2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was more than just a pretty face, though its appealing styling certainly added to its charm. Chevrolet nailed the proportions, character lines, and small details, with the option of a black- or white-painted roof enhancing its allure. Even in its base L trim, the Trailblazer managed to look good, which was quite a feat. With five versions available—L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS—the Trailblazer offered a range of choices, with pricing from $20,195 to $26,695, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The RS trim, with AWD, started at $28,195, but options could push the price to $33,000, which seemed excessive given the hard plastic-filled cabin, despite its stylish interior.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models, maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The ribbed detailing added muscle to its profile, combining SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models boasted unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector that added a baroque spaceship feel. The interior offered a variety of color options, with Nappa leather upholstery in the Sport Prestige test car, though base models had leatherette seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured turbocharged three-cylinder engines, with the standard 1.2-liter engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. However, the larger 1.3-liter engine was preferred, offering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm, making the Trailblazer feel lively. Both engines came with a CVT for FWD, but AWD models included a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension for improved ride and handling. The RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, providing a zippy and nimble driving experience. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, 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 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70 excelled on highways, though the firm ride on 21-inch wheels detracted from its luxury feel.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, offered impressive functionality. It could accommodate four people comfortably, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat, though roomy, had flat cushions for a flat load floor when folded. The Trailblazer provided 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the SUV to carry items up to 8.5 feet long.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. It matched the front-seat headroom of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the back-seat headroom of the BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The Sport Prestige test car featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with options for Chevrolet Connected Services and a WiFi hotspot. The test car had an 8-inch screen with Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy navigation. Additional tech included remote engine starting, a keyless entry keypad, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, with a glass rotary controller for added functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation, driver profiles, and valet mode, free for three years.

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

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.