2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, distinguishing itself from its competitors with a creased and symmetrical aesthetic. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The Highline R-Line trim, with its sportier look and available Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a rich cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, offered in LT, True North, Premier, and RS trims, maintained a sporty appearance with Camaro-inspired design elements. The RS trim, in particular, featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, adding a sporty touch. The Blazer's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was wide and flat, offering ample legroom and sliding functionality for added cargo or passenger space. Storage was impressive, with a large glove compartment and various bins and pockets throughout the cabin. The Blazer's cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the hands-free power liftgate's operation was inconsistent.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. Drivers could select from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings available. The Tiguan's Hill Descent Control engaged in Offroad mode, but its 19 centimetres of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive feel in normal driving situations, though the engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test average of 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT came with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered either the front or all four wheels, with driving modes including Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. Higher trims featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch AWD system on the RS trim. The V6 offered satisfying acceleration, though it was often loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS's handling was firm and sporty in typical driving conditions, but less enjoyable on winding roads due to its suspension and slow downshifting. Fuel consumption was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres, with a test average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and a maximum of 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The steering wheel featured power tilt and telescopic adjustment, along with heating for cold weather. The front seats provided power adjustments and optional ventilation, though they lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The back seat was spacious, with sliding functionality for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment and various bins and pockets. The cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line trim offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the MIB3's natural voice recognition was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's RS trim featured a sporty interior with black leather upholstery and red perforations. The steering wheel offered power tilt and telescopic adjustment, along with heating for cold weather. The front seats provided power adjustments and optional ventilation, though they lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents ensured passenger comfort. The back seat was spacious, with sliding functionality for added cargo or passenger space. Storage options were plentiful, with a large glove compartment and various bins and pockets. The cargo area measured 864 litres, expanding to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, along with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist could bring the SUV to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's LED headlights and driver aids could improve that score.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. A rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Available upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Blazer's driving aids worked well, though the IIHS did not award it a "Top Safety Pick" rating due to its headlights.