2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a striking vehicle that often drew comparisons to high-end models like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive styling featured a wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels, all contributing to its bold presence. The Blazer's exterior design was a departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more dynamic and memorable look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with a low-rent feel and unsupportive seats that detracted from the overall experience. Despite its stylish exterior, the Blazer's cabin was dark and unsatisfying, lacking the quality and detail found in competitors at similar price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, with a higher ride height and aggressive all-terrain tires. Its unique design elements, such as a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents, set it apart from standard Outbacks. The interior featured StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which was practical but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback Wilderness provided a spacious cabin with generous rear seat head and legroom, making it suitable for families or outdoor enthusiasts. Its robust roof rack and ample cargo space further enhanced its practicality for adventures.

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. However, the preferred choice was the 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a strong and agile performance, especially with the sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle on the RS trim. Despite its impressive handling, the Blazer's transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. Fuel consumption ratings for the AWD V6 drivetrain were average, at 12.0 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.5 combined.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracted from the driving experience, with its characteristic droning and soft simulated gear changes. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, with its lifted stance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems. It offered improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for challenging terrains. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with ratings of 10.9 L/100 km city and 8.9 highway.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor, a trade-off for its Lamborghini-like design. The Blazer offered 1,818 litres of cargo space with the rear seat folded and 864 litres when raised. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,041 kg with the right configuration. The Blazer's controls were user-friendly, with features like movable rings around air vents for temperature control and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The cabin offered generous rear seat head and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Cargo space was ample, with 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping. The interior was practical, with waterproof materials and LED lighting in the cargo area.

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 the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system offered a "Plus" version with navigation, onboard apps, and better voice recognition. GM's system allowed for cloud-based settings transfer and had an app store for easy downloads and updates.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard driver assist features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Blazer received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights were rated "Marginal" and "Poor."

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.