2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was more than just a pretty face, though its appealing styling certainly added to its charm. Chevrolet nailed the proportions, character lines, and small details, making the Trailblazer stand out. The option of a black, white, or red-painted roof further enhanced its visual appeal. In Canada, the Trailblazer was available in four trims: LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $25,998 to $30,298, plus a $1,900 destination charge from its South Korean factory. AWD was standard on all trims except the LT, which featured a CVT instead of the usual 9-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim, priced at $30,298, could reach $37,653 with options, but the interior's hard plastic made it hard to justify the cost.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained its familiar yet attractive look. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding oversized grilles and instead featuring slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake. The signature "racetrack" taillights added a distinctive touch. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had subtle unique styling features, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional customization options. Dodge nearly doubled the available colours for 2023, adding Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel. Inside, the Durango offered a comfortable space with materials suited to each trim level, with the Citadel and SRT Hellcat models providing more luxurious features.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a turbocharged 1.3-litre three-cylinder engine, producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm, making it feel lively. The AWD version came with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a more sophisticated rear suspension, enhancing ride and handling. The RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, contributing to its nimble and fun driving experience. However, the Trailblazer was loud on highways, and its suspension struggled with speed bumps. Off-road, caution was needed to avoid damaging the underside. The Trailblazer averaged 9.0 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above the official rating.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 hp (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The SRT Hellcat's 6.2-litre supercharged V8 produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with minimal wind and tire noise on highways, and adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensuring control.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its small size, offered impressive functionality. It could accommodate four people comfortably, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat, though flat, provided ample legroom and folded down to create a flat load floor. The Trailblazer's cargo space was generous, with 716 litres in the trunk and 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing for long items to be transported.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with the latter featuring second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, though the Durango offered less cargo space than some rivals, with 487 litres behind the third row, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. Small-item storage was ample, with a large wireless charging pad and USB ports. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 2,812 kg and V8 models up to 3,946 kg.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The larger touchscreen included Spotify and SiriusXM, and an optional 7-speaker Bose audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy navigation. Remote engine starting and a keyless entry keypad were available.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and Uconnect 5. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with unique features for SRT models, including a burnout-themed animation and Performance Pages app. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Dodge Durango had mixed safety ratings, with "Good" marks in some IIHS tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars in the side crash test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, but other driver-assist technologies were not standard.