2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive design, reminiscent of its original version with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. Despite these retro elements, the Defender was a modern vehicle with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender compared to its predecessor resulted in more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about damaging the interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, featured a Camaro-inspired design that was visually appealing, especially with 20-inch wheels. The RS trim had a unique twin-clutch AWD system for better traction. The Blazer's interior echoed the Camaro's style with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative climate controls. However, the use of hard plastic was noticeable, and the upper door panel trim was particularly hard. The RS trim's red interior accents matched the exterior paint, adding sophistication. Despite its sporty appearance, the Blazer's styling had some quirks, like the black trim on the rear bumper, which gave it an unfinished look.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new 518 hp V8 engine, which could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims, including the RS, featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The RS trim's dual-clutch AWD system enhanced traction. The Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in city and highway driving, but its suspension and transmission performance were less satisfying on winding roads. The V6 engine provided decent acceleration, but it was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer's towing capacity was 2,040 kilograms, and its fuel consumption averaged 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating configurations, with the two-door Defender 90 featuring 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. While accessing the rear seats was challenging, they were surprisingly comfortable. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, including two-row and three-row configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row models. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior was comfortable and practical, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The steering wheel offered power tilt and telescopic adjustment, and both front seats had power adjustment and heating. The Blazer's back seat was spacious, with sliding functionality for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options were plentiful, including a large glove compartment and centre armrest bin. The power rear liftgate, available in RS and Premier trims, revealed a cargo area of 864 litres, expandable to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's RS trim included a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and physical controls. The dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, and rear passengers benefited from air vents and USB ports. The Blazer's technology package included a power rear liftgate with hands-free operation, though its success rate was inconsistent. The RS trim's interior featured red accents that matched the exterior paint, adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. However, the Defender lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer included the Chevy Safety Assist suite as standard, offering 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 Blazer's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance worked well, but the IIHS did not award it a "Top Safety Pick" due to inadequate headlight performance.