2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to the grille, front bumper, and taillights, which featured a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert. Standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation were a welcome addition across all trim levels. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern appeal. The interior boasted perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, along with new dashboard ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey's upscale feel. Despite these updates, the Odyssey maintained its reputation as a practical and stylish minivan, with a focus on reducing brightwork for a more refined look.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a sporty and aggressive design, inspired by the Camaro. The RS trim, in particular, stood out with its black leather upholstery featuring red perforations, adding a touch of sportiness to the cabin. The exterior design was bold, with a unique black trim rising from the lower rear bumper, giving the SUV a distinctive appearance. Inside, the Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with intuitive controls, large round centre air vents, and innovative temperature adjustment rings. While the Blazer's interior had a sporty appeal, it was marred by the use of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall quality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) was a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The brakes, while improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 308 horsepower. The V6, available on higher trims, provided satisfying acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,040 kilograms. The Blazer's nine-speed automatic transmission offered multiple driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. While the Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in city and highway driving, it struggled on winding roads, with a suspension that bounced excessively and a transmission slow to downshift. The Blazer's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres, with an average of 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality, with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The minivan featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel on higher trims. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout offered versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats provided comfort for both children and adults. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,984 litres with the seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats to maximize cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and optional ventilation. The Blazer's dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The back seat was spacious, with the ability to slide forward and back for added flexibility. Storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment, centre armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The Blazer's cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded, though these figures were modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen disappointed younger passengers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display with simple physical controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, and USB ports for connectivity. The Blazer's technology was user-friendly, with intuitive controls and effective air conditioning. However, the infotainment system lacked some of the advanced features found in the Odyssey, such as the CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's safety features were enhanced by a new radar unit and standard LED headlights, earning it a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS. The Odyssey received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star score in rollover resistance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which included forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. The Blazer also offered a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. While the Blazer's safety features were effective, its headlights did not earn high ratings from the IIHS, preventing it from receiving a Top Safety Pick designation.