2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design, characterized by a similar "daylight opening" to its competitors, did little to stand out. While the CR-V featured a few distinguishing elements like its grille and chromed plastic accents, it was clear that aesthetics were not the primary selling point. The colour palette offered limited variety, with a predominance of neutral tones, making vibrant options like Radiant Red a rare find on dealership lots. Inside, the CR-V presented a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, particularly in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted a more striking design, with well-executed proportions and character lines. The option for a contrasting roof colour in black, white, or red added to its visual appeal. Available in four trims, the Trailblazer offered a range of features and pricing, with AWD standard on most trims except the LT. The RS trim, in particular, stood out with its sporty 18-inch wheels and a more engaging driving experience. However, the interior was marred by hard plastics, detracting from its overall appeal despite its stylish design.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain, consistent across all trims, provided smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive, with a CVT that maintained constant engine revs. The CR-V's handling was predictable, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, offering decent ride quality. FWD was standard, with AWD available as an option, aligning with most competitors except the Subaru Forester, which offered standard AWD.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with the Canadian market receiving the 1.3-litre variant producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The AWD models benefited from a nine-speed automatic transmission, enhancing the driving experience compared to the FWD's CVT. The Trailblazer's light weight and turbocharged engine made it nimble and fun to drive, especially in Sport mode. However, it was noisy on highways, and its suspension struggled with speed bumps. Fuel efficiency was slightly below expectations, averaging 9.0 L/100 km in combined driving, compared to the official rating of 8.4 L/100 km with AWD.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4, with 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free power tailgate options, enhancing convenience. Roof rails were standard on most trims, adding to its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its compact size, offered impressive functionality. It accommodated four passengers comfortably, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat, though flat, provided ample legroom and folded to create a flat load floor. The Trailblazer's cargo area held 716 litres, expanding to 1,540 litres with the rear seats down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the transport of long items like surfboards.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Audio systems varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Touring trim also featured a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a choice between a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, with standard Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system supported Chevrolet Connected Services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The RS trim included a 7-speaker Bose audio system and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy navigation. Remote engine starting and a keyless entry keypad were available, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing suite as standard, including a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring, which was included from the Sport trim upwards.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with its ADAS performing smoothly during testing.