Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully modernized its exterior. This refresh harmonized the Edge's look with Ford's newer designs, making it a cleaner-looking alternative to the more elaborate Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured extra chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance upgrades and higher price tag. However, the interior of the Edge began to show its age, with a design that seemed less fresh and somewhat awkward due to tweaks for new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models had leather upholstery, and the ST models included sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, was praised for its appealing styling. 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 quite a feat. It came in five versions: 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. The RS trim, which we tested, came with AWD and a starting price of $28,195, but options raised the sticker price to $33,000. Despite its high price, the Trailblazer's cabin was filled with hard plastic, though it had a sense of style.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The Edge ST performance model featured an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel. The ST came with standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and model-specific suspension tuning. An optional package added upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. The Edge's towing capacities were respectable, with a maximum of 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST, though competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the larger 1.3-liter engine offered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with a CVT for FWD models, while AWD models received a more satisfying nine-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension design. The RS trim, with its 18-inch aluminum wheels and 22/55 all-season tires, provided a zippy and nimble driving experience. The Trailblazer was fun to drive around town and on narrow, winding roads, with a Sport driving mode that added to 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 official EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Edge remained competitive in interior space, offering the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, but the narrow width limited its usefulness. The raised console provided a storage nook below, though it was difficult to reach and easy to forget items placed there.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, excelled in functionality. It featured a useful tray embedded into the dashboard and could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The 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 with plenty of legroom but had flat cushions for a flat load floor when folded down. The trunk offered 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat, accommodating larger items like surfboards.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge also had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for the 2021 model year. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it user-friendly, and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were notable features not offered by all competitors.

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. The test vehicle had the larger touchscreen, Alexa Built-in technology, access to Spotify and SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available. The Trailblazer's infotainment system was easy to use, with appealing graphics, a smartphone-style user experience, and a useful voice recognition system. Physical controls below the display added to its user-friendliness. Remote engine starting was available from the LT trim, and a keyless entry keypad system was also offered.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” scoring top ratings in all crash tests and front crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations. It received lower ratings for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and headlights. The NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, along with Evasive Steering Assist, was standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. It also featured Teen Driver technology for monitoring young drivers. 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 features included blind-spot warning with lane-change assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer's ADAS performed well during testing, and it earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.