2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from its 2018 facelift. The Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still reflected its mid-2000s origins. Inside, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin, though the front seats felt bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers. The second-row seats, however, provided ample space and comfort. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features and options to suit different preferences.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted a stylish and appealing design, with well-proportioned lines and the option for a contrasting roof color. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer offered a surprisingly roomy interior, accommodating four passengers comfortably. The RS trim, with its sporty 18-inch wheels and AWD, provided a nimble and enjoyable driving experience. The Trailblazer's interior, while functional, featured hard plastics, but the overall design was modern and user-friendly. The Trailblazer's trims, from the base L to the sporty RS, offered a range of features and options, making it a versatile choice for different needs.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for a vehicle weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, offering a confident driving experience. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds fell short compared to competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, featured turbocharged three-cylinder engines, with the larger 1.3-liter engine producing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Trailblazer's AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, enhancing its ride and handling. The RS trim, with its sporty wheels and tires, offered a zippy and nimble driving experience, making it fun to drive in urban settings. However, the Trailblazer's small engine and lightweight design resulted in a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces, and its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 26.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia excelled in interior space, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, providing easy access to the cargo area. Despite its spaciousness, the Sequoia's front-row space could have been better utilized, but it still offered ample storage options with deep door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though compact, was highly functional, with a dashboard tray and the ability to hold items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed. The RS trim provided a comfortable driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, while the rear seat offered ample legroom but lacked comfort due to its flat design. The Trailblazer's cargo area held 25.3 cubic feet, expanding to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the front passenger seat could also fold flat for additional cargo space.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Despite its dated technology, the system was user-friendly, with simple menus and large buttons. The test model's digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward user experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a comprehensive infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The test vehicle included Alexa Built-in, Spotify, SiriusXM, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. The Trailblazer's system was intuitive, with appealing graphics and physical controls for easy navigation. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging and a keyless entry keypad system.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. However, it lacked more advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist provided forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.