Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and modern aesthetic, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of many crossovers. Its design incorporated styling cues reminiscent of road cars, featuring a low roofline with slanted front and rear pillars, and a prominent grille flanked by stacked headlights. Despite its road-oriented design, the Blazer maintained the visual heft of an SUV, thanks to its elevated ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS test model, with its blackout trim, vibrant Red Hot paint, and newly designed 21-inch wheels, stood out as a striking option in the mainstream crossover segment.

For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with unique twisted elements, and refined designs for the grille and LED headlights. These changes, while not drastic, refreshed the vehicle's appearance. The interior boasted a sportier look compared to other Chevy crossovers, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The Blazer RS model featured enhanced interior elements, such as blue trim and a two-tone upholstery scheme, which elevated the material quality and overall aesthetic.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 showcased a distinctive design that polarized opinions. Its curved sheet metal drew inspiration from various sources, aiming to create an aerodynamic shape capable of accommodating seven passengers. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive interior volume, comparable to larger SUVs. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency.

The Ioniq 9's design, while effective in space utilization, was not universally praised for its beauty. The swooping roofline contrasted with a stubby rear end, inspired by a ship's stern, and horizontal character lines added to its unconventional styling. The rear view, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail, was particularly distinctive. Hyundai offered a range of paint colours, with trim-specific options, and various wheel designs, including jet-turbine-inspired 21-inch wheels on the top trim. Inside, the Ioniq 9 provided a spacious and airy environment, with flat floors and a sliding centre console, enhancing accessibility and comfort.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained its powertrain options from the previous year, featuring a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine on the base LT model, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft 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 was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors with automatic switching.

The V6-powered Blazer RS impressed with its quick acceleration and sporty exhaust note, though it wasn't a performance SUV. Its weight and top-heavy design affected handling, but it offered a comfortable highway ride with active noise cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for its class, but its off-road capabilities were limited due to its car-based design and low-hanging front bumper.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor, producing 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs. The Preferred AWD generated 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ produced 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range.

The Ioniq 9's heavy chassis and soft suspension provided a smooth ride but compromised cornering agility. It excelled in noise reduction, with active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing features. The Ioniq 9's towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kilograms for RWD models to 2,268 kilograms for AWD versions. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charging times depending on the charger type.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious interior with nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals. Rear-seat headroom was slightly below average, but better than some competitors. The Blazer provided 864 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,818 litres with seats folded, trailing behind some rivals in cargo capacity. Its design facilitated easy maneuverability, with short overhangs and a clear windshield view. Functional interior details included USB ports and temperature controls integrated into air vents.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console enhanced accessibility. The Ioniq 9 offered 1,086 mm of middle-row legroom and 813 mm in the third row, comparable to the Hyundai Palisade. Its large rear doors facilitated easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. Cargo space ranged from 620 litres behind the third row to 2,462 litres with seats folded, with a small front trunk for charging accessories.

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, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM. The infotainment system was intuitive, though a dedicated camera view button was absent. The Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, with a large touchscreen and optional 360-degree camera system.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays, similar to other Hyundai models. Standard tech included SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The Ioniq 9 offered six USB-C ports for device charging. The 14-speaker Bose audio system, standard on higher trims, delivered impressive sound quality. The infotainment interface was user-friendly, though prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered the Chevy Safety Assist Package as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was newly available on all trims. 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 advanced Super Cruise system.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 included a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, such as collision avoidance and lane-guidance technologies. Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ trims added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.