2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and road-car-inspired design, with a low roofline and leaned-back pillars that contributed to its striking profile. Despite its crossover nature, the Blazer maintained the visual weight of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and body sides. The Blazer RS model, in particular, stood out with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a visually appealing choice for a mainstream crossover. The 2023 updates included new taillights with twisted elements, tweaked grille and headlight designs, and additional colour options, which kept the styling fresh without being overly dramatic. Inside, the Blazer's sportier aesthetic was evident with its upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS model featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme, enhancing the interior's appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe exhibited a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While not as bold, it remained an attractive SUV with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights. The Santa Fe was available in four trim levels in Canada, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S., featured a Stormy Sea paint and a black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality look and feel. The cabin, though dark and monotone, provided comfort with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats. The Santa Fe's design was set to change with a redesign in 2024, but for 2023, it continued with its established look and feel.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, which was less convenient than some competitors' automatic systems. The V6-powered Blazer RS felt quick for a crossover, with a sporty exhaust note, but its handling was affected by its weight and top-heavy design. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for its class.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-litre engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The naturally aspirated engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version offered 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, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness. The turbocharged Santa Fe provided brisk acceleration with no turbo lag, and its handling was smooth with minimal body lean. The turbo version could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, while the non-turbo version had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from the driver's seat. Front-seat headroom was comparable to rivals, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average. The Blazer provided 864 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, which was less than some competitors. The interior featured functional details like USB ports and a unique temperature control system. A heated steering wheel was standard on the RS trim.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, also a two-row SUV, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior boasted comfort features like an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. Higher trims included a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. The panoramic sunroof and Remote Smart Parking Assist were standout features, though the wide centre console limited driver leg space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. However, the lack of a dedicated button for the 360-degree camera system was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though voice recognition had mixed results. Wireless device charging was available on higher trims, and the system's capability was impressive for a mass-market brand.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package with features like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and GM’s Teen Driver monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control was available on all trims, and optional features included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's Super Cruise system.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The safe-exit assist and rear-seat reminder systems were appreciated for their practicality.