2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer had a lot more to offer than just its good looks, but its appealing styling certainly helped. Chevrolet nailed the proportions, primary character lines, and small details, with the available black- or white-painted roof adding to its charm. Even the base L trim looked good, which was quite a feat.

There were five versions of the 2022 Trailblazer: 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 level. Our test vehicle was an RS trim with AWD, starting at $28,195 and totaling $33,000 with options. However, the cabin was filled with hard plastic, making it hard to justify the high price. Despite this, the interior had a sense of style.

GMC updated the Terrain’s front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim for 2022. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC expected some owners to test its “small off-road SUV” claim, so it added a steel skid plate under the front end to protect vital components.

Our test vehicle came with extra-cost Ebony Twilight metallic paint, the blacked-out AT4 treatment, and a black leather interior. It was loaded with the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, a Skyscape panoramic sunroof, and a three-year subscription to OnStar services, bringing the MSRP to $41,810, including the $1,395 destination charge. More affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, as well as the luxurious Terrain Denali. However, the Terrain’s entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and execution of details, such as the less intuitive pushbutton transmission controls and the narrow storage tray.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, but the larger 1.3-liter engine was better, offering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm, making the Trailblazer feel sprightly. A CVT came with both engines for FWD, while AWD models got a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension design.

Our RS trim test vehicle had 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, and easy to park. However, it was loud on freeways, and the suspension couldn’t handle speed bumps well. Off-roading required caution to avoid damaging the underside. The Trailblazer averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

Every 2022 GMC Terrain had a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which provided great acceleration and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, was no longer available. The 1.5-liter could handle a 1,500-pound trailer.

The 1.5-liter engine’s 170 hp arrived at 5,600 rpm, with torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain’s competitors weren’t much more powerful, and the turbocharging helped at elevation. The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with Off-Road and Hill Descent Control systems available. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode but disappeared in AWD.

The Terrain AT4 had 17-inch wheels with 225/65 tires and 7.9 inches of ground clearance. It offered a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with thick tire sidewalls soaking up bumps. However, it scraped the ground off-road and even in some urban settings. The sport-terrain tires didn’t offer much grip in curves, and the Terrain felt dull to drive. The powertrain met expectations for fuel economy, averaging 26.2 mpg, slightly above the EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was small but mighty in functionality. It could hold something 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. There was plenty of room for four people, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat was roomy but shaped like a park bench, likely to ensure a flat load floor when folded down.

The trunk held 25.3 cubic feet of cargo, with a load floor offering two positions and storage slots on either side. Folding the back seat down provided 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat also folded flat for longer items.

The 2022 GMC Terrain simplified life with a roomy interior and numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. Our Terrain AT4 had power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The eight-way power driver’s seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat was roomy, with proper support, plenty of legroom, and softly padded front seatbacks. There was a rear USB charging port. GMC carved numerous storage slots and spots into the Terrain’s interior, including a small shelf in the dashboard and narrow shelves in the door panels and center console.

Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services with a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology was also standard.

Our test car had the 8-inch touchscreen with Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available. The infotainment system was easy to use, with physical controls for the Home button, Back button, and volume knob. Remote engine starting was available from LT trim, and a keyless entry keypad system and hands-free power tailgate were also offered.

GMC offered two infotainment systems for the 2022 Terrain. The SLE trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali had an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system.

Our test vehicle had the larger screen and Infotainment Package II, with connected nav, improved voice recognition, and the Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The head-up display was part of the Tech Package, which also included front and rear park assist sensors and a surround-view camera system. The Terrain also had a Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Teen Driver technology was also 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 earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. The ADAS worked beautifully during testing, being accurate, smooth, and rarely irritating.

Every 2022 GMC Terrain had a GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat.

Our Terrain AT4 had all these features, which worked effectively and subtly during testing. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly “Good” crash-test scores, with a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain’s crashworthiness at the time of the review.