Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and LT trims featured unique grille patterns, while the RST trim boasted a sporty blacked-out appearance with a slotted grille and 22-inch wheels. The Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, incorporating a rugged front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, and the High Country trim exuded luxury with a chrome bar grille and bright-finish 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille, LED headlights, and expressive taillights, though its overall styling leaned towards a more subtle and slab-sided appearance. The vehicle's aesthetics improved with larger wheels, and Chevrolet offered a variety of wheel designs up to 22 inches in diameter.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, available in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, maintained a consistent design with minor updates. The Premier trim featured revised bumper and bodyside trim, while two-tone paint options were introduced for the LT and RS trims. The Blazer's design drew inspiration from the Camaro, with a sporty and appealing look, especially when equipped with 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished appearance. Inside, the Blazer's design echoed the Camaro with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative air vent controls. Despite the presence of hard plastics, the RS trim's red interior accents added a touch of sophistication. The Blazer's styling promised a dynamic driving experience, though it fell short of delivering on that promise.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options, starting with a 5.3-litre V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, standard on all trims except the High Country. The High Country featured a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, and it featured an independent rear suspension for improved ride quality. The Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades, and the 5.3-litre V8 provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims, including the RS, came with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic. The RS trim featured a dual-clutch AWD system for improved traction. The V6 engine provided satisfying acceleration, though it was occasionally loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS's handling was firm and sporty, with decent grip from its 20-inch wheels. However, the suspension felt bouncy on back roads, and the nine-speed automatic was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, detracting from the driving experience. The Blazer's fuel efficiency was slightly below expectations, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from an independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered convenient storage options. The second row provided a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Tahoe boasted impressive cargo capacity, with up to 3,480 litres of volume available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior was comfortable and practical, with black leather upholstery and red accents lending a sporty appearance. The steering wheel offered power tilt and telescopic adjustment, along with heating. The front seats featured power adjustment, heating, and optional ventilation, though they lacked side bolsters and thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, with rear air vents and USB ports for passenger convenience. The back seat was spacious and adjustable, allowing for increased cargo or passenger space. The Blazer's storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment, centre armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The power rear liftgate, available on most trims, revealed a cargo area of 864 litres, expandable to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, though its full capabilities were not tested. A 15-inch head-up display was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with simple physical controls. The RS trim's interior design echoed the Camaro, with innovative air vent controls and red accents. The Blazer offered dual-zone automatic climate control, effective air conditioning, and rear air vents. Storage options were abundant, with a large glove compartment, centre armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The power rear liftgate, available on most trims, provided access to a 864-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for easier maneuvering. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Available upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective lane-keeping assistance. However, the Blazer did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" rating from IIHS due to its headlights.