Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a familiar sight, echoing the design traditions of its predecessors while introducing a new two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. This SUV was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $51,545 to $78,040, excluding a $2,095 destination charge. The Grand Cherokee's design paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of options, from the basic yet quality Laredo trim to the luxurious Summit Reserve, which boasted premium leather seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, presented a compact yet substantial SUV, reminiscent of the larger Chevrolet Blazer. It featured intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim, giving it an upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling, with the Activ focusing on ruggedness and the RS on sporty aesthetics. The Trailblazer's interior, while not overtly adventurous, included design touches like grab handles and a creased dashboard. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer provided decent utility, with generous headroom and respectable cargo space, although it fell short in towing capacity compared to traditional SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a V6 and a V8 engine, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard 3.6-litre V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,812 kilograms. The 5.7-litre V8 engine delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,265 kilograms. Three 4WD systems were available, with Quadra-Trac I for light off-roading, Quadra-Trac II for more challenging terrain, and Quadra-Drive II for serious off-roading. The Trailhawk trim excelled in off-road conditions, featuring an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. Fuel consumption estimates ranged from 11.3 to 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform with the Buick Encore GX and offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-litre with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-litre with 155 horsepower. The 1.2-litre engine was available only with FWD, while the 1.3-litre engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. FWD models featured a CVT, while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer Activ, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent driving experience, although the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, but it exhibited body roll typical of high-riding vehicles. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitor systems that switched automatically.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a comfortable interior with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. Higher trims added features like ventilated front seats and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, enhancing driver confidence, especially during off-roading. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the rear seats folded. However, rear-seat legroom was tight for taller passengers, and the Grand Cherokee L offered more space and cargo capacity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite its compact size, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided 716 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded. The Trailblazer's interior featured smart storage solutions, including a covered storage bin, deep tray, and cupholders. However, its towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms, and the rear seats' flat cushions made long trips less comfortable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision system, and multiple touchscreens for information and entertainment. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Amazon Alexa integration and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger added convenience and entertainment options.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose audio system were optional. While the Trailblazer's tech features were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an impressive array of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and full-speed forward collision warning. The Active Driving Assist system provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Grand Cherokee's structure was composed of aluminum and high-strength steel, enhancing safety.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.