infotainment system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, it lacked a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues detracted from the experience. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen, offered a digital assistant with natural voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connectivity options. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was newly available on lower trims, while other optional features included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's advanced Super Cruise system.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, offered braking and steering assistance but was not always smooth. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The system generally performed well, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.