Face-Off: Chevrolet Blazer vs. Ford Edge

The Case For
Chevrolet did a great job with the new Blazer’s powertrain. The V6 engine that comes on all-wheel-drive versions smoothly delivers power when the driver needs it, regardless of how fast it’s going. There is plenty to pass at highway speeds, and the Blazer took just 6.4 seconds to go from zero to 60 mph. This engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that responds quickly and shifts smoothly, without fuss. It just works.

Another strong suit is the SUV’s ride comfort, which stands out in the class and is equal to the Edge. Its suspension does a good job keeping the impact from ruts and bumps out of the cabin. In addition, the Blazer did very well in our braking tests, with short stops on dry and wet surfaces.

The Blazer has a snazzier-looking interior compared with the Edge’s somewhat bland cabin. The Blazer has some padded surfaces, contrasting stitching on the seats and door panels, and a nice soft-opening glove box. Road and wind noise are nicely suppressed, with just mild engine hum coming through except under hard acceleration.

We like the Chevy’s straightforward controls. The touch-screen infotainment system is easy to use, and short and tall drivers found it within close reach.