When it comes to compact crossovers, both Chevrolet and Ford bring their A-game. But with so many similar vehicles currently on the market and the roads, it can be difficult to puzzle out which vehicle is the right choice for you.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular compact crossovers on the market, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape, and learn exactly what sets these two apart.
Exterior
Starting with the exterior, we find that the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape are neck-in-neck with most features. Both of these compact crossovers are available with a hands-free gesture liftgate that opens when you kick your foot under the rear bumper. They also both offer LED headlights and six wheel styles to choose from.
The biggest differences between the two come down to a matter of design. The new 2022 Chevy Trailblazer offers a sportier look with chiseled lines, an aggressive stance, and bold dual-port grille. By comparison, the new Ford Escape presents a more subdued look that blends in with other similar-sized crossovers. The new Trailblazer also has more color choices to choose from and offers two-tone color combinations.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Sportier exterior styling makes a bolder first impression
- Larger color palette with two-tone color options
Interior
The new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape remain in a dead heat as we move into the interior category. Both of these compact crossovers dress to impress with available leather-trimmed seating, automatic climate control, and steering-wheel-mounted controls. They also are available with heated front seats and panoramic sunroofs.
Differences can be found between the two but they’re minimal and will come down to individual taste. The Ford Escape offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster but only on its higher trim levels, while the Trailblazer has a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Escape also does away with a traditional gear shift in favor of a rotary gear dial.
Both of these compact crossovers seat up to five people and feature 60/40 split-folding rear seats that unlock ample cargo room.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Available leatherette trim is more affordable than the Escape’s leather option
Technology
When it comes to advanced technology features, both the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape bring plenty to the plate.
The new 2022 Chevy Trailblazer features the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system that supports wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. This feature is available with an 8-inch touchscreen and offers 4G LTE Wi-Fi® (data plan required) that supports up to seven devices.
On the Ford side of things, you’ll find the same feature but called by a different name. The Escape is equipped with an available SYNC® 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Like the Trailblazer, the Escape also offers wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 4G LTE Wi-Fi with its FordPass™ Connect system.
On both crossovers, you will also find available Bose® Premium Audio systems and wireless charging pads that keeps your front cabin free of wire clutter.
Safety
The new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape weren’t going to be out done when it came to safety. Both these crossovers offer the latest in advanced safety tech such as:
- Forward-collision alert
- Automatic emergency baking
- Side blind-zone alert
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rearview camera
- Rear cross-traffic alert
With all this advanced tech at their disposal, it’s no wonder that the Trailblazer and Escape both earned NHTSA five-star overall safety ratings.
Performance
Under the hood is where you’ll find the biggest differences between the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape. The Chevy crossover is available with two engine options: the standard 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and an available 1.3-liter turbocharged engine that both feature auto stop/start technology. These engines can be paired with either a continuously variable transmission or a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Over on the Ford offering, you’ll find two gas engine options as well. The Escape can be had with either a 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, both of which feature auto stop/start technology. Ford also offers the new Escape in both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant. The gas-engine Escape can only be had with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both the Trailblazer and Escape are available with all-wheel drive and feature available drive modes that let you adjust the vehicle’s handling based on road conditions. They also both boast an EPA-estimated 34 mpg highway, though the Trailblazer just comes out ahead in city ratings with 29 mpg versus the Escape’s 28 mpg.
Advantage of the Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Higher city fuel-efficiency ratings
- Available with a nine-speed automatic transmission
Which Should You Buy?
When it comes right down to it, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2022 Ford Escape are evenly matched in nearly every category. The biggest difference between the two will come down to price. The Chevrolet Trailblazer starts at $22,795 for its base LS trim and tops out at $28,395 with its ACTIV and RS trims with all-wheel drive. The new Ford Escape meanwhile starts $25,555 for the S trim level but quickly goes above $30k with its higher trim levels, hitting $36,055 with its top-level Titanium trim.
The best way to figure out which vehicle you like better though is with a test drive. Schedule to test drive the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer today at Garber Chevrolet Highland by calling us at (219) 924-3344. Or visit us in person at 9700 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN 46322.
