2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a striking vehicle, often mistaken for a high-end model like the Lamborghini Urus due to its aggressive styling. Its exterior design featured a wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels, all contributing to its bold presence. The Blazer's front end was particularly eye-catching with thin lights and a tall, black grille. Despite its Chevrolet badge, the Blazer managed to evoke a sense of luxury and sportiness, reminiscent of more expensive SUVs. However, the interior did not match the exterior's promise, as it was criticized for its low-rent materials and lack of support in the seats, which detracted from the overall experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX offered subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The RDX's updates included modifications to the grille surround, bumper styling, and new wheel designs. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The RDX's interior was praised for its high-quality materials and solid build, providing a quieter and more refined cabin experience. The A-Spec Platinum Elite package, in particular, justified its price with a blend of style and comfort, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options in Canada, with the base engine being a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder producing 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The more desirable option was the 3.6-litre V6, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, providing a strong and agile driving experience. The Blazer's sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle on the RS trim enhanced its handling capabilities. However, the transmission calibration was criticized for its slow response and lack of paddle shifters, which detracted from the sporty promise. Fuel consumption ratings for the AWD V6 were average, at 12.0 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.5 combined.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a lively driving experience, complemented by a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The RDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system offered impressive torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing its performance on winding roads. Acura's revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension improved ride comfort and responsiveness. The RDX's fuel consumption was rated at 10.3 L/100 km, though real-world testing showed an average of 11.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four adults. Its low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to its design, though large side-view mirrors and a rear-view mirror camera helped mitigate this issue. The Blazer offered 1,818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 864 litres when raised. It also boasted a towing capacity of up to 2,041 kg with the right configuration. The interior featured simple controls and convenient features like heated seats and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position, though the control layout required some acclimation. The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, while the rear seats were less so, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX offered 835 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate with hands-free operation was standard, adding to its practicality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, known for its simplicity and speed. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. The RS trim added features like wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system offered navigation, onboard apps, and cloud-based settings transfer, with privacy settings for data collection.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. While the system required a learning curve, it offered a direct one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard driver-assist features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights were rated "Marginal" and "Poor." The Blazer lacked semi-automated functions and rear emergency braking.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New features included a rear seatbelt reminder and enhanced AcuraWatch systems, offering forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RDX earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.