Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 Chevrolet Blazer

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 a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Blazer doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Blazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner TRD Off-Road/Trailhunter/TRD Pro’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 that 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 standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Blazer and the Blazer’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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, 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 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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Blazer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fourth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (278 vs. 228) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the Blazer’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 270) than the Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 18 more horsepower (326 vs. 308) and 195 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 270) than the Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Blazer:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Blazer doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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 on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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

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.

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Blazer (265/70R17 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.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has 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 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Blazer’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Blazer LT (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 2.5 inches higher than on the Blazer RS/Premier (10.1 vs. 7.6 inches).

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

The 4Runner has .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more rear hip room than the Blazer.

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

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 4Runner. The Blazer doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Blazer’s (6000 vs. 1500 pounds).

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.

The 4Runner Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Blazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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.

The 4Runner Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Blazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet Blazer offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 4Runner offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Blazer’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Chevrolet Blazer by 82% during 2023.