Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Chevrolet Blazer

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a distinctive approach to styling that leaned more towards road car aesthetics rather than the rugged look of most other crossovers. The sleek profile was accentuated by a low roofline, and front and rear pillars leaned back. The fascia featured a prominent grille framed by stacked headlights, adding to its striking presence. The visual weight of a proper SUV was maintained through its tall ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle, with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and new-for-2023 21-inch wheels, exuded a dramatic flair.

For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling changes, including new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, and revised designs for the grille, LED headlights, and daytime running lights. The updates, while not radical, kept the Blazer’s appearance fresh. New wheel designs ranging from 18-inch to 21-inch and additional color options like Sterling Gray Metallic, Copper Bronze Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat completed the exterior changes.

Inside, the Blazer's interior carried a sportier aesthetic than other Chevy crossovers. The design featured a vertically-oriented dashboard and large round air vents inspired by the Camaro muscle car. Cloth seats were standard, with leather upholstery available on higher trims, all models benefitting from dual-zone automatic climate control. The Blazer RS’s interior was notably upscale, with blue trim, chrome accents, and a sophisticated dark blue and black two-tone upholstery. The material quality impressed, especially at the higher trim levels.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, embraced a bolder stance with a more substantial and blocky appearance. The trapezoidal grille, borrowed from Toyota's truck line, was framed by beveled and angled bodywork that highlighted the headlights. This restyling, while initially a standout, had since been matched by competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50.

The angular design continued inside, where a multi-tiered dashboard with beveled cutouts added visual interest to the otherwise straightforward surface. The layout was standard for vehicles at the time, featuring an infotainment touchscreen on top of the dash and an array of physical buttons and knobs for essential functions.

Material quality was average for the class and price range, with hard plastics prevalent but lightly padded touchpoints in high-contact areas. Lower trims included a downmarket urethane steering wheel and center armrest, which felt rubbery and cheap. However, higher trims upgraded to leather-wrapped steering wheels. The overall build quality was solid, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks over rougher road surfaces.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained its powertrain options from the previous model year. Most models were equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and certain 3LT and Premier trims offered a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that delivered 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Notably, even AWD models defaulted to FWD, requiring manual engagement via a center console knob. This anachronistic setup meant drivers needed to preemptively select AWD in anticipation of slippery conditions.

During testing, the V6-powered Blazer RS often remained in AWD to better manage its robust power delivery. While quick for a crossover, the Blazer didn't offer true performance SUV dynamics. The hefty V6 engine provided satisfying acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, though its weight and top-heavy design limited handling precision. The standard Active Noise Cancellation and well-tuned suspension ensured a comfortable highway ride, although the 21-inch wheels slightly compromised ride quality.

The Blazer's towing capacity was competitive, with a maximum rating of 4,500 pounds for V6 models equipped with the trailering package.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A rear electric motor provided AWD, with a combined output of 219 horsepower. The RAV4 Hybrid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.5 seconds.

Compared to its gasoline-only sibling and the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime, the Hybrid was about half a second quicker than the standard model but lagged behind the Prime's 5.5-second time. Within the compact hybrid SUV class, the Kia Sportage Hybrid was slightly faster, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid clocked a comparable 8-second 0 to 60 mph time.

Braking performance was smooth and predictable, with initial regenerative braking followed by physical brakes for more forceful stops. The transition between the two braking modes was imperceptible.

The suspension effectively smoothed out bumps and potholes while providing confident handling. While not sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid's driving dynamics were competent and suitable for daily use, comparable to other vehicles in its class.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle. This configuration, once standard for midsize SUVs, was complemented in Chevy's lineup by the three-row Traverse. The Blazer’s headroom was nearly on par with rivals like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Nissan Murano. Rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but still better than that of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Legroom was ample in the front and decent in the back rows.

Cargo capacity measured at 30.5 cubic feet with rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with seats folded, which was less than many competitors. For instance, the Honda Passport offered 41.2 and 77.7 cubic feet respectively, and the Nissan Murano provided 32.1 and 67 cubic feet. Despite these numbers, the Blazer felt spacious and maneuverable due to its short overhangs and good visibility from the driver's seat. Functional interior details included conveniently placed USB ports and intuitive air vent controls.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s interior offered roomy front seats with ample space for larger passengers, and the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably. While rear headroom was slightly better on paper compared to the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, rear legroom was a bit less but not significantly noticeable in practice. Rear seat cushions were slightly low, which could be less comfortable for taller passengers over long trips.

Behind the rear seats, the RAV4 Hybrid housed 37.5 cubic feet of cargo, just a fraction less than the non-hybrid version. This factor meant no significant cargo capacity loss due to the hybrid battery. The Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage both offered slightly more cargo space, with 39.5 and 39.3 cubic feet respectively, but the differences were minimal. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, although shorter owners might find them difficult to reach.

The RAV4 Hybrid excelled in interior storage, featuring a wide dashboard shelf for the front passenger, a phone tray in front of the center console, and large cupholders. The availability of a wireless charging pad was a notable omission in Toyota’s online configurator, likely due to the ongoing chip shortage, but an optional feature when available.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer came with significant tech upgrades. All models now featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and wireless device charging was available across all trims, standard on the RS and Premier, optional on the 2LT and 3LT.

Standard tech included a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster display between analog gauges, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The RS and Premier trims also boasted an 8-inch digital display, built-in navigation, and an upgraded Bose eight-speaker audio system.

The infotainment system was user-friendly with intuitive menus and was similar in layout to other Chevy models like the Traverse and Equinox. Notably, the system lacked a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera view.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gained a new infotainment system for 2023, significantly enhancing its graphical sharpness and user interface. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, with higher trims sporting a larger 10.5-inch display. The base display's small on-screen buttons required more precise pressing.

Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional wireless charging pad. The system supported over-the-air software updates and offered a Wi-Fi hotspot along with remote vehicle monitoring. Higher trims featured a fully digital instrument panel. The base audio system was adequate, with higher trims like the Limited getting an 11-speaker JBL setup for superior sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer came with a range of safety features, although not all were standard. The standard Chevy Safety Assist Package included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Adaptive cruise control was newly available on the 2LT and 3LT trims, previously limited to the Premier and RS trims. Additional optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a 360-degree camera system, a rear camera mirror, a Safety Alert vibrating driver seat, and GM's Teen Driver monitoring system.

The Blazer received high safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it "Good" ratings in all crash-test categories and "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Blazer a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also garnered high safety ratings. The NHTSA rated it five stars for overall and side crash protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most tests, although it scored “Acceptable” in moderate overlap frontal and side impacts. The RAV4 was named a Top Safety Pick.

All RAV4 Hybrid models came standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5, featuring forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the XLE trim and above. The top Limited trim included parking sensors and emergency braking when reversing, with an optional surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror.