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| 193 - 308 HP | Horsepower | 185 - 290 HP |
| 188-270 lb-ft | Torque | 178-252 lb-ft |
| 8-inch | Infotainment Screen | 7-inch |
If you’re in the market for a large and stylish SUV, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll unpack how both the 2020 Chevy Blazer vs 2020 Kia Sorento match up in a comparison of characteristics like engine performance, safety, space, and overall value. On the one hand, you have the Chevy Blazer, an SUV that stands apart from the crowd of other SUVs that are beginning to look more and more alike. The 2020 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, attempts to make the same statement, but in many ways exists right in the middle of the pack with all the rest.
Finding the right SUV is important to us, as the last thing you want to do is settle for a car that only checks off some of the items on your dream vehicle wish list. There are many aspects to unpack, and in a match-up between the Chevy Blazer and the Kia Sorento, there is a lot to pay attention to.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is available in a number of different trim levels, all built with a desire to give drivers the maximum degree of choice possible. The trims in the Chevy Blazer include the L, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. Although no matter which configuration you lean towards, you can expect a performance that is solid through and through.
The entry-level model is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that roars forward at a rate of 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft worth of torque. This base engine sends power straight to the front-wheels and uses the dynamic action of a 9-speed automatic transmission to make for a truly nimble experience behind the wheel. This baseline model may be the most underpowered engine in the lineup, but it is far from a small-fry, as it manages to still haul 1,500 pounds behind it. The inline-4 is but one of a variety of powertrains, though, that can all make for some pretty serious performance when put to task.
For instance, should you desire it, you can upgrade the Chevy Blazer to sport a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine build can also be paired with all-wheel drive, which will improve the versatility of the Chevy Blazer by leaps and bounds. While the trailering limit remains the same in this powertrain, the 9-speed automatic still holds up some pretty zippy thrust when called upon.
Although, if even the turbocharged four-cylinder isn’t enough for you, you can upgrade all the way up to a beefy 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is responsible for 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes with an electronically controlled 9-speed automatic transmission and can be purchased with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. And when it comes to towing, this model of the 2020 Chevy Blazer will not disappoint, as it has the capability to pull up to 4,500 pounds.
The 2020 Kia Sorento, by comparison, is rather limiting. While you will get a similarly sized 2.4-liter inline-4 engine in the base model, you won’t be able to get much more than 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque in output. The 6-speed automatic transmission is rather clunky as well, and while the front-wheel drivetrain operates at a level that ought to be expected, the overall package is rather disappointing. The only place where the Kia Sorento excels over the Chevy Blazer is in towing capacity as the base model is able to haul 2,000 pounds behind its tailgate.
Across the assortment of trims, which include the L, LX, S V6, EX, and SX, you won’t get anything more powerful than the 3.3-liter V-6 engine, which puts out a rather abysmal 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. The beefier 8-speed automatic transmission certainly saves the performance of this higher-trim by a margin, and so does the 5,000 pounds towing capacity, but with this being the strongest powertrain, we would have expected a bit more in terms of delivery.
With an overall length of 191.4inches and a wheelbase of 112.7 inches, the exterior of the Chevy Blazer promises a rather roomy ride. And to little surprise, the Chevy Blazer lives up to its promise. In the back seat, rear passengers get a rather sprawling 39.60 inches of legroom and 38.60 inches of headroom. What results is a cabin that should have no issue hosting even the tallest passengers. And if your goal is to store cargo, you can certainly do it, with 64.2 cubic feet available behind the first row.
Although the interior of the Chevy Blazer is more than a big space, it's quite comfy as well. While base models get cloth upholstery and adjustable seats, it doesn't matter what trim you decide to purchase; you’ll get to enjoy a rather sizable 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This standard infotainment screen can also be joined by a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a wireless phone charger.
The sizing of the Kia Sorento is a little bigger than the Chevy Blazer, however, with three rows of seats, and only 189 inches of length to play with, one can see how things can become cramped fast. The Kia Sorento may have benefited more from removing the third row entirely and leaving more room for second-row passengers who get 39.4 inches of legroom, but certainly could have benefited from more. The 2020 Kia Sorento does make up for the loss of passenger room for cargo spacing, which expands to 73.0 cubic feet when all the rear seats are folded. However, it is a small respite.
Like the 2020 Chevy Blazer, the Kia Sorento does get durable cloth upholstery, bucket seats, and a decently sized infotainment screen. However, with 7.0 inches of real estate compared to the 8.0 inches in the Chevy Blazer, it is easy to see which of the two screens may provide easier access. The 7.0-inch screen does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however, you’ll have to pay a lot more to get the kind of features found in the second or third tier, Chevy Blazer.
The 2020 Chevy Blazer offers greater capability on the road, a better-equipped interior, and a much more stylish appearance; however, what it does miss out on is active safety and driver assistance features. These are things that are becoming considered a standard across a wide variety of automaker lineups, and unfortunately, you’ll have to pay extra to get them in the Chevy Blazer. However, it is worth noting that you’ll only have to pay a small price to get a well-fleshed out package. In terms of safety, the 2020 Chevy Blazer does get the option of forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warnings with lane-keep assist; however, the biggest package is found in the top-tier RS trim. While this can seem disheartening to some drivers, it can come as a benefit to others who may not want these kinds of features in their SUV.
Where the Chevy Blazer fails, the 2020 Kia Sorento achieves and follows the trend of other competitor vehicles by offering automatic emergency braking as standard. Although, it is worth keeping in mind that you’ll have to pay extra to get the full package, with high-tier models getting adaptive cruise control and an intuitive surround-view camera system. While the 2020 Kia Sorento does offer a better driver assistance package, it is one good factor dashes amongst a flurry of mediocre ones.
When you purchase a vehicle, you should be sure that you buy from a dealership that doesn’t just have a wide collection of great cars, but a passion for finding the car that fits your every need; Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford is that dealership. We’re a leading auto retailer in the Buford area and work to deliver each of our customers an experience completely unique to your specific expectations. Chevy is home to a bounty of vehicles that can be tailored to fit nearly all walks of life. On top of that, when you purchase a Chevy brand vehicle, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll get to enjoy a reliable ride for many years to come.
Once you’ve made your purchase, you can keep coming back, as we’re also home to a full-service maintenance center where we can keep your engine running smoothly no matter what. Our number one goal is to give you the best dealership experience and to be your number one source for all of your automotive needs.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
