2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both conservative and timeless. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SUV was available in four trims: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, showcased a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. The touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system added a modern touch, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with additional options like remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer impressed with its appealing styling, featuring well-proportioned lines and the option for a black- or white-painted roof. Available in five trims—L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS—the Trailblazer ranged in price from $20,195 to $26,695. Our RS trim test vehicle, equipped with AWD and additional options, had a sticker price of $33,000. Despite its higher price, the Trailblazer's cabin was filled with hard plastic, though it maintained a sense of style.

The Trailblazer's interior was functional, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and a high seating position for easy entry and exit. The rear seat offered ample legroom but was less comfortable due to its flat cushions. Cargo space was generous, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the Trailblazer to accommodate long items like surfboards.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with the option for VW’s 4Motion AWD system. The AWD system could transfer up to half of the power to the rear wheels and featured various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, as well as Offroad settings.

The Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with vented front discs and solid rear discs. The variable assist steering provided a nimble and responsive driving experience, though the engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. While enjoyable to drive, the Tiguan's performance could have benefited from more power.

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 a nine-speed automatic transmission in AWD models, provided a more satisfying driving experience. The AWD system also featured a more sophisticated rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The Trailblazer RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires, offering a zippy and nimble driving experience. The SUV was fun to drive around town and on winding roads, with a Sport driving mode enhancing its sporty feel. However, the Trailblazer was loud on freeways, and its suspension struggled with speed bumps and off-road terrain. Our test vehicle averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The interior featured a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while AWD models offered more cargo space. Our SEL R-Line test vehicle had comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port.

Cargo space in the Tiguan was impressive, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded down in AWD models. FWD models with the third-row seat had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added a modern touch but could be challenging to use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered plenty of functionality despite its small size. The interior had room for four people, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and a high seating position for easy entry and exit. The rear seat provided ample legroom but was less comfortable due to its flat cushions. Cargo space was generous, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the Trailblazer to accommodate long items.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Natural voice recognition was available with a Plus Speech upgrade, but it required an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, offering remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan and Hotspot plan were available as upgrades, with additional features like automatic crash notification and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services with a WiFi hotspot. Our test vehicle had the larger touchscreen, Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was also available.

The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with appealing graphics, a smartphone-style interface, and physical controls for easy operation. Remote engine starting was available starting with LT trim, and a keyless entry keypad system allowed for convenient access without the key fob. A hands-free power tailgate was also available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the SUV to a safe stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve that rating.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.