Ford Bronco vs. Chevy Blazer: 2022 – What’s the Difference?

Ford Bronco vs. Chevy Blazer. It’s a battle that began in the late 1960s when both the Bronco and Blazer nameplates first emerged. 

The Blazer first debuted in 1969 as a full-size, truck-based SUV. 

Until 2005, the Blazer name graced SUVs, and in 2019, the Blazer name finally made its comeback. 

Ford also started making the Bronco in the 1960s.

It first entered the scene in 1965 for the 1966 model and would continue until eventually ending in 1996. 

However, adventurers begged for the return of the Bronco, and in 2021 it made a comeback. 

What’s the difference between the 2022 Ford Bronco and the Chevrolet Blazer?

Both the Chevy Blazer and the Ford Bronco have a long history of reliable, rugged, offroad capabilities for similar prices. But the 2022 Ford Bronco is a more rugged utility vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice style, while the most recent Blazers lack the power of older models.

The better SUV is obvious by the end of the article. 

We break down body styling, capabilities, and even trim levels to highlight the difference between the Bronco and the Blazer.

Ford Bronco vs. Chevrolet Blazer Body Styling

Ford took the time to look through all the old Bronco plans to come up with a design that was modern and had a taste of retro. 

Much like the Broncos of old, the new Bronco features a boxy design that looks top-heavy from the raised ride height.

There are even hints of old Jeep styling as well, harkening back to America’s golden SUVs. 

Also quite like the Wrangler are the removable roof and doors. 

They come in available soft or hard top variants for the roof, allowing easy removal. 

It takes the concept of a sunroof to a whole new level. 

The Ford Bronco also features a door-like trunk hatch, which swings horizontally instead of vertically, like in the Blazer. 

Plus, those headlights look not only iconic but menacing. Against the Blazer, the Bronco holds up well. 

SUVs have lost the aggressive, go-anywhere styling, and the most prominent victims are the midsize SUVs. 

While the Blazer is the most aggressively styled midsize SUV on the market, it tends to be more sporty than off-road capable. 

Chevrolet supplied the Blazer with high-gloss paint, a large grill with a slat-like design, and the RS’ wavy grill design to pull off the look.

It also has a lip spoiler on the hatch for added style and aerodynamics. 

Aside from some aggressive lines, the Chevrolet Blazer doesn’t have a totallyunique exterior design. 

Compared with the Bronco, it’s apparent which vehicle has a city-style and which one features off-road capability. 

Under the Hood of the Ford Bronco vs. the Chevrolet Blazer

Ford supplies the Bronco with a couple of engine options. The smaller 2.3L four-cylinder and the larger 2.7L engines are EcoBoost engines, producing tuned ratings that are well more than what many expect from the efficient engines. Ford also teases the 3.0L for the Bronco Raptor. 

With premium fuel, the EcoBoost engines can produce. 

The 2.3L, for example, puts out 300 horsepower. 

The slightly bigger 2.7L adds an additional 30 horsepower for 330 total.

Official numbers are estimates, and Ford calculates the Bronco Raptor to make 400 horsepower. 

Ford supplies two different transmission options for the Bronco. 

A seven-speed manual is standard on many lower-end trims but features a crawl gear for dedicated off-road control.

A ten-speed automatic is also offered and supports off-roading through silky smooth shifting and dedicated drive modes. 

For the latest models of Chevrolet Blazer, there are only two engine options available, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L V6.

The 2.0L puts out 228 horsepower, while the V6 puts out 308 horsepower. 

These numbers are up from the previous generation, which saw power at only 193 horsepower. 

The 2.0L engine is standard on every model except the RS model, which sees the 3.6L as standard. Each engine uses a 9-speed automatic transmission. 

While the V6 is surprisingly quick, the automatic is slow to downshift, making passing more difficult. 

As an off-road vehicle, many expected the Blazer to include a 4×4. 

However, at best, AWD is offered. For the standard drivetrain, the FWD graces every trim level. The FWD is fuel-efficient but doesn’t bode well for off-road adventures. 

Interior Comforts in the Ford Bronco vs. the Chevrolet Blazer

The interior of the Ford Bronco is updated, just like the exterior. 

Several materials are available, from cloth and leather to vinyl, for repelling the elements.

Depending on the number of doors, the four-door seats five, and the two-door seats four. 

Front seats are heated, and automatic dual-zone climate control comes on trims above the base. 

While the Bronco isn’t luxurious, it’s capable and fits many creature comforts as standard. 

Ford gives the Bronco a robust 12-inch screen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

A variety of plugs allow for a variety of charging and connectivity options. 

Fans of the Chevrolet Camaro will feel right at home inside the Blazer.

Chevrolet designed the interior to feel like the muscle car and includes cloth seats with leather upgrades available on some trims

It also has automatic dual-zone climate control. 

There’s seating for five, and the rear seats drop 60/40 for more cargo room.

Chevrolet adds some standard tech, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

It has an eight-inch infotainment system hooked to six speakers, and an optional Bose 8-speaker is also available. 

Although the Blazer offers wifi hotspots, keyless entry, and driver assistance, the interior is cramped compared to the competition. 

The Off-Roading Capabilities of the Bronco vs. the Blazer

The Ford Bronco vs. Blazer battle isn’t even close in the battle of off-road capabilities. 

The Bronco not only looks like it’s ready for adventure, but the aftermarket support is second to none. 

Several off-road-specific parts are either standard or available. 

Buyers of the manual transmission receive a seventh gear, which is a dedicated crawler gear. 

This crawler gear supplies greater torque than even first gear, perfect for rugged terrain. 

The ten-speed sports trail controls and both fit limited-slip differentials and locking axles for ultimate control. 

