2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in Canada in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, offered a blend of sporty aesthetics and practicality. The LT trim featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive, while other trims came with a V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The RS trim stood out with its advanced twin-clutch AWD system, enhancing its performance on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer's design, inspired by the Camaro, was visually appealing, especially with 20-inch wheels. However, some design elements, like the black trim on the rear bumper, gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer echoed the Camaro's style with its infotainment and climate control systems, though the use of hard plastics was a downside. The RS trim's interior, with red accents matching the Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, added a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple aesthetics. While it lacked flashy factory options, our test vehicle in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim enhanced the luxurious feel. The Range Rover Sport was available in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One trims. Our Dynamic SE test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and leather upholstery, pushing its price over $120,000. The SUV's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a choice between a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 308 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with the V6 available on higher trims and offering a towing capacity of up to 2,040 kilograms. The Blazer RS, with its dual-clutch AWD system, provided a sporty driving experience, though it struggled on winding roads due to its suspension and slow downshifting. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, and the SUV's driving dynamics didn't match its sporty appearance. Fuel consumption averaged 11.5 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the official rating.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid option with 434 horsepower was available in the Autobiography trim. The SUV's eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system provided a smooth driving experience, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was better than expected, averaging 10.5 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture improved torsional stiffness, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it fell short of sport-tuned competitors in dynamic driving, feeling tall and heavy with limited steering involvement. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with advanced suspension and technology ensuring a smooth ride over challenging terrain.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red accents in the RS trim. The front seats provided power adjustment and heating, though they lacked side bolsters and thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The back seat was spacious, with a sliding feature for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options were plentiful, 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, though these figures were small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. Storage space was decent, with a deep bin under the centre armrest and a hidden bin under the cupholder tray. The power liftgate opened to a 903-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats down. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, physical controls, and innovative temperature adjustment rings. The RS trim included power-adjustable front seats with heating and optional ventilation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power rear liftgate. However, the hands-free operation of the liftgate was inconsistent. The Blazer's technology was straightforward and effective, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic commands, and the system's overall performance was disappointing. On a positive note, the Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came equipped 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 system, Teen Driver technology, and an available Safety Alert Seat. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance worked well, providing a smooth and reliable driving experience. However, the Blazer's headlights did not earn high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver controlled it via a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected.