2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was offered in several trim levels, including 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The RS trim stood out with a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system designed for better performance on low-traction surfaces. For 2022, the Blazer saw minor updates, such as revised bumper and bodyside trim for the Premier version, new standard wheels, and the introduction of an Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for models with the turbocharged engine. Two-tone paint options were also available for the LT and RS trims.

The Blazer's pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The RS test vehicle, equipped with optional AWD, extra-cost paint, the Enhanced Convenience Package, and the Driver Confidence II Package, totaled $49,000. The Blazer's design drew inspiration from the Camaro, featuring a sporty look with 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished appearance. Inside, the Camaro influence continued with an 8-inch touchscreen display, innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents, and a strip of climate buttons. Despite the sporty design, the interior had plenty of hard plastic, which detracted from the overall quality.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated styling. The exterior featured Nissan's V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps, active grille shutters, and underbody covers to improve airflow. The Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The center console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever, a wireless charging pad, and ample storage space.

The Rogue's interior was designed with comfort and convenience in mind. The Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats were comfortable, and the second row offered good legroom and space for two adults or three in a pinch. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model. The Rogue's redesign and attention to detail made it a strong contender in the compact crossover segment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, powering either the front or all four wheels. Drivers could choose between Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul driving modes. The Blazer RS trim featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a dual-clutch AWD system, offering the same driving modes and remote engine starting. The V6 engine could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine.

In city and highway driving, the Blazer RS felt firm and sporty, with satisfying acceleration from the V6 engine. However, the engine often sounded loud and unrefined. The 20-inch wheels provided decent grip, and the steering felt good in most driving modes. The brakes were capable, but the SUV's suspension struggled on back roads, and the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, and the SUV's handling in higher-speed curves was less than ideal. The Blazer's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 20.5 mpg in heavy traffic.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.5-liter inline-four, offering an 11 percent increase in horsepower and 24 percent more torque. The VC-Turbo engine featured Variable Compression technology, which adjusted the compression ratio for better power or efficiency, depending on the driver's needs. The Rogue's new engine delivered impressive fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The Rogue's new CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension handled the new engine's power well, delivering a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering had good feel, and the 35.4-foot turning diameter was tight. Overall, the Rogue's performance improvements made it a more engaging and efficient vehicle to drive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a reasonably comfortable and useful interior. The RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, giving the cabin a sporty appearance. The steering wheel was pleasing to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. Both front seats had power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, but the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. The Blazer's dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, and rear air vents helped keep passengers cool. The back seat was wide and flat, with plenty of legroom and the ability to slide forward and back for added cargo or passenger space.

Storage space in the Blazer was impressive, with a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and shelves and bins in the front door panels. Rear passengers had seatback pockets, small trays in the armrests, bottle holders in the door bins, and a center armrest with cupholders. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. However, these numbers were small for a midsize crossover SUV.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage areas, including bottle holders in the doors, cupholders in the console, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the center console, and cubbies in the dash. The Rogue also had USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets in the center stack, along with a wireless charging pad. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, as well as USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports.

The Rogue's second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The cargo area offered 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on the configuration, and expanded to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Rogue's generous cargo space and smart storage solutions made it a practical choice for families and commuters.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-resolution graphics and a modern appearance. The system was easy to use, with a power/volume knob, tuning buttons, and Home and Back buttons below the screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the upgraded system added satellite radio and connected navigation with enhanced voice recognition. Connected services, including an OnStar Safety and Security plan and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, were available with short trial periods.

The Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate stereo volume and tuning functions and climate controls. The enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were fast and accurate. The test vehicle also had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system, which was adequate but not exceptional. Additional features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror. These features were essential due to the Blazer's poor rear visibility.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's 2021 makeover included a technology upgrade, which carried over to the 2022 model. Upper trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The Rogue's navigation system used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims.

ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link. This system used navigation data to adjust speed proactively, enhancing the Rogue's driving experience. Nissan's Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to the rear doors, making it convenient for families with rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Blazer also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, providing smooth and effective operation in various driving conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trim levels. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also had ten supplemental airbags, extended crumple zones, Intelligent Driver Alertness technology, and rear door alert. Available safety features included blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition.

ProPilot Assist combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control to help control acceleration, braking, and steering in heavy traffic and on the open road. The enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link added navigation integration for predictive speed control. The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2021 model.