2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling since its third generation debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango maintained a distinct look, aligning more with Dodge's muscle cars like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw revisions, especially in the new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior schemes. Inside, the 2021 updates included a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leathers, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belts. The Durango's dashboard updates brought it in line with Dodge's muscle cars, offering a model for nearly every buyer with various trim levels and unique packaging.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted appealing styling with well-proportioned character lines and small details, enhanced by an available black- or white-painted roof. The Trailblazer came in five trims: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $20,195 to $26,695, plus a $1,195 destination charge. AWD was available for all but the L trim, with varying costs depending on the trim. The RS trim, tested at $33,000, included AWD and a starting price of $28,195. Despite its high price, the Trailblazer's cabin was filled with hard plastic, though it had a sense of style. The interior was functional, with a useful tray in the dashboard and the ability to hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, a roomy rear seat, and a cargo area with 25.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with different versions for each engine. The V6, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter V8, delivering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth acceleration and controlled power. The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension on rural roads and a tech-fighting architecture on the track. The Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided ample stopping power, even after repeated laps. The R/T's Tow N Go Package allowed for stable towing of up to 8,700 pounds, with a 50/50 AWD torque distribution in Tow mode. SRT models included Performance Pages for configurable drive modes and performance data.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines, with a standard 1.2-liter engine producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and a larger 1.3-liter engine delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with a CVT for FWD models, while AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension. The RS trim, with AWD, rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, offering a zippy and nimble driving experience. The Trailblazer's light curb weight and turbocharged torque made it fun to drive around town and on winding roads. However, it was loud on freeways, and the suspension struggled with speed bumps and off-road terrain. The Trailblazer averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It offered seating for five in two rows, expandable to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, with a more accommodating third row compared to many rivals. The Durango provided 21 seat options, catering to various preferences. Its cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge's improved fit and finish in the Durango stood out, earning awards for initial vehicle quality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, offered impressive functionality. It featured a useful tray in the dashboard and could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim had a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, making it easy to find a perfect driving position. The rear seat was roomy but had flat cushions for a flat load floor when folded. The cargo area held 25.3 cubic feet, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, accommodating larger items like surfboards.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor, offering user profiles, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and OTA updates via a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. A family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens was available on higher trims. SRT models had unique appearance features and a "smoke show" start-up animation. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the exact speed, but the TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services with a WiFi hotspot. The larger touchscreen included Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available. The infotainment system had appealing graphics, a smartphone-style user experience, and a useful voice recognition system. Physical controls below the display made it easy to use. The Trailblazer also offered remote engine starting from the LT trim and a keyless entry keypad system. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and federally-mandated passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. Many competitors offered these features as standard. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but IIHS ratings were not available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard Chevy Safety Assist included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer's ADAS worked smoothly and accurately during testing. It earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.