Compare the2023 Chevrolet BlazerVS 2022 Ford Bronco Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front shoulder belts of the Chevrolet Blazer are height-adjustable, and the rear seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Ford Bronco Sport has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

The Blazer offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Bronco Sport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Blazer and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Blazer is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	Blazer	Bronco Sport
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	26%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	29 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Blazer is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	Blazer	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	157 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	673 lbs.	689 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Blazer is 1.9% to 2.7% less likely to roll over than the Bronco Sport.

Warranty

The Blazer’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Bronco Sport’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Blazer’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Blazer second among midsize suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Bronco Sport isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Blazer’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (228 vs. 181) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 190) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 58 more horsepower (308 vs. 250) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Blazer V6 is faster than the Bronco Sport Badlands 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Blazer	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	6.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10 sec	12.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.5 MPH	87.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Blazer gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
Blazer
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Blazer’s fuel efficiency. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Blazer FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (19.4 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Blazer AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (21.7 vs. 16 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Blazer higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco Sport (5 to 7). This means the Blazer produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco Sport every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Blazer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Bronco Sport.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Blazer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco Sport:

	Blazer	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.64 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.9 inches

The Blazer stops much shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	Blazer	Bronco Sport
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Blazer has larger standard tires than the Bronco Sport (235/65R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Blazer RS/Premier’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bronco Sport (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Blazer RS/Premier’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Blazer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Sport. The Blazer RS/Premier’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Bronco Sport.

The Chevrolet Blazer’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford Bronco Sport only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Blazer has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Blazer’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (112.7 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Blazer is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Bronco Sport.

The Blazer RS 4x4 handles at .87 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Blazer RS 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.1 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Blazer has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Blazer uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Blazer RS 4x4 is quieter than the Bronco Sport Badlands (66 vs. 69 dB).

Passenger Space

The Blazer has 2.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bronco Sport (107.8 vs. 105.7).

The Blazer has .4 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bronco Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Blazer’s rear seats recline. The Bronco Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Blazer’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Blazer offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Blazer RS/Premier, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Blazer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco Sport’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Bronco Sport is only 2200 pounds. The Blazer offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Blazer can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Blazer can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Bronco Sport can’t be towed flat on the ground.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Blazer, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Blazer RS/Premier, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Blazer RS/Premier’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Blazer’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Bronco Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Blazer’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

Consumer Reports rated the Blazer’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Bronco Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Blazer’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands.

When the Blazer with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Blazer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bronco Sport offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Blazer and the Bronco Sport offer available heated front seats. The Blazer RS/Premier also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Blazer RS/Premier keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Blazer has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Bronco Sport and isn’t available on the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend.

Model Availability

The Blazer is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Blazer and the Ford Bronco Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Blazer outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by over 18 to one during 2020.