2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a bold departure from the standard Outback, offering a rugged aesthetic that pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it sat higher than its siblings, resembling more of a Jeep than a traditional wagon. The Wilderness model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all complemented by a new Geyser Blue paint option. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching adding to its rugged charm. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented a more compact and stylish SUV option, reminiscent of a mini Chevrolet Blazer. It balanced SUV toughness with upscale details like intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The Trailblazer's interior was a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a touch of personality. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer offered a comfortable cabin with contrasting roof options and a distinctive design that set it apart from other subcompact crossovers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a robust 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with Subaru's signature all-wheel drive, provided ample power for a midsize crossover SUV weighing 3,896 pounds. The Wilderness trim offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, making it a capable choice for adventurous drivers. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was a point of contention, as it lacked the engaging feel of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim's standout features included its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, offered two engine options: a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and an optional 1.3-litre turbo-three producing 155 horsepower. The Trailblazer's AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing a more refined driving experience compared to the CVT in FWD models. The Activ model's dampers were tuned for gravel roads, offering a composed ride on various terrains. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer delivered a nimble and composed driving experience, with Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes enhancing its versatility.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a spacious interior with dark grey StarTex upholstery, known for its water-repellant properties. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger, ensuring comfort on long journeys. The rear seat provided generous head and legroom, accommodating two adults or three children comfortably. The cargo area boasted 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom in both front and rear seats. The Trailblazer's cargo space measured 716 litres with the second-row seats in place and 1,540 litres with the seats folded, providing respectable storage capacity for its segment. While the rear seats were comfortable for short trips, the flat cushions made long journeys less appealing. The Trailblazer's interior design maximized limited space with clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin, deep tray, and cupholders, ensuring practicality for everyday use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and dominating the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for basic functions, most controls required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto preferable options for seamless connectivity. Despite its target demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and Bose audio system were available for tech enthusiasts. The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics. While it lacked a fully digital instrument cluster, the combination of analog gauges and a smaller screen effectively conveyed essential information.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized safety with its EyeSight suite of features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The system, powered by dual cameras, maintained safe distances and lane centring effectively. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its strong safety credentials.