2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials, chrome accents, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, while also stylish, offered a more compact and practical design. Its proportions, character lines, and available two-tone roof made it appealing. The Trailblazer's interior, though filled with hard plastic, had a sense of style and functionality. The RS trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, a roomy rear seat, and a versatile cargo area that could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," making it well-suited for highways and cul-de-sacs but less composed in city driving.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The base 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the larger 1.3-liter engine offered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. The AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension. The RS trim, with its 18-inch aluminum wheels and Sport driving mode, provided a zippy and nimble driving experience. However, the Trailblazer was loud on freeways and had a bouncy ride on undulating surfaces. It averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, was highly functional. It could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and a roomy rear seat, though the rear seat's flat cushions compromised comfort. The cargo area offered 25.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat for additional cargo space.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a fully digital instrument panel. The optional head-up display (HUD) provided large, crisp graphics. The system's layout and redundant controls made it user-friendly.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. The RS trim included Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was easy to use, with physical controls for added convenience. The Trailblazer also offered remote engine starting and a keyless entry keypad system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. The standard Chevy Safety Assist package included forward-collision warning, 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 also earned top crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.