2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. Its design was appealing, featuring dark gray plastic trim around the lower perimeter and borrowing styling cues from competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted a well-thought-out design with excellent control layout and storage options, though it was marred by the presence of hard shiny plastic, which felt out of place at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a midsize SUV that offered a more traditional SUV experience, albeit with conventional rear doors instead of sliding ones. It featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, which we tested, included blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's interior was spacious and comfortable, with black leather upholstery and gloss black trim. However, the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside. The interior design was simple and logical, with matte-finish switchgear and easy-to-use stereo controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions, including the AWD models, had a more powerful 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's performance was adequate for most driving conditions, though it struggled on steep inclines. It averaged 26.6 mpg in fuel economy, slightly below the EPA rating. The ride was firm, with suspension impact harshness over bumps, and the vehicle was noisy inside.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, offered a single engine choice: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Traverse's V6 engine provided ample power for its size, and it returned 20.9 mpg in combined driving. The ride was firm yet compliant, though it could scrape the front air dam over larger road anomalies. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. The V6 drivetrain, steering, and brakes performed well in mountainous terrain, but the RS trim's tires were not particularly engaging.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a mix of cloth and leatherette seats, with the latter being standard on higher trims. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were less so, with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer provided 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down for additional cargo length.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured captain's chairs in the second row for RS, Premier, and High Country trims, reducing seating capacity to seven. The interior was spacious, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third row. Cargo space was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 57.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The maximum cargo volume was 98.2 cubic feet, making it one of the roomiest SUVs in its segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems, with the upgraded version featuring an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium sound system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for easy operation. The Bose system effectively drowned out road noise.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. Higher trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium sound system was standard on RS trim. The voice recognition system was responsive, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. However, the adaptive cruise control was inconsistent, and the lane-keeping assist system was unreliable. Crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse also featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, with additional options like rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The driving aids were generally accurate and refined, though the Traverse lacked advanced lane-centering assist. The IIHS rated the Traverse "Good" in most collision tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.