2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was more than just a pretty face. Its appealing styling, with well-proportioned lines and small details, made it stand out. The available black- or white-painted roof added to its charm. Even the base L trim looked good, which was quite a feat. The Trailblazer came in five versions: 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 RS trim test vehicle, equipped with AWD, started at $28,195 and ended up at $33,000 with options. However, the interior, filled with hard plastic, made it hard to justify the high price.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, reflected a refined Jeep design ethos. It moved away from the rugged look, adopting a more upscale appearance similar to the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The Compass Sport and Latitude models got new 17-inch wheels, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Compass Red editions were available in black or silver paint. Jeep offered the Compass in five core trim levels, plus special editions, with base prices ranging from just under $32,000 to over $40,000. Our Limited trim test vehicle, loaded with options, had an MSRP of $45,800. The interior, with its two-tone black and gray cabin and caramel accents, looked and felt upscale, though the high price seemed excessive.

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. The latter made the Trailblazer feel sprightly, especially with AWD, which came with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim, with 18-inch aluminum wheels and 22/55 all-season tires, provided a zippy and nimble driving experience. However, the Trailblazer was loud on freeways, and its suspension struggled with speed bumps. 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.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally got a satisfying powertrain with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 rpm to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Jeep Active Drive AWD system ensured smooth power delivery. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, aggressive tires, skid plates, and recovery hooks. On pavement, the Compass Limited felt gutsy, though the engine wasn't as strong as it could be. The EPA rated it at 27 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg. The Compass handled well but had significant body motions on uneven surfaces. The Trailhawk struggled on mud and loose dirt but excelled in Rock mode.

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 test vehicle had a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, making it easy to find a perfect driving position. The rear seat was roomy but shaped like a park bench, likely to ensure a flat load floor when folded. The trunk offered 25.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat for carrying long items.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults in both rows of seats. It featured an air filtration system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a dual-pane sunroof. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather seats available on higher trims. The Limited trim test vehicle had an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered enough space for adults, though legroom was snug. Interior storage was acceptable, with a small bin under the center armrest. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A manually-adjustable front passenger seat folded in half for carrying long items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services with a WiFi hotspot. Our test car had the larger touchscreen, Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. The system was easy to use, with physical controls for essential functions. Other available technologies included remote engine starting, a keyless entry keypad system, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. It supported Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services with WiFi and an Alexa Skill. Depending on the trim, it paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. Our Limited test vehicle had all these features, including an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in. The parking assist system could autonomously steer the Compass into parking spaces, and the surround-view camera was useful.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. 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 IIHS.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The NHTSA had not published crash-test results for the 2023 Compass, and the IIHS had incomplete test results.