2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in Canada in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, offered a mix of turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 engines with front-wheel or all-wheel drive options. The RS trim featured a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system for better traction. The model year saw minor updates, including revised bumpers and new wheel designs for the Premier trim, and two-tone paint options for LT and RS trims. The Blazer's design, inspired by the Camaro, was generally appealing, though some found the rear styling awkward. Inside, the Blazer echoed Camaro elements with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative climate controls, though it was criticized for hard plastic surfaces. The RS trim's red interior accents matched the exterior, adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, tested in Santa Barbara, California, included the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models. Visually, the RX 350h was nearly indistinguishable from the standard RX 350, while the RX 500h stood out with its performance-oriented design. The RX's styling remained somewhat unbalanced, with a heavy front and a visually shortened rear. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalist design with improved infotainment and ambient lighting. The RX 350h featured luxurious Macadamia leather and wood trim, while the RX 500h had a sportier black interior with optional Rioja Red upholstery. In Canada, the RX 350h started at $63,436, and the RX 500h at $83,086.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 228 horsepower, while higher trims offered a 3.6-litre V6 with 308 horsepower. The RS trim featured a dual-clutch AWD system. The Blazer's V6 provided strong acceleration but was noisy. It offered various driving modes and could tow up to 2,040 kilograms. The Blazer RS felt sporty in urban settings but struggled on winding roads, with slow downshifts and artificial steering heft in Sport mode. Fuel consumption was rated at 11.0 L/100 km, but testing showed 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h used a 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain with 246 horsepower, achieving 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, consuming 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h featured adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering, enhancing its dynamic performance. However, accessing driving modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h averaged 7.4 L/100 km, offering a quieter and more efficient drive than the RX 500h.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer provided a comfortable interior with black leather upholstery and red accents. The front seats offered power adjustments and heating, though they lacked thigh support. The Blazer featured dual-zone climate control and ample rear legroom, with a sliding back seat for added flexibility. Storage was generous, with a large glove compartment and various bins. The cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid boasted comfortable seating with ten-way power adjustments in the RX 350h and eight-way in the RX 500h. The RX 350h featured premium leather, while the RX 500h had standard-grade leather. Rear leg support was excellent, though headroom was tight. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats down, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with physical controls, dual-zone climate control, and USB ports. The power liftgate offered hands-free operation, though it was inconsistent. The Blazer's infotainment system was straightforward, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with connected services, requiring subscription after trial periods. The system included cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The touchscreen was large but limited to one menu at a time, and reflections were an issue. The RX offered a head-up display with touch-sensing control pads, though polarized sunglasses hindered visibility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Blazer's safety systems were effective, though its headlights were not highly rated by the IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with motorcycle detection, evasive steering, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. The RX's safety features were generally refined, though some, like curve-speed reduction, were less effective.