2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to balance SUV toughness with a touch of sophistication, thanks to its 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 sported a more aggressive look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive flair, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colours like Nitro Yellow. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of leatherette upholstery and various textures, providing a unique personality, although it didn't scream "outdoor adventure."

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from its earlier blocky aesthetic. The refreshed front end featured a traditional grille with the Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar. As one of Ford's smaller SUVs, the Escape offered a sleek design, especially in the ST-Line Elite trim, which included 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked upscale, though it felt somewhat hard. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat allowed for easy customization. Despite the abundance of plastic, the Escape's interior was well-organized, with a textured centre console and well-weighted steering inputs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-litre turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-litre engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-litre engine could be paired with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Trailblazer Activ test car featured the 1.3-litre engine, AWD, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note, though the transmission occasionally exhibited rough shifts. The Activ model's dampers were tuned for gravel roads but performed well on pavement, offering a composed and nimble ride despite some body roll.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. Higher trims, like the ST-Line Elite, featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively available with AWD. Despite the impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs available, offered decent utility. It was wider and taller than the original S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase that benefited passenger space. The Trailblazer matched the Kia Seltos in headroom and offered more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX. Cargo space was respectable, with 716 litres behind the second row and 1,540 litres with the seats folded, though it lagged behind the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. Up front, storage solutions included a covered bin, a deep tray, and cupholders, though the dashboard's small carve-out seemed impractical.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt great to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space, with up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded, was close in size to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 but fell short of leaders like the Honda CR-V. Passenger space was slightly less than some competitors, but the back seat offered good headroom, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were optional. While the Trailblazer's tech features were adequate for most, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster wasn't available. The 8-inch screen was well-sized for the dashboard, with easy-to-read graphics and logical menus.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology. Lower trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite boasted a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. The system was easy to navigate, and the native navigation looked similar to Google Maps. A Wi-Fi hotspot was available with a subscription. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its layout and ease of use were commendable. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system optional on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included in Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite were forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology.