2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. Over the years, Buick had transformed its lineup to focus entirely on SUVs, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased a more modern aesthetic with updated grilles, fascias, and lighting elements. Inside, the Enclave offered a refined experience with upgraded materials and features like heated, cooled, and massaging seats, especially in the Avenir trim. The interior design, while not reaching luxury levels, was a step above its predecessors, providing a comfortable and visually appealing environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer adopted a more youthful and rugged design, reminiscent of its larger sibling, the Blazer. The Trailblazer's styling included intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim, giving it an upscale appearance for its price range. The Activ and RS models added unique touches, with the former featuring a rugged look and the latter a sportier aesthetic. The interior of the Trailblazer, while not as luxurious as the Enclave, offered a mix of materials and colors that added personality. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer managed to provide a distinctive and practical cabin environment.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension enhancing its handling across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity of 5,000 pounds was impressive for its class, and its QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options: a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three producing 155 horsepower. The Trailblazer's AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models featured a CVT. The Trailblazer's performance was commendable, with the 1.3-liter engine providing adequate power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Activ model's suspension tuning allowed for decent handling on gravel roads, although it exhibited some body roll typical of high-riding vehicles. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The Enclave's power-adjustable seats and excellent visibility added to the ease of use. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Enclave's interior design included a restyled center console with push-button transmission gears, although the placement raised concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic components.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with a spacious cabin for its class. It provided generous headroom and mid-pack legroom, with comfortable rear seats for short trips. The Trailblazer's cargo space was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although the purpose of a small dashboard carve-out remained unclear.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The system's interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. Additional tech features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8-inch unit available. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate, the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available. The infotainment system was intuitive, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics. The combination of analog gauges and a smaller instrument cluster screen effectively conveyed essential information.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Premium trims added enhanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. NHTSA awarded the Trailblazer a five-star overall safety rating, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests.