2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical sliding side doors, comfortable third-row seating, and impressive cargo space. Its design, while adhering to the classic minivan look, featured stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels on the Elite trim. The interior boasted quality materials, a low console, and a well-organized center stack, making it a functional and stylish choice for family transportation.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a more rugged and upscale appearance, resembling a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS sporting a boy-racer aesthetic. The Trailblazer's interior, while not screaming "outdoor adventure," had distinctive design touches and a mix of materials that added personality. The combination of contrasting roofs and various color options made it stand out in the subcompact crossover segment.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered a front-wheel-drive setup and had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the hybrid options of its competitors, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came with a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three engine offering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Trailblazer's AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a CVT. The Activ model, with its tuned dampers, provided a composed and nimble ride, although it exhibited some body roll and bouncing over road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for child seating and access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It had generous headroom and mid-pack legroom, with comfortable rear seats for short trips. The Trailblazer's cargo space measured 25.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. While it couldn't match the cargo capacity of larger SUVs, it provided ample storage for smaller items with various compartments and trays. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display with media inputs, but it felt outdated compared to competitors. The Elite trim also included an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech package might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, it offered a user-friendly interface with large graphics and logical menus. The combination of analog gauges and a smaller instrument cluster screen provided clear information without the need for a fully digital setup.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

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