2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand underwent a significant transformation, developing new vehicle platforms from scratch. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose recalled the classic 245 wagon. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered both Nappa leather and a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, with our test car featuring leather seats, which proved comfortable during a week of high temperatures and humidity.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer had more to offer than just good looks, but its appealing styling certainly helped. Chevrolet nailed the proportions, character lines, and small details, with the available black- or white-painted roof adding to its charm. The Trailblazer looked good even in the base L trim, which was impressive.

Buyers had five versions to choose from: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $20,195 to $26,695, plus a $1,195 destination charge. AWD was available for all but the L trim, with varying costs depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle, an RS trim with AWD, started at $28,195 and reached $33,000 with options. However, the cabin was filled with hard plastic, and the rear seat, though roomy, was shaped like a park bench. The Trailblazer's trunk held 25.3 cubic feet of cargo, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T5 models were FWD with optional AWD, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 required Premium gasoline, with the T5 FWD achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T5 AWD at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD was rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts.

The XC90 handled superbly, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration from the T8 Inscription extended range model. The electric motor provided early torque, eliminating turbo lag and smoothing power delivery, making the XC90 fun to drive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines, with the standard 1.2-liter engine producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The larger 1.3-liter engine offered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, making the Trailblazer feel sprightly. Both engines came with a CVT for FWD models, while AWD models added a nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension.

Our RS trim test vehicle had 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, providing a zippy and nimble driving experience. The Trailblazer was fun to drive around town and on narrow, winding roads, with a Sport driving mode enhancing its sporty feel. However, it was loud on freeways, and the suspension struggled with speed bumps and off-road terrain. The Trailblazer averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six- and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The XC90's interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin with a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a cool sanctuary from the weather.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though small, was highly functional. It could hold something 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed and had plenty of room for four people. Our RS trim test vehicle had a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, making it easy to find a perfect driving position. The rear seat was roomy but had flat cushions, likely to ensure a flat load floor when folded.

The Trailblazer's trunk held 25.3 cubic feet of cargo, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the Trailblazer to carry long items like a surfboard.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering familiar smartphone gestures. However, the system was glitchy and slow to respond, working better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 also had a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a $1,650 Advanced package with a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Our test car had the larger touchscreen, Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available. The system was easy to use, with physical controls for essential functions. The Trailblazer also offered remote engine starting, a keyless entry keypad system, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned top crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.