The Bronco further makes the Blazer look silly with the capability to traverse 36-inches of water thanks to some aftermarket parts. 

Plus, even better than a Jeep is the standard skid plates, rock rails, tow hooks, and optional winch system. 

The Chevrolet Blazer isn’t for off-roading adventures. 

The styling is closer to a sports car than an off trail-capable vehicle. 

Chevrolet doesn’t even produce an off-road exclusive trim. It has only 7.4-inches of ground clearance, which is much less than the Bronco’s 11.6-inch clearance.

As there isn’t an off-road specific trim, no off-road specific parts are available. 

Many models come with FWD only, and the AWD is inadequate in rough terrain situations. 

The Blazer is really best used in the city. 

The Chevrolet Blazer does come with a drive mode selector, which does include an off-road mode; however, it’s perfunctory at best.

The only thing that helps the Blazer is the 4,500 lbs towing from the V6 engine. 

Ford Bronco vs. Chevrolet Blazer Color and Trims

The Ford Bronco comes in eight trim levels depending on the purpose, and some trims have exclusive colors. 

Ford uses a different name to denote each trim level, much like Chevrolet does.

Aside from the base model, the Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Outer Banks offer some off-roading and a decent blend of city capability. 

The Badlands and Wildtrak bring some extreme off-road to the lineup, but nothing like the Raptor, which promises to be the most extreme Bronco. 

For those looking for luxury and off-road, Ford offers the Everglades trim. There’s a Bronco for every occasion.  

All Broncos come in black, white, silver, and grey, and some vibrant colors like Eruption Green Metallic and Velocity Blue Metallic are also available.

Not every color is available on every Bronco.

For example, some trims, like the Everglades, bear some exclusive colors. 

Chevrolet manufacturers the Blazer in four trims and two special editions that you can apply to either the 2LT or 3LT models.

The 2LT is the lowest trim level, and the 3LT is a step up with more tech features and better interior quality. 

Both trims are able to have the Midnight/Sport or Redline special editions.

The Blazer also comes in a Premier trim, which is the 3LT but with all the tech and features expected in a top-level trim, including leather upholstery. Chevrolet reserves the RS trim for the Blazers sporty trim level, including the V6 standard and either 20 or 21-inch wheels. 

While the Bronco sports great colors, the Blazer looks solid with vibrant color. 

Grey, black, silver, and white join a cherry red, metallic orange, and a deep blue for color options. 

Several white shades are available, but they don’t do as much justice as the vibrant colors. 

The Fuel Economy and Range in a Bronco vs. Blazer

As SUVs, the Bronco and the Blazer aren’t the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.

The Ford Bronco benefits from the EcoBoost engine, and the 2.3L options make 20 MPG city and 22 MPG highway. 

These make the 2.3L good for 21 MPG combined. 

The more powerful 2.7L EcoBoost rates at 16 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway for a combined 17 MPG rating. 

Sitting up top is the 3.0L V6 that’s poised to have the worst fuel economy of any Bronco, with an estimated 14 MPG rating combined. 

We won’t know precisely until the Raptor trim becomes tested in-depth. 

How does the Blazer stack up with a smaller base engine? Quite well, actually.

The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder achieves 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. 

Understandably, the V6 makes worse fuel economy, but not by much.

It sits at 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

Because of the better fuel efficiency, the Blazer has the potential to crest the 550-miles range, while the Bronco makes just over 350-miles max range.

The difference comes in the 16.9-gallon tank that the Bronco has versus the 19.4-gallon tank in the Blazer. 

Fuel efficiency and capacity give the Blazer one of its few wins. 

The Price of a Ford Bronco vs. a Chevrolet Blazer

Ford prices the base model Bronco at $30,800. 

This price makes it almost $3,000 cheaper than the base 2LT Blazer. 

Plus, Chevrolet prices the 3LT and Premier trims at around the same price that Ford prices the Outer Banks trim, at $40,855. 

The cost will vary depending on the door configuration, with the four-door being naturally more expensive. 

For the Bronco Raptor, the price jumps considerably. 

At $68,500 starting, the Raptor has the potential to stretch well into the $80,000 range with options and accessories.

More realistically, the Badlands model starts at $45,000 and will blend luxury and off-road capability quite nicely without breaking the bank. 

As mentioned, the Blazer’s 3LT and Premier trim levels are priced at $37,600 and $41,100, respectively. 

The priciest Blazer will run around $42,500 but features the V6 engine standard and other luxury features.

Even the most expensive Blazer is still cheaper than the top two trims of Bronco. 

When comparing prices, the Bronco is priced higher than the Blazer, and the extra door and features will drive costs higher. 

For the Blazer, the starting prices are lower, but lacking 4×4 will force many to spend extra on the AWD option, which also pushes prices up by a couple of thousand dollars. 

Final Thoughts on Ford Bronco vs. Chevrolet Blazer 

What’s the difference between the ford Bronco and the Chevrolet Blazer? Quite a bit. 

Ford does virtually no wrong in crafting an off-road vehicle that competes with the most hearty masters like the Wrangler or Land Rover. 

The exterior features like removable doors and roofs give the Bronco a considerable leg up over the competition.

Chevrolet continues the long legacy of Blazers, but the 2022 model is more city hauler than a utility vehicle. 

While engines produce more horsepower than previous models, the lack of off-road features and capability has adventure seekers looking elsewhere.

Both the Blazer and the Bronco have prices to reflect the times, and many buyers will pay between $35,000 and $45,000 for their SUVs, but the clear winner is the Ford Bronco.

Not only do features elevate the Bronco, but the execution of a modern off-road masterpiece.