2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more stylish and dynamic look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its front-end styling with the Honda Ridgeline, giving it a tougher and more rugged appearance. The Passport's design updates were applied across all trim levels, including the new TrailSport trim, which aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. The TrailSport featured unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates, enhancing its SUV credentials. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious and comfortable cabin with quality materials and thoughtful design touches, making it a pleasant place for both drivers and passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.5-liter inline-four engine, producing 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, was underpowered and noisy, making it a poor fit for the Blazer's sporty persona. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, with 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, but the 3.6-liter V6 engine on the RS trim was the standout, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension and a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle, enhancing its handling and driving dynamics. However, the transmission's slow responses and convoluted manual mode detracted from the overall driving experience. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 was smooth and powerful, providing satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The Passport's AWD system, standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims, featured mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its performance on twisty roads and off-road trails. The Passport's fuel economy was slightly better than the Blazer's, with the AWD model achieving 21 mpg combined. However, the Passport's brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer comfortably seated four passengers, with low-mounted seats making entry and exit easy. However, its poor sightlines were a drawback, mitigated somewhat by large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera systems. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. It could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and AWD. The Blazer's controls were user-friendly, with innovative features like temperature dials around the air vents and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Honda Passport excelled in interior space and comfort, with large, comfortable seats and plenty of room for passengers. The Passport's cargo space was generous, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Passport's large doors and low step-in height made it easy to get in and out, and its numerous storage compartments added to its practicality. The Passport's simple utility and undeniable comfort made it a great choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with features like navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, driver assists were only standard on higher trims, and the Blazer lacked semi-automated driving functions.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but felt outdated, and its navigation system was clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport lacked advanced technological features found in some competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in overall and crash tests, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top "Good" ratings in crash tests but "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. The Blazer included standard driver assists like forward automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist on most trims, but it lacked rear emergency braking and some advanced safety features.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder system. However, some Honda Sensing functions were less refined, and the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most tests but four stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings in most areas but an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.