2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was more than just a pretty face, though 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.

Buyers had five versions to choose from: 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, an RS trim with AWD, started at $28,195 and ended up at $33,000 with options. However, the cabin's hard plastic and the high price made the LT trim a more sensible choice.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Most trims featured 18-inch wheels, with the FWD XSE and Platinum trims boasting 20-inch wheels. The Sienna offered a range of trims: LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and Platinum, plus a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim.

The XLE trim was expected to be the starting point for value-conscious shoppers, adding standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It could seat seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater supporting three-across car seats in the middle row.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured 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 and a more sophisticated rear suspension.

The RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, making it zippy and nimble. However, it was loud on freeways, and the 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 Toyota Sienna, introduced in 2020, came with a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. The combined output was 245 horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The CVT transmission was noisy and lacked the acceleration of competitors like the Odyssey.

Despite this, the Sienna's chassis and steering were impressive, making it nimble and easy to drive around town. It offered several drive modes, but Normal mode was the most practical. Eco mode extended the CVT's simulated gears too much, and EV mode rarely worked as intended. Sport mode didn't significantly change the driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though small, 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 perfect 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 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with plenty of space for bags and a long shelf extending from the middle of the dash. It had a big bin in the center console and numerous cupholders. At over 200 inches long, the Sienna made excellent use of space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. Total cargo space was 101 cubic feet, though the middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom.

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, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface with core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It had seven USB ports and some physical buttons, which were practical but made the interface feel outdated. Android Auto required a wired connection and was cumbersome to access. Despite its quirks, the 9-inch touchscreen didn't look undersized, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system sounded good.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned top crash-test ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. It received 5 stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS for the 2022 model. While competitors offered additional features like Honda's CabinTalk and Chrysler's FamCam, the Sienna focused on essential safety.