2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a dream for those who loved black-on-black vehicles, despite the challenge of keeping them clean. This model, available in Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, or Nori Green Pearl, arrived in Black Onyx for the review. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome from the exterior, transforming the SUV into a sleek, dark presence. However, it took less than a day for a layer of dust to make the Lexus look old and shabby. The GX's design, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002, appeared dated despite the signature Lexus spindle grille and modern LED headlights. Inside, the cabin's quality was undeniable, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, striking a balance between SUV toughness and upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS sporting a boy-racer aesthetic. The contrasting roofs in red, black, or white added a distinctive touch, especially with the Nitro Yellow paint on the Activ tester. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin had a mix of leatherette upholstery, copper-toned, and sparkly black plastic trim, giving it a unique personality. While it didn't scream "outdoor adventure," the design touches made it distinctive.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its high drag coefficient of 0.35 and a fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving, the GX returned 16.8 mpg during testing. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) enhanced the GX's stability and off-road capability, making it surprisingly agreeable to drive despite its slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates for those venturing into the backcountry.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It offered a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine came with front-wheel drive (FWD) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-liter engine, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, worked well on pavement, though some bouncing over road imperfections was noted. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. The Trailblazer also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences were subtle.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated, but accessing the rear seats was challenging due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space when in use. The GX's cargo capacity was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate added to the loading hassle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It matched the Kia Seltos in headroom and provided more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX. The rear seats were comfortable for short trips but less so for long journeys. The Trailblazer's cargo space was 25.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, respectable but behind the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds. Up front, the designers maximized space with a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. A small carve-out above the dashboard's function was unclear.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant upgrade. The screen, positioned at the top of the center control panel, was easy to see and use, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and a CD player. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system was available but not in the test vehicle. The stereo controls, located under the off-roading controls, were harder to grasp and turn. The dual-screen view allowed simultaneous navigation and radio display, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. Despite the smaller optional touchscreen, the system was user-friendly with large graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information. Smart touches like a person-shaped icon for the pedestrian-detection system and an engine start/stop indicator aided comprehension.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally a teenager, lacked crash-test ratings. It featured Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked modern driving aids like lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous highway driving systems.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.