Chevrolet Blazer vs Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 presented a refined and modern aesthetic, with its updated front and rear styling aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The Q7 55 TFSI, priced at $86,100 with the Technik trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a high-tech interior. The cabin, adorned in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded luxury. Audi's Virtual Cockpit and dual touchscreens replaced most physical controls, offering a futuristic feel. The ambient lighting in the Technik trim added a soothing atmosphere, enhancing the upscale and high-tech vibe of the Q7's interior.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, particularly in the RS trim, impressed with its bold and aggressive styling, reminiscent of a Lamborghini Urus. Its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels contributed to its striking appearance. The Blazer's design borrowed elements from the Camaro, with a muscled body and a snarling front end. Despite its sporty exterior, the interior was less impressive, with a low-rent feel and unsupportive seats. The cabin was predominantly dark, with downmarket materials that didn't match the over-$50,000 price tag. However, the Blazer offered good customization options, including various grille designs and wheel choices, allowing buyers to personalize their vehicle.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI was equipped with a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, delivered a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds. The Q7's 48-volt mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency, averaging 11.2 L/100 km during testing. The adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, enhancing the SUV's agility and comfort. The Q7 excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with a substantial towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options in Canada: a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 227 hp and a 3.6-litre V6 with 308 hp. The V6, standard on RS and Premier trims, provided strong performance, aided by a sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's AWD system required manual activation, and its fuel consumption was average, with the V6 AWD rated at 10.5 L/100 km combined. Despite its sporty chassis, the Blazer's driving experience was hindered by transmission flaws.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three-row seating, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space to 402 litres when in use. Folding it down expanded cargo capacity to 1,010 litres, and with both rows folded, it offered 1,970 litres. The Q7's interior was comfortable for long trips, with heated and ventilated front seats and ample second-row legroom. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and dashboard screen occupying valuable space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height didn't compromise interior space, and the seats were mounted lower for easy access. Cargo space was 864 litres with the rear seat up and 1,818 litres when folded. The Blazer's towing capacity reached 2,041 kilograms with the V6 and trailering package. The interior featured simple controls, like temperature dials around air vents, and convenient features like a hands-free power tailgate. However, visibility was limited due to poor sightlines, mitigated by large side-view mirrors and a rear-view mirror camera.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for system access. It included natural voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and navigation. While intuitive, the system occasionally struggled with unresponsive virtual buttons. The Technik trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though Audi later upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system supported navigation, onboard apps, and cloud-based settings transfer. The app store functioned like a smartphone, with easy downloads and updates. Privacy settings allowed users to manage data collection.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign-recognition system was problematic, causing unexpected braking. The Q7 received top safety ratings from the IIHS, except for its "poor" headlight assessment. The HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination but were criticized for glare.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard safety features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. It scored five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlights. The Blazer lacked semi-automated functions and rear emergency braking but offered enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.