2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer midsize crossover SUV, was a stylish subcompact vehicle. It featured dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, stacked triple front lights reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes similar to the Kia Soul. The Activ trim added a rugged appearance with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. The interior design was excellent, with a well-thought-out control layout, useful storage, and attractive detailing. However, the presence of hard shiny plastic inside was less acceptable at higher price points.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, available in multiple trims including the new Wilderness, emphasized functionality and practicality. The Wilderness trim featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a rugged look. Inside, the Forester focused on function over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that exuded quality construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be less than ideal. Overall, the Forester's interior was well-made, with the Wilderness trim offering unique copper-colored stitching and accents.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models had a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Higher trims, including the Activ AWD, featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Activ AWD's powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. The Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. However, the vehicle's driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and suspension impact harshness over bumps.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester averaged 25.9 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA rating of 26 mpg. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode made the Forester acceptably energetic. The dual-function X-Mode system improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension provided a smooth ride. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior had its pros and cons. The leatherette seats were nice but tended to trap sweat, and the automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and lacked air conditioning vents. The cargo space was decent, with 25.3 cubic feet expanding to 54.4 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo-toting length.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds. The Forester's cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) when the rear seats were folded down. The squared-off cargo area and new cargo hooks added to its practicality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system had a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Teen Driver technology, and Chevrolet Connected Access services with a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system for Activ and RS trims included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization functions. The Trailblazer also offered USB-A and USB-C charging ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and menu navigation.

The 2022 Subaru Forester's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Higher trims, including Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 10 airbags, forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and subscription-based automatic collision notification service. Optional safety features included a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist had some inconsistencies, and crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.