2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a striking vehicle, often mistaken for a luxury model due to its aggressive styling. Its design borrowed elements from the Camaro, featuring a snarling front end, slim windows, and a muscled body, which gave it a sporty and upscale appearance. The Blazer offered a range of customization options, including various grille designs and packages that added unique touches like polished black wheels and red accents. However, the interior did not match the exterior's allure, with a predominantly black cabin that felt dated and lacked the quality expected at its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia maintained a more traditional and mature design, having been in its second generation for 14 years. Its exterior was characterized by modestly sized grilles and elegant wheel arches, giving it a timeless appeal. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability. The design was straightforward, lacking the modern flair of newer SUVs, but it provided a comfortable and spacious environment for families, with ample room across all three rows and a focus on passenger comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options in Canada, with the base being a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The preferred choice was the 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, providing a strong and agile driving experience. The Blazer's sport-tuned suspension and steering offered a dynamic ride, although the transmission's slow response and lack of paddle shifters were drawbacks. Fuel consumption ratings were average, with the AWD V6 achieving 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.7 on the highway.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a single 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a substantial payload capacity of up to 608 kg and a towing capacity of 3,221 kg. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust construction and independent suspension. However, its fuel consumption was high, with ratings of 18.5 L/100 km in the city and 13.9 on the 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 sporty design. The Blazer offered 1,818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 864 litres when raised. It had a towing capacity of 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 Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, with spacious seating across all three rows and standard heated front seats. The SUV offered a generous cargo capacity, with 535 litres behind the third row and up to 3,401 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Sequoia's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage options and a focus on passenger convenience. Its large size and excellent sightlines made it a capable daily driver, though its height required caution in low spaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering a user-friendly experience with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS trim added advanced features like wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included navigation, onboard apps, and cloud-based settings transfer, providing a modern and connected experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was less advanced, with a 7-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to competitors. While it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system lacked the sophistication of newer models. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro trims offered navigation and a JBL premium audio system. Despite its dated infotainment, Toyota updated the Sequoia's exterior lighting to LED and included standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with standard driver assist features, including 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 but offered enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Sequoia also featured Toyota's STAR safety system, with stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. Its robust construction and safety features provided peace of mind for families.