2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the original 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco Sport, however, was designed as a unibody crossover, offering a more urban-friendly experience while still catering to weekend adventurers. Its design featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover models, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with its tastefully modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look.

The Bronco Sport's interior was rugged yet refined, with a focus on practicality. It featured an uncluttered design, unique HVAC vent shapes, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats. The vehicle's wheels played a significant role in its off-road capability, with options ranging from 17-inch to 18-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. Overall, the Bronco Sport's design and features made it a versatile choice for those seeking both style and functionality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in Canada in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, offered a sporty and appealing design inspired by the Camaro. The Blazer's exterior featured a distinctive look, with two-tone paint options and revised bumper and bodyside trim for the Premier version. The RS trim stood out with its sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system, enhancing responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer's interior echoed the Camaro's design, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, large round air vents, and a sporty colour scheme. However, the use of hard plastic materials detracted from the overall quality feel.

The Blazer's interior was spacious and comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. The rear seats offered ample legroom and could slide forward and back to adjust cargo space. Storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment, centre armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The Blazer's cargo area, accessible via a power rear liftgate, provided 864 litres of space, expandable to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded. Despite its sporty appearance, the Blazer's driving dynamics fell short of expectations, with a firm ride and unrefined engine noise.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, catering to different trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model, on the other hand, boasted a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), complemented by a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, making it a capable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT came equipped with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered either the front or all four wheels, with driving modes including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. Higher trims featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch AWD system in the RS trim. The V6 engine offered satisfying acceleration, but its loud and unrefined sound detracted from the driving experience. While the Blazer RS felt sporty in city and highway driving, its suspension and steering fell short on winding roads, failing to deliver the promised driving dynamism.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and ample cargo space. The cargo area was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a wide range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, optional slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered generous storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer provided a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red perforations lending a sporty appearance. The steering wheel offered power tilt and telescopic adjustment, along with heating for cold weather. The front seats featured power adjustment, heating, and optional ventilation, though they lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The Blazer's back seat was spacious and adjustable, allowing for increased cargo or passenger space. Storage options were abundant, with a large glove compartment, centre armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The power rear liftgate revealed a 864-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road assistance through trail control technology. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, along with a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel on higher models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's technology offerings included a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display and physical controls. The RS trim featured a sporty interior with red accents, while the dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked seamlessly, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. The available Safety Alert Seat provided additional warnings, and the hands-free power liftgate offered convenience, though its success rate was inconsistent.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. The Bronco Sport's AWD and terrain management system enhanced safety, and it received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and the available Safety Alert Seat. The Blazer's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance worked effectively, though its headlights received lower ratings from the IIHS.