2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact version of the Chevrolet Blazer, exuding a balanced SUV toughness without veering into exaggeration. Its intricate headlight and taillight designs, along with dark chrome trim, lent it an upscale appearance uncommon in its price range. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model boasted blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options in red, black, or white added a distinctive touch, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colors like Nitro Yellow. Inside, the Trailblazer Activ model showcased a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, providing a unique yet somewhat eclectic interior design.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of its predecessors while extending its length by over a foot. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out elements and dark gray wheels, creating a bold aesthetic. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with luxurious touches like black leather with gold stitching and walnut trim. Despite some hard plastics, the overall feel was justified for its price. The Grand Cherokee L's design combined traditional Jeep elements with modern features, ensuring it remained a stylish and enduring choice in the midsize SUV segment.

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 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-liter turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-liter engine offered both FWD and AWD options. The Trailblazer Activ test car featured AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-liter engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The vehicle's dampers were tuned for gravel roads but performed well on pavement, offering good ride quality despite some body roll and occasional bouncing over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems, and offered Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was considered its weakest element, with a sport mode that failed to enhance its performance significantly. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better towing capacity and sound. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, with air suspension allowing for smooth cornering and a comfortable ride. Jeep offered three 4WD systems, with the Grand Cherokee L's permanent 4WD providing superior traction compared to passive systems. The air suspension allowed for adjustable ground clearance, making the Grand Cherokee L a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided more rear legroom than its Buick Encore GX sibling and had comfortable rear seats for short trips. The Trailblazer's cargo space was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though it lagged behind competitors like the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds, and its interior storage solutions included a covered bin, deep tray, and cupholders, though the dashboard's small carve-out lacked a clear purpose.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended wheelbase provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and optional bench seating. The third row, while tight for adults, was suitable for children. The Grand Cherokee L offered excellent visibility and a well-organized dashboard with accessible controls. Cargo space was abundant, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it one of the most spacious in its class.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was smaller than current standards, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable. The 8-inch touchscreen provided clear graphics and intuitive menus, and the combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen with analog gauges effectively conveyed information.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel on lower trims, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation on higher trims. The Uconnect 5 system was generally user-friendly, despite some legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available as a standalone option on upper trims. The Grand Cherokee L offered advanced tech features like night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that played video and music independently. The vehicle's tech offerings were extensive, surpassing many competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer included standard safety features like 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 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking and night vision, with Active Driving Assist standard on the Summit Reserve trim.