2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

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. These changes, along with new wheel designs and additional colour options, kept the Blazer's styling fresh. Inside, the Blazer's sportier aesthetic was evident with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS model boasted blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme, impressing with its material quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, with a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours, along with a rear VW logo that lights up, were introduced. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles. The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared qualities with VW's gasoline models, offering a minimalist interior design and a sense of quality. The base model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts, and the interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage. The ID.4's interior space and functionality made it a practical choice among affordable EVs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained its powertrain options from the previous year. The base LT model came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 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 rivals that automatically switched from front-wheel drive (FWD) to AWD. The V6-powered Blazer RS test car was often left in AWD mode to manage the power effectively, as FWD mode exhibited some torque steer. The Blazer's V6 engine provided impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, but it wasn't a performance SUV. Its weight and top-heavy design affected handling, though it offered a pleasant highway experience with active noise cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for midsize SUVs, but its off-road capabilities were limited.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack with RWD or AWD options. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. It provided a comfortable and refined ride, though body roll limited its performance on twisty roads. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed coasting in its default setting, with a more aggressive "B" setting for increased energy recovery. However, it didn't offer one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious interior without being cumbersome to maneuver. It provided nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer offered 864 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, which was less than some competitors. Despite this, the Blazer felt spacious from the driver's seat, with short overhangs aiding in parking and an unobstructed windshield view. Functional interior details included USB port placement 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 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than other affordable EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was a practical choice among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models rated at 1,000 kilograms and AWD models at 1,225 kilograms. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was available.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and wireless device charging available on all trims. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system were standard on RS and Premier trims and available on the True North trim. The infotainment system offered an intuitive menu layout, though a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system would have been appreciated. The Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, with the new touchscreen among the largest in its segment.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user experience included sharp graphics, smartphone-like icons, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, were distracting. The ID.4's voice recognition system often proved more convenient for adjusting settings. The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes.

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 now available on all trims, and optional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash-test categories, with "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. While IIHS ratings for 2023 weren't available, the 2022 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The ID.4 offered standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.