2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, which was a positive attribute. It balanced SUV toughness without appearing exaggerated, and details like intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, gave it a more upscale look than many vehicles in its price range. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier appearance. The contrasting roofs in red, black, or white added a distinctive and retro touch, especially with the Nitro Yellow paint on the Activ model.

Inside, the Trailblazer Activ test car had a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim with gray seat inserts added personality to the otherwise black interior. Design touches like grab handles around the center console and the creased look of the dashboard and air vents made the cabin distinctive, even if it didn’t scream “outdoor adventure.”

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022, entered 2023 without significant updates. The test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV streaming capability was included, although it went unused by the teenagers in the test. The MSRP for the test vehicle was $104,715, including a $1,695 destination charge.

The Navigator’s interior was all black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. The ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added contrast and character at night. Overall, the Navigator Reserve’s cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, although the chrome plastic on the switchgear didn’t always convey luxury.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 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 (FWD), while the 1.3-liter engine could be had with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD, the nine-speed automatic, and the 1.3-liter engine. The throttle response was better in the Trailblazer compared to the Buick Encore GX, providing a decent amount of shove and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic’s lack of refinement was noticeable with a few rough shifts. The Activ model’s dampers, tuned for better performance on gravel roads, worked well on pavement, although there was some uncomfortable bouncing over certain road imperfections. The Trailblazer had a selectable AWD system, requiring the driver to press a button to switch from FWD to AWD, unlike most competitors that do this automatically. It also had Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, but the differences between them were minimal.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving, but averaged 15.6 mpg on the Southern California testing loop. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the optional towing package. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview used the front camera to identify upcoming bumps and prepare the suspension.

In Normal mode, the Navigator’s ride was not agreeable, with the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires causing it to ride like a truck over smaller cracks and bumps while floating over dips. Excite mode stiffened the suspension and quickened the powertrain’s pulse, but had a detrimental effect on fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the big wheels and wide tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In city and suburban settings, the Navigator’s size was a liability, making it difficult to navigate tight spaces and parking garages.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on sale, was still a substantial vehicle. It was 3.4 inches wider and about an inch taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer four-door, although almost 10 inches shorter in length. The Trailblazer’s wheelbase was about three inches longer, benefiting passenger space. It offered decent utility compared to its rivals, matching the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom, with mid-pack legroom. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use, but the flat cushions made long road trips less appealing.

The Trailblazer had 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with the 60/40-split folding second row folded. These figures were respectable for the segment, although behind the Kia Seltos. The Honda HR-V offered slightly less cargo space with the rear seats up, but slightly more with the rear seats folded. The Trailblazer’s cargo capacity was limited for a weekend’s worth of luggage for three people, and it was only rated to tow 1,000 pounds. Up front, designers maximized limited space with a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. There was also a small carve-out above the dashboard, although its function was unclear.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for a cavernous cargo area. Power-deploying running boards made it easier to enter and exit the cabin. The test vehicle had Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort for any trip. The second-row captain’s chairs were roomy with wide armrests, and the third-row seat accommodated taller and larger adults comfortably.

Storage space was generous throughout the Navigator, with a large tray under the center console and smaller ones for third-row passengers. The Navigator L model provided substantially more cargo space behind the third-row seat (19.3 vs. 34.3 cubic feet), the second row (57.5 vs. 73.3 cubic feet), and the front seats (103.3 vs. 120.2 cubic feet). The Navigator’s interior was clean and upscale, with covers to hide the cupholders and wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features 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. While the optional touchscreen was relatively small by current standards, it was perfectly sized for the Trailblazer’s dashboard, with large, easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges conveyed information effectively, with smart touches like a person-shaped icon for the pedestrian-detection system and an indicator for the engine start/stop system.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an available widescreen head-up display, a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system, and a control screen on the back of the center console. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant proved excellent, easily understanding and responding to commands. The test vehicle also had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing lush sound. Through the Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology, owners could unlock, start, and drive the Navigator using a digital key. The Lincoln Play system installed two touchscreens for rear-seat passengers, although the teenagers in the test preferred their smartphones and ear buds.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer was named a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), receiving top “Good” scores in all crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Trailblazer a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the frontal and side crash-test categories, and four stars in rollover crash testing.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a long list of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), bundled in the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. The test vehicle had both collections, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise was a hands-free driving assist system for approximately 130,000 miles of North American highways. However, it struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, and lacked a lane-change assist function. The Navigator responded to sudden lane changes by other motorists with excessive braking, causing suspension dive and instability. The NHTSA gave the Navigator a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating, but no full assessment was available from either the NHTSA or the IIHS.