Compare the2023 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2023 Chevrolet Blazer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Blazer doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Blazer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Blazer doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 4Runner has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Blazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4Runner has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Blazer.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Blazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the Blazer 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

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, results indicate that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Chevrolet Blazer:

	4Runner	Blazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	93
Hip Force	233 lbs.	369 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	251
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	381 lbs.	673 lbs.

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

Warranty

The 4Runner’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Blazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Blazer.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4Runner first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Blazer was rated second.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chevrolet is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 17th.

Engine

The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 42 more horsepower (270 vs. 228) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 258) than the Blazer’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 270) than the Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Blazer with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Blazer FWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 4Runner has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Blazer AWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 21.7 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Blazer:

	4Runner	Blazer
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	12.64 inches

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Blazer are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger standard tires than the Blazer (245/60R20 vs. 235/65R18).

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Blazer; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The 4Runner has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Blazer’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Blazer doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the Blazer’s (60.1% to 39.9%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Blazer’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Blazer LT (9.6 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner’s minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the Blazer RS/Premier (9.6 vs. 7.6 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the 4Runner TRD Off-Road is quieter than the Blazer RS 4x4 (73 vs. 74 dB).

Passenger Space

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Blazer can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 20.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Blazer (128 vs. 107.8).

The 4Runner has .7 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and 1.5 inches more rear hip room than the Blazer.

Cargo Capacity

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Blazer.

	4Runner	Blazer
Third Seat Folded	46.3 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	47.2 cubic feet	30.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	89.7 cubic feet	64.2 cubic feet

The 4Runner 5-Passenger’s optional sliding cargo floor is capable of supporting 440 pounds, to make loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The Blazer doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Blazer’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Blazer’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Blazer. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Blazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Blazer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4Runner is less expensive to operate than the Blazer because it costs $654 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 4Runner than the Blazer, including $71 less for a muffler, $144 less for front brake pads, $48 less for front struts and $814 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The TRD Pro was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2015 4x4 of the Year. The Blazer has never been chosen.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Chevrolet Blazer by over two to one during the 2021 model year.