2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a bold departure from the standard Outback, offering a rugged aesthetic that pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it sat higher than its siblings, resembling more of an off-road vehicle. The Wilderness featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all complemented by a new Geyser Blue paint option. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching adding to its rugged charm. The Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT in Subaru's lineup, with a price tag of $36,995 plus destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented a more compact and stylish appearance, reminiscent of a mini Chevrolet Blazer. It balanced SUV toughness with upscale details like intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS embraced a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The Trailblazer's contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, and the interior featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer managed to offer a comfortable and practical cabin, making it a strong contender in the subcompact crossover segment.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Wilderness achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback's CVT, while offering eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, was less satisfying than a dual-clutch automatic transmission might have been. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures. Its redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, while the dual function X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. An optional 1.3-liter turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The Trailblazer's AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models used a CVT. The Activ model, with its AWD and 1.3-liter engine, provided a more pleasant driving experience than its Buick counterpart. The Trailblazer's dampers were tuned for gravel roads, offering a composed ride on pavement despite some body roll. Its selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. The Trailblazer also offered Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences between them were subtle.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant material that kept moisture at bay but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment and the front passenger seat 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three children, with heated seats and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area offered 32.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback's robust roof rack supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. Its rear seats were comfortable for short trips, though the flat cushions made long journeys less appealing. The Trailblazer's cargo space measured 25.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, respectable for the segment. Up front, the Trailblazer featured a covered storage bin, a deep tray, and cupholders, maximizing limited space. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds, reflecting its subcompact nature.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the dashboard. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required touchscreen interaction. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which offered superior functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, a surprising omission given its target demographic. However, it featured a PIN code entry system, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

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 Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were available. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, its 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information without the need for a fully digital setup.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized safety with its EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring 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, with high marks for crash prevention technology.