Compare the2023 Chevrolet BlazerVS 2023 GMC Acadia

Both the Blazer and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 GMC Acadia:

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 GMC Acadia:

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

There are over 73 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Blazer’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Blazer’s reliability 32 points higher than the Acadia.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Blazer second among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Acadia was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 7th.

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 GMC 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, GMC is rated lower.

The Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 80 more horsepower (308 vs. 228) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Blazer gets better mileage than the Acadia:

The Blazer stops shorter than the Acadia:

For better traction, the Blazer RS/Premier’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (265/45R21 vs. 255/65R17).

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 Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Blazer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4. The Blazer RS/Premier’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Acadia.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Blazer is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

The Blazer RS 4x4 handles at .87 G’s, while the Acadia Denali AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Blazer LT has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (7.5 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Blazer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Blazer RS/Premier’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Acadia (7.6 vs. 7.2 inches).

The Chevrolet Blazer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the GMC Acadia.

The Blazer has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 12.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Blazer easier. The Blazer’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.3 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Blazer. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Blazer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Acadia is only 4000 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 Acadia can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Blazer uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 Acadia does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Blazer’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the Blazer’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Insurance will cost less for the Blazer owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Blazer with a number “8” insurance rate while the Acadia is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Blazer will be $1155 to $2007 less than for the GMC Acadia.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Blazer and the GMC Acadia, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Blazer second among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Acadia isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Chevrolet Blazer outsold the GMC Acadia by 30% during 2020.