Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but drew design inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The 2019 refresh carried over to 2021, making previously optional features standard. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, reminiscent of the Wrangler. It offered various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, known for its appealing styling, got the proportions, character lines, and small details right. The available black- or white-painted roof added to its charm. It came in five trims: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $20,195 to $26,695. AWD was available for all but the L trim, with varying costs depending on the trim. The RS trim, with AWD, started at $28,195, but options could raise the price to $33,000. Despite its stylish exterior, the cabin was filled with hard plastic, though it had a sense of style.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or 4WD. The turbocharged engine provided better refinement and torque, though the automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade had a solid ride quality, was maneuverable in tight spaces, and offered a terrain management system with various drive modes. The Trailhawk trim, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was the most capable off-road.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer used turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The base 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. Both engines came with a CVT for FWD, but AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The AWD setup also featured a more sophisticated rear suspension. The RS trim, with 18-inch aluminum wheels and all-season tires, provided a zippy and nimble driving experience. However, the Trailblazer was loud on freeways and had a bouncy ride on undulating surfaces. It averaged 26.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom in both rows, with great front legroom and adequate rear legroom. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, was highly functional. It could hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim had a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, making it easy to find a perfect driving position. The rear seat, though roomy with plenty of legroom, had flat cushions for a flat load floor when folded. The trunk offered 25.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The front passenger seat also folded flat for larger items.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. The system supported Chevrolet Connected Services, including a WiFi hotspot. The larger touchscreen included Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy navigation. The Trailblazer also offered a keyless entry keypad system and a hands-free power tailgate.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, including 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 both the NHTSA and IIHS.