2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, launched originally in North America for the 1996 model year, enjoyed a prestigious reputation with buyers. Initially, it stood out as a tiny but compelling alternative to the behemoth SUVs dominating the market. Young buyers favored the RAV4, which creatively stood for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive." This model's uniqueness encouraged competitors like Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai to introduce similar car-based SUVs, humorously dubbed "cute-utes."

Despite the "cute-ute" nickname, the RAV4 matured significantly over its five generations, evolving in size and sophistication to become a leading sales figure in the United States. The 2022 version, stemming from a 2019 redesign, embraced the contemporary design ethos of modern crossovers. Though it blended into the crossover crowd at first glance, a closer look revealed distinctive angular wheel arches and crisp lines juxtaposed with organic body-side shapes. The headlight design, snub-nosed grille, and expressive lower fascia lent it an aggressive yet playful demeanor, a testament to Toyota's meticulous fit and finish.

Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colors, underpinned by a straightforward center stack. The touchscreen interface was placed strategically atop the dash's center to minimize driver distractions. A deep dive into the interior design revealed a geometric pattern reminiscent of circuit boards, tying together elements from the cloth seat inserts to the sill plates and dash pieces. The Adventure-trim test vehicle even sported 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels adorned with this pattern.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer bore a familial resemblance to the Chevrolet Blazer, though in a more compact form. This design bestowed the Trailblazer with a balanced mix of rugged SUV toughness and refined elements like intricate lighting and dark chrome trim. These touches lent the Trailblazer a more upscale appearance than many competitors in its price range.

The Trailblazer's Activ and RS models had unique styling accents, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia with a faux skid plate, roof rails, and 17-inch Hankook Sport Terrain tires. In contrast, the RS leaned into sportiness, showcasing blacked-out trim, a mesh grille, and dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips. Both models offered contrasting roof colors, adding a distinctive flair that resonated with buyers.

Inside the Trailblazer Activ test car, a blend of leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power-adjustable driver’s seat offered comfort and convenience, although the absence of a power front passenger seat was noted. Copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim with gray seat inserts added visual interest to the otherwise black interior, integrating design touches like center console grab handles and creased dashboard elements for a distinctive vibe.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 presented buyers with three distinct powertrains. The gasoline-only version featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, although all-wheel drive (AWD) was available across trims. Fuel economy stood at 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway for FWD models, and 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway for AWD variants.

The RAV4 Hybrid employed the same 2.5-liter engine, coupled with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, delivering 217 combined horsepower via an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The Hybrid impressed with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

The standout RAV4 Prime combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, generating a remarkable 302 horsepower. This plug-in hybrid also featured AWD and an eCVT, achieving ratings of 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 94 MPGe combined. The Prime's electric-only range of 42 miles further elevated its appeal, complemented by a sophisticated charging setup offering various recharge times based on the charger used.

Our test vehicle, the gasoline Adventure AWD model, showcased the engine's smooth power delivery and responsive eight-speed transmission. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder provided a seamless driving experience and immediate power delivery without turbo lag. The handling also received praise, with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension ensuring a composed and nimble ride. The AWD models came with Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring, enhancing cornering and handling precision.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer derived its power from two turbocharged three-cylinder engines shared with Buick's Encore GX. The base 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 1.3-liter variant offered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was limited to FWD models equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), whereas the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. AWD models benefited from a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our Trailblazer Activ test car featured the 1.3-liter engine and AWD, leading to a more responsive drive compared to the Encore GX. The engine's performance delivered a robust response across different driving conditions, albeit with occasional rough shifts from the nine-speed automatic. The Activ-specific dampers, tuned for gravel road performance, worked well on pavement but occasionally led to uncomfortable bouncing on uneven surfaces.

The selectable AWD system in the Trailblazer required manual engagement, a less intuitive setup compared to competitors with automatic AWD engagement. Drive modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, though the Sport mode's impact on steering and shifting was subtle.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4’s evolution manifested in impressive cargo capacity and passenger comfort. Classified as a small SUV by the EPA, it offered 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. Depending on the setup, the RAV4 could handle a payload of 1,050-1,230 pounds.

Towing capacity was equally impressive, with LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited grades capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, while Adventure and TRD Off-Road models could tow up to 3,500 pounds. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow 1,750 pounds, and the RAV4 Prime supported towing up to 2,500 pounds, offering flexible utility for different needs.

Interior space in the RAV4 accommodated four adults comfortably, with sufficient legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. The front seats were separated by a spacious center console laden with cupholders and storage compartments. The rear seats, though less spacious in the middle position, still offered a decent level of comfort for passengers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, one of the smallest SUVs, still managed to offer reasonable utility. It matched rivals like the Kia Seltos on headroom and surpassed the Hyundai Kona but lagged slightly in legroom. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed more space compared to the Buick Encore GX, but long trips in the back row were less desirable due to firm cushions.

Cargo-wise, the Trailblazer provided 25.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet when folded. Though respectable, these figures were overshadowed by rivals like the Kia Seltos. Towing capacity was also limited to 1,000 pounds, a constraint for buyers needing more utility.

In the front, designers maximized limited space with clever storage solutions including covered bins, deep trays, cupholders, and a phone tray. However, a curious carve-out above the dashboard left its purpose ambiguous.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 excelled in technology offerings, starting with a base 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, and compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Upper trim levels received a 9-inch touchscreen, and the highest grades boasted an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation—though smartphone integration reduced the reliance on factory navigation systems.

The RAV4 Prime stood out further with five USB ports, multiple auxiliary power outlets, blue ambient illumination, and optional amenities like a bird’s-eye view camera and a head-up display.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a similar base setup with a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades 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 these options, the Trailblazer’s tech offerings might not satisfy tech-savvy buyers fully, due to the relatively small optional touchscreen and absence of a fully digital instrument cluster. Nonetheless, the available infotainment system provided efficient operation with easy-to-read graphics and intuitive menus.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 equipped standard features under Toyota’s Star Safety System, included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Additional features included LATCH child-seat anchors and child-guard locks on rear doors. Safety Connect offered a range of emergency services.

The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite added advanced driver-assist systems like pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing, and road sign assist, with higher grades receiving blind-spot monitoring and parking assist options.

The 2022 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid achieved top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, with the RAV4 Prime scoring slightly better in side-impact tests.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and Teen Driver mode. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

The Trailblazer earned the prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with high marks in crash tests and front-crash prevention technology.