2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt reduced the Navigator's elegance and presence. Despite this, the rest of the updates were well-received, maintaining the SUV's luxurious appeal. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen added to the vehicle's tech-savvy appeal.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer, striking a balance between SUV toughness and upscale appearance with intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. 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. Inside, the Trailblazer Activ test car had a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim, giving the interior a unique personality. However, the flat rear seat cushions made long road trips less appealing.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and the new electronic brake booster enhanced the driving experience. The Navigator handled various road conditions well, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. The fuel economy for the 4WD model was 18 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came with a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 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 was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had 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 ride quality was generally good, although some road imperfections caused uncomfortable bouncing. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It matched the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom and provided more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use but less so for long trips due to flat cushions. The Trailblazer offered 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. However, it had limited towing capacity, rated at only 1,000 pounds. The front storage included a covered bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray, with a small carve-out above the dashboard of uncertain function.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system included physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

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, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, it was well-sized for the Trailblazer's dashboard and easy to use. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist and Road Edge Detection aimed to enhance safety, although they were not experienced during testing. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to handle parking autonomously. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required constant driver attention.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features such as 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.