2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stuck to a design language that was rich in symmetry, creases, and folds, championing minimalism. Its updated front styling for the year brought it in line with its larger siblings, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. The revamped grille now showcased VW's new logo, and there was an option for an illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, updated rear liftgate nameplate lettering, and new aluminum wheels were other exterior updates.

The Tiguan lineup for 2022 was streamlined to include S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, offering choices between FWD and AWD. The price spectrum ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL R-Line, starting at $37,970 MSRP, featured a sportier aesthetic, particularly with the trendy blacked-out SE R-Line Black. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels provided a chic look to our evaluation vehicle.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line exuded a refined vibe with perforated and piped leather upholstery, ambient cabin lighting with 15 color options, and new tech capabilities, including a touch-sensing steering wheel. Despite its upscale touches, the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Heated front seats and keyless entry were now standard across the lineup, with SE trims and above also including remote engine starting and optional brown upholstery choices.

Overall, small but significant updates kept the 2022 Tiguan fresh and appealing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer embraced a design reminiscent of its larger Blazer sibling, exuding SUV toughness without exaggerating it. Intricate headlight and taillight elements and dark chrome trim provided an upscale vibe not often seen in its price range. The Activ and RS trims brought unique visual tweaks, with the Activ emphasizing ruggedness through sporty front fascia and roof rails, while the RS leaned towards a racier look with blacked-out trim and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets. Contrasting roofs in red, black, or white could be combined with vibrant paint colors, like our Nitro Yellow Activ tester with a white roof.

Inside, the Trailblazer Activ featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and power-adjustable driver’s seat, though the front passenger seat was manually adjusted. The cabin mixed copper-toned and sparkly black plastic with gray seat inserts, making up for its otherwise simple black interior. Despite the cosmetic enhancements, the cabin did not scream "outdoor adventure" compared to competitors, though it had a distinctive touch with grab handles and a creased dashboard.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, with 221 pound-feet of torque kicking in at 1,900 rpm. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels by default, with an option for the 4Motion AWD system. This system intelligently directed power to the rear wheels when needed and disengaged when not, aimed at fuel efficiency.

The Tiguan featured various driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with AWD-specific modes like Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad. Hill Descent Control activated in the Offroad mode, operating up to 19 mph. With a ground clearance of 7.6 inches, it was more suited to well-trodden paths.

The suspension used MacPherson struts upfront and a multi-link independent setup at the rear, with braking managed by 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. The steering's variable assist ensured a responsive feel both in the city and on the highway. Despite a slight turbo lag on take-off, once the torque became effective, it delivered an enjoyable drive. Fuel economy figures were commendable at 24 mpg combined, as seen in Malibu test drives, but left some room for improvement against newer competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, sharing its platform with the Buick Encore GX, came with either a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque or an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was solely for FWD models utilizing a CVT, whereas the 1.3-liter variant came with both FWD and AWD options, the latter paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Testing the Trailblazer Activ, which had the 1.3-liter engine and AWD, revealed peppier throttle responses compared to the Encore GX. Despite some rough shifts from the nine-speed automatic, it was more satisfying in the Trailblazer. Activ-specific dampers were tailored for gravel road performance but proved effective on asphalt as well. The vehicle showcased typical body roll but remained composed and nimble with a generally smooth ride, barring occasional bouncing over road imperfections.

The Trailblazer utilized a selectable AWD system, requiring a button press to shift from FWD to AWD, unlike automatic competitor systems. Drive modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, though the difference in Sport mode was minimal. Despite its off-road styled features, anything harsher than dirt roads was ill-advised.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered generous interior space, rivalling smaller midsize SUVs. It boasted a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though not available with AWD 4Motion. Our SEL R-Line’s leather seats provided eight-way power adjustments with heating and ventilation, ensuring comfort coupled with excellent outward visibility and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Second-row seating was spacious and comfortable even for adults with rear air vents and a USB charging port in our test model. However, new touch controls for steering wheel and dashboard were harder to use compared to traditional buttons. Cargo capacity was impressive with figures matching midsize SUVs – 12 cubic feet with the third-row up, 33 cubic feet with it down, and up to 65.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded. Our AWD test vehicle offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the second-row and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer was smaller but still substantial, with a contemporary crossover design optimizing space. It matched the Kia Seltos in headroom, though legroom was only mid-pack, narrowly beating the Hyundai Kona and its Buick Encore GX sibling. The rear seats, while adequate for everyday use, weren’t ideal for long journeys due to relatively flat cushions.

Cargo space was decent at 25.3 cubic feet with seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, respectable but behind the Kia Seltos. Compared to others, the Honda HR-V offered slightly varied cargo capacities. Notably, the Trailblazer’s cargo capacity was barely sufficient for a weekend trip with three passengers. Towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds.

For small-item storage, the Trailblazer maximized space with a covered bin, deep tray, cupholders, phone storage, and a quirky dashboard notch whose practicality remained questionable in hard braking situations.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, the SEL R-Line featuring a sophisticated 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system offered a glass-covered 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, with the SEL R-Line upgrading to a Fender premium audio system. However, true voice recognition required a $9 annual subscription and wasn’t reliably functional in our test. Car-Net services included remote engine start, stolen vehicle location, and emergency assistance at additional yearly costs. Park Assist was a notable feature for the SEL R-Line.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer had a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch screen, Bose audio, and wireless charging. The infotainment system was intuitive without needing larger displays, balancing analog gauges and a small digital screen efficiently. Smart design touches added utility in everyday driving.

For the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, standard safety included Front Assist and Side Assist on the base model. Advanced features in the IQ Drive suite, such as Travel Assist for adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, and Emergency Assist for unresponsive driver scenarios, improved safety where engaged correctly. The 2021Top Safety Pick from the IIHS indicated solid safety credentials likely enhanced by newer standard LEDs and driver aids.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a comprehensive safety suite with forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane assist, and Teen Driver system. Optional extras included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with top scores across crash tests and prevention tech, though standard headlights were rated average. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, affirming its robust safety profile.