2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was often recommended for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing seats, and the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents without hassle. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded or removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior was spacious and well-designed, with quality materials and a user-friendly layout.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was praised for its appealing styling and practical design. It came in five trims, with the RS trim offering a sporty look and features like 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Trailblazer's cabin, though filled with hard plastic, had a sense of style and functionality. It provided ample room for four passengers and a versatile cargo area that could hold up to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Trailblazer's high seating position made it easy to get in and out, and its compact size made it nimble and easy to park.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive only, with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While it lacked the hybrid options of some competitors, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to overheat on long descents, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine, paired with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided a more satisfying driving experience. The Trailblazer was nimble and fun to drive, especially in RS trim with its sporty suspension and 18-inch wheels. However, it was loud on the freeway and had a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces. The Trailblazer averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured wide-opening doors and a low step-in height, making it easy to enter and exit. The Elite trim offered quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, was highly functional. It offered ample room for four passengers, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat, though flat and bench-like, provided decent legroom. The Trailblazer's cargo area held 25.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the Trailblazer to carry items up to 8.5 feet long.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and wireless headphones. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was outdated compared to rivals, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS trim added Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls and a useful voice recognition system. The Trailblazer also offered remote engine starting and a keyless entry keypad system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety features could be overly sensitive and abrupt. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer's safety systems were smooth and accurate, and it earned top crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.