2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was more than just a pretty face. Its appealing styling, with well-proportioned character 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 reached $33,000 with options. However, the cabin was filled with hard plastic, making it hard to justify the high price.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, with its fourth-generation JL design, was a rugged, no-nonsense SUV. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, it offered the option to remove the doors for an open-air experience. The windshield could fold down, and various top options allowed for open-air exploring. The Wrangler featured wide fenders, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The new limited-edition Reign purple paint added a touch of flair. Inside, the Wrangler was practical with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter.

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 of torque at 1,600 rpm, making the Trailblazer feel lively. A CVT came with both engines for FWD, but AWD models got a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension. The RS trim featured 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, making it nimble and fun to drive. However, the Trailblazer was loud on freeways and had a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces. It averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with solid axles front and rear and optional differential lockers. It offered various engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft, and the powerful 6.4-liter V8 in the Rubicon 392 with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid provided 21 miles of all-electric range. Our test vehicle, the Rubicon 392, featured 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires and a full-time 4WD system, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the 392 had issues with brakes and steering, which were not as problematic in other trims. The Wrangler’s off-road capabilities were enhanced by different transfer cases, with the Xtreme Recon package offering a crawl ratio of 58:1.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, was highly functional. It could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The rear seat was roomy but had flat cushions, 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 seats down. The front passenger seat also folded flat for additional cargo space.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available in the 392 or with a cold-weather package. The rear seat could fit three in the four-door models, but it was a tight fit, and the small rear doors made access difficult. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and tiny glove box and center consoles. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or in sections, and the Sky One-Touch power soft top provided an easy open-air experience. The Wrangler had ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports and a 115-volt outlet.

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

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect system, with our tester featuring the larger 8.4-inch screen. The system had no hard buttons, making it initially seem complicated, but it was intuitive once familiar. Jeep’s off-road pages provided useful information for off-roading. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The Wrangler had practical tech features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories but lacked advanced features like a digital key or extensive over-the-air updates.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, offering forward-collision warning, 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 Wrangler had limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the 392 model or available as options. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some trims’ headlights rated Poor. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings.