2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in Canada in several trims, including LT, True North, Premier, and RS. The LT trim featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional. Other trims came with a standard V6 engine and all-wheel drive, with the RS trim boasting a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system for better performance on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer's design was inspired by the Camaro, with a sporty appearance enhanced by 20-inch wheels. However, some design elements, like the black trim on the rear bumper, gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer featured Camaro-inspired infotainment and climate control systems, with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative temperature adjustment rings. Despite the sporty design, the interior had hard plastic surfaces, which detracted from the overall quality.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, in contrast, had a more conservative exterior design compared to other Hyundai models, but it was still an attractive SUV. It was available in four trims in Canada: Preferred, Urban, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Santa Fe's styling was characterized by wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights. Inside, the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality look and feel. The cabin was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, and the second row also had seat heaters. The Santa Fe's interior was spacious, with a focus on comfort and convenience, including features like a head-up display and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims, including the RS, came with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim featured a dual-clutch AWD system, enhancing its performance on various surfaces. The Blazer offered multiple driving modes, including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul, and could tow up to 2,040 kilograms. While the Blazer RS provided satisfying acceleration, it was often loud and unrefined. The steering and suspension were less impressive on winding roads, and the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to downshift. The Blazer's fuel consumption was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres, but during testing, it averaged 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine was paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. The turbocharged Santa Fe provided immediate acceleration with no turbo lag, and its handling was smooth with minimal body lean. The dual-clutch transmission performed well without the usual clunkiness. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 907 kilograms for the non-turbo version and 1,587 kilograms for the turbo version. Overall, the Santa Fe's performance was impressive for its class.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The front seats had power adjustments, heating, and optional ventilation, but lacked side bolsters and thigh support. The Blazer featured dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, and ample storage space, including a large glove compartment and centre armrest bin. The rear seat was spacious and could slide forward and back to adjust cargo or passenger space. The Blazer's cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres, expanding to 2,041 litres with the rear seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior was comfortable, with an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats as standard. Higher trims included features like a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury touches like a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, providing an open and airy feel to the cabin.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with simple physical controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a range of storage options. The RS and Premier trims offered a hands-free power liftgate, although its operation was inconsistent. The Blazer's technology was user-friendly, but the infotainment system lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included wireless device charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Santa Fe's infotainment system was customizable, with clear graphics and logical menu navigation. Voice recognition was mixed, performing well for navigation but struggling with music and climate control commands. The Santa Fe's technology package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and available upgrades like a vibrating Safety Alert Seat and adaptive cruise control. The Blazer's safety systems were effective, but its headlights received low ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.