2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet stylish SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to balance SUV ruggedness with a refined appearance, thanks to intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, although not exclusive to Chevy. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was characterized by a mix of materials and colors, providing a unique personality, though it didn't scream "outdoor adventure." Design elements like grab handles and a creased dashboard added to its distinctiveness.

The 2024 Jeep Compass, tested in Michigan, initially appeared as a fleet vehicle with a generic design, lacking the distinctive Jeep identity unless outfitted as a Trailhawk. The Compass Sport trim, in particular, was unremarkable, sharing design elements with other small crossovers. However, the interior of the Compass, especially in higher trims, showcased a more cohesive and modern design. The base Compass offered supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and a well-designed dashboard. The inclusion of a large 10-inch infotainment screen and thoughtful interior touches elevated its appeal. Despite its generic exterior, the Compass excelled in interior design and quality, especially in the 2022 and later models.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-liter turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Trailblazer Activ test car featured the 1.3-liter engine, AWD, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note, though the transmission exhibited some rough shifts. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, offered a composed and nimble ride, albeit with some bouncing over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. It also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though Sport mode showed minimal differences.

The 2024 Jeep Compass replaced its previous 2.4-liter engine with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, the Compass offered improved performance, minimizing engine noise and providing ease in city driving and highway merging. It featured three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. The Compass Trailhawk added a low-range transfer case, rock mode, and off-road enhancements, though it came at a higher cost. Steering and handling were weak points, with excessive play and low grip, but the ride remained comfortable. Fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, slightly below some competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It was wider and taller than the original S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase for improved passenger space. It matched rivals like the Kia Seltos in headroom and offered more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX. However, the rear seats' flat cushions made long trips less comfortable. Cargo space was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, though it lagged behind the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds. Upfront, storage options included a covered bin, deep tray, and cupholders, though a small dashboard carve-out's purpose remained unclear.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use. It featured clear analog gauges, a large color display, and physical climate controls. Visibility was good, and headroom was ample without a sunroof. Rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, along with rear vents, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest. Cargo space was competitive, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. The front passenger seat's ability to fold added versatility for carrying longer items.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio, rear USB ports, and wireless charging were optional. While the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, it was well-suited to the dashboard, with easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software, offering a slick and crisp interface. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports. Factory navigation was optional, with a wireless charging pad available. A 10.3-inch digital instrument panel was standard on higher trims, with additional features available through the Elite Group package. The Compass offered a semi-automated driving system, Active Driving Assist, on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted standard safety features like 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. It received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing, but the 2022 model received four out of five stars. The 2023 Compass earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were available on higher trims.