2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a compact exterior that belied its spacious interior. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The vehicle's sportier and more assertive design was complemented by standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to its modern aesthetic. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, alongside high-quality plastics. The dashboard's layered design emphasized cabin width, while the unique gear selection and infotainment controls added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a range of colour options for both the exterior and interior, allowing for a personalized luxury experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a more compact and rugged design, reminiscent of the larger Chevrolet Blazer. The Trailblazer's intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim elevated its appearance, making it more upscale than many competitors in its price range. The Activ and RS models provided unique styling cues, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS sported blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The Trailblazer's interior, though not as luxurious as the MDX, offered a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, adding personality to the cabin. Despite its smaller size, the Trailblazer managed to provide a distinctive and practical design, appealing to those seeking a stylish yet functional subcompact SUV.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, the MDX featured Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) as standard in Canada, enhancing its cornering capabilities through torque vectoring. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front and a revised multi-link suspension in the rear, improving both handling and ride quality. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly enhanced, providing a solid and confident driving experience. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences, whether for sporty driving or comfortable cruising.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It offered a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, while an optional 1.3-litre engine increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. The Trailblazer's drivetrain options included front-wheel drive with a CVT or all-wheel drive with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Activ model, with its AWD and 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent driving experience, though the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, but it did experience some body roll and bouncing over road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, which could be a drawback compared to competitors with automatic systems.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The second row featured a removable centre section and could slide to balance legroom between the second and third rows. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's flexible seating arrangement made it a practical choice for families. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,690 litres available with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access, enhancing the vehicle's utility. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes to choose from, adding to the MDX's luxurious ambiance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, while smaller, still offered decent utility for its class. It provided ample headroom and mid-pack legroom, with comfortable rear seats for short trips. Cargo space was respectable, with 716 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms, and its cargo space might be tight for larger loads. Up front, the Trailblazer featured clever storage solutions, including a covered bin and deep tray, though the small dashboard carve-out's purpose was unclear. Overall, the Trailblazer offered a practical interior for everyday use, though it couldn't match the MDX's spaciousness and flexibility.

The 2022 Acura MDX was packed with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification, available on higher trims. The 12.3-inch infotainment system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard, offering a configurable and user-friendly interface. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were also included. The MDX's tech features extended to convenience, with a head-up display, surround-view camera, and CabinTalk interior PA system available on select trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were optional. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the lack of a fully digital instrument cluster and smaller touchscreen size might not satisfy tech enthusiasts. However, the available features were well-integrated, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics, making the Trailblazer's infotainment system user-friendly.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all categories. It featured a high-strength steel structure and advanced safety systems, including low-speed braking control and collision mitigation throttle control. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, offering comprehensive driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available, providing a robust safety package for the Trailblazer.