2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. This design was likely to age well. The Tiguan was also large for its class, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the option to carry five or even seven with a small third-row seat. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had some hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. Trim levels ranged from S to SEL Premium R-Line, with prices between $25,245 and $39,095.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, had appealing styling with well-executed proportions and character lines. It looked good even in the base L trim. The Trailblazer came in five versions: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $20,195 to $26,695. AWD was available for all but the L trim, with varying costs depending on the trim. Our test vehicle, an RS trim with AWD, had a starting price of $28,195, but options raised it to $33,000. The interior had a sense of style but was filled with hard plastic, making it less appealing for the price.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as a $1,400 option on most models. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though our test vehicle averaged 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 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. A CVT came with both engines for FWD, but AWD models got a nine-speed automatic transmission. The AWD powertrain also had a more sophisticated rear suspension design. The Trailblazer RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, making it zippy and nimble. It was fun to drive around town and on narrow, winding roads. However, it was loud on freeways, and the suspension struggled with speed bumps. Our test vehicle averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, falling short of the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery was convincing. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and air conditioning vents. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo space with deep wells. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, was highly functional. It could hold something 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, likely to ensure a flat load floor when folded. The trunk held 25.3 cubic feet of cargo, with a load floor offering two positions. Folding the back seat down provided 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat also folded flat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The SEL Premium R-Line had a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The MIB3 system was an improvement but had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer had a comprehensive infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Our test car had the larger touchscreen with Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. The system was easy to use with appealing graphics, a smartphone-style user experience, and useful voice recognition. Physical controls underlined the display, making it intuitive to use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was standard starting with SE trim, and the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, including 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 earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS.