2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and striking appearance, diverging from the rugged look typical of many crossovers. It featured a low roofline with leaned-back front and rear pillars, a large grille framed by stacked headlights, and a tall ride height that maintained the visual weight of an SUV. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a remarkable sight among mainstream crossovers. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, and tweaked designs for the grille and LED headlights. The interior boasted a sportier aesthetic, reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents. The Blazer RS model impressed with its material quality, featuring blue trim, chrome accents, and a dark blue and black two-tone upholstery scheme.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained a handsome and chiseled styling, with proportions that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, excluding a $1,920 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, offered a long list of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch surfaces. The Rogue's design was appealing, ensuring it remained a popular choice among consumers. The interior of the Platinum trim was well-equipped, featuring a frameless rearview mirror, interior accent lighting, and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. However, the Rogue's remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its low-contrast design, making it difficult to use in low-light conditions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year. The base LT model came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, was optional on the LT and standard on other trims. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors that automatically switched between FWD and AWD. The V6-powered Blazer RS felt quick for a crossover, with a sporty exhaust note, but its weight and top-heavy design affected handling. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for its class.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.5-litre four-cylinder in all but the base trim. The Rogue's CVT included paddle shifters, and AWD was standard on all but the base trim in Canada. The VC-Turbo powertrain was preferred over the older engine, offering responsive performance in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km. The Rogue's suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, but the steering felt lifeless, and the tires offered modest grip.

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 rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. The Blazer's interior featured functional details, such as USB ports and temperature controls integrated into the air vents. A heated steering wheel was standard on the RS trim but unavailable on lower models.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family vehicle, accommodating four people comfortably, with room for a fifth if needed. The Platinum trim offered premium features like a triple-zone climate control system, panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity seats. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped quilted pleats. The Rogue's rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy access. Cargo space was generous, with up to 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with them folded. The Rogue's Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations.

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 a user-friendly menu layout. However, the lack of a dedicated button for the 360-degree camera system was noted.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the larger screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. Voice recognition was limited, struggling with certain requests. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was newly available on all trims. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating from the latter.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with Safety Shield 360, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.