2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2019 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its gas-powered counterpart with unique visual elements. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, and blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. Available in exclusive colors like "Lagoon Blue," the Hybrid model was eye-catching. Inside, it boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the Hybrid sacrificed rear cargo space to accommodate the battery, resulting in a higher cargo floor. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, and a windshield winter de-icer, enhancing its appeal for cold regions. The interior offered push-button start, keyless entry, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, on the other hand, turned heads with its sporty and upscale design, especially in RS or Premier trims. It garnered attention with its big, fancy wheels and stylish interior. The Blazer offered a range of trims, from the base L to the mid-grade LT, with the option of a 4-cylinder engine or a robust V6. My test vehicle, a Premier trim with AWD, featured Maple Sugar-colored leather against a Jet Black interior, exuding an upscale vibe. The Blazer's design, inspired by the Camaro, included sporty round air vents and a low-slung dashboard. While some materials felt cheap for its price, the Blazer's overall design was a hit, making it a standout choice for those seeking a distinctive and attractive SUV.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a gas-electric powertrain with a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a CVT and two electric motors, with an 8.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Unlike other hybrids, the Crosstrek Hybrid's AWD system integrated hybrid components before splitting power, ensuring traditional AWD capability. Charging the battery took five hours with a 120-volt outlet or two hours with a 240-volt station, offering a 17-mile electric-only range. Despite its electric range, acceleration was underwhelming, with a 0-60 time of 8 seconds. The hybrid components added 500 pounds, affecting handling. However, the Crosstrek Hybrid excelled in off-road capability, thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and rugged suspension. It achieved an EPA rating of 90 MPGe and a combined 35 mpg on gas.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options: a standard 193-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and a robust 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V6, paired with AWD, delivered impressive performance, zipping away from intersections and handling corners with ease. However, frequent use of its performance capabilities resulted in a fuel-economy penalty, with my test vehicle achieving 19.8 mpg after nearly 500 miles. The Blazer Premier, equipped with 21-inch wheels, demonstrated excellent handling on mountain roads but added impact harshness on city streets. Its minimum ground clearance of 7.4 inches made it suitable for urban environments rather than off-road adventures. Despite its performance prowess, the Blazer's oversized rims generated road noise and increased maintenance costs.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an electronic emergency-brake toggle, allowing for a more spacious interior layout. The upright seating position provided a commanding view, and rear seat space was ample, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. However, the cargo area was smaller than the conventional Crosstrek, offering 41 cubic feet of space due to the battery pack.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer was well-suited for a family of four, offering comfort and utility. The Premier trim featured leather, power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. While some materials felt cheap for its price, the Blazer's interior offered generous storage and unconventional controls, adding a sporty vibe. The back seat, with sliding and reclining capabilities, provided ample room for passengers, and the cargo space measured 30.5 cubic feet, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Cargo Management System allowed for customizable storage, appealing to those seeking versatility.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with Subaru's premium Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with large icons and a sensible menu layout. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the USB port placement could have been improved. The multi-information display atop the dash provided useful information without unnecessary complexity, controlled by a steering wheel button.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer featured Chevrolet's latest infotainment system, offering an impressive user experience, graphics, and responsiveness. However, my test vehicle experienced SD card issues, affecting navigation map loading. Voice-recognition technology also struggled initially. Chevrolet discontinued its free trial subscription to OnStar services, impacting value. Despite these glitches, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, catering to smartphone users. The Bose sound system, while better than previous models, still left room for improvement.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured adaptive high beams, blind-spot detection, and reverse automatic braking. EyeSight provided semi-autonomous highway driving, enhancing safety and awareness.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer dropped automatic crash response and SOS emergency calling from its standard features, requiring additional payment for these services. However, Teen Driver and Rear Seat Reminder systems remained standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all trims except the base L. Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking required upgrading to RS or Premier trims and paying extra. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.