Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling, while the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, resembled a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer, offering a balance of SUV toughness and upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models added unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier appearance. The Trailblazer's contrasting roofs and distinctive colour options, such as a white roof with Nitro Yellow paint, added a retro touch. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, providing a unique personality. While not designed for outdoor adventures, the Trailblazer's interior design, including grab handles and a creased dashboard, made it stand out.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelled the Grand Wagoneer from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 cm, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of tackling various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a stately pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a choice between a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-litre turbo-three with 155 horsepower. The 1.2-litre engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-litre engine offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. Our Trailblazer Activ test car featured the 1.3-litre engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, although some bouncing was noticeable over road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It matched the Kia Seltos in front and rear headroom, although legroom was mid-pack. The Trailblazer provided more rear legroom than its Buick Encore GX sibling. Cargo space measured 716 litres with the second-row seats in place and 1,540 litres with them folded, respectable for the segment. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. Up front, the Trailblazer featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although the small carve-out above the dashboard's function remained unclear.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the screen was occasionally slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were available. While the Trailblazer's tech features might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, the 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information, aided by smart design touches.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its launch. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Trailblazer a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.