Compare the2023 Chevrolet TrailblazerVS 2022 Ford EcoSport

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Trailblazer are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Trailblazer has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Trailblazer’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the Trailblazer and the EcoSport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trailblazer is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Trailblazer is .6% to 2.5% less likely to roll over than the EcoSport.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Trailblazer its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

The Trailblazer’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the EcoSport’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trailblazer’s reliability 71 points higher than the EcoSport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder is faster than the Ford EcoSport:

On the EPA test cycle the Trailblazer gets better mileage than the EcoSport:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Trailblazer higher (7 out of 10) than the Ford EcoSport (5). This means the Trailblazer produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the EcoSport every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the EcoSport.

The Trailblazer has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Trailblazer stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

For better traction, the Trailblazer has larger tires than the EcoSport (225/60R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the EcoSport. The Trailblazer’s optional 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the EcoSport.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Trailblazer has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The EcoSport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trailblazer’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the EcoSport (103.9 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Trailblazer is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the EcoSport.

The Trailblazer RS AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the EcoSport SE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Trailblazer RS AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the EcoSport SE (28.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Trailblazer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Ford EcoSport.

The Trailblazer AWD uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EcoSport doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trailblazer has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EcoSport with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 20.9 cubic feet). The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EcoSport with its rear seat folded (54.4 vs. 50 cubic feet).

The Trailblazer’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS’ power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The Trailblazer AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trailblazer can be unhitched and driven around locally. The EcoSport can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trailblazer’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The EcoSport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Trailblazer’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

The Trailblazer has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Trailblazer’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the EcoSport’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Trailblazer detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV/RS offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The EcoSport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Trailblazer is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Trailblazer owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trailblazer will cost $175 less than the EcoSport over a five-year period.

The Trailblazer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Trailblazer will retain 46.09% to 46.97% of its original price after five years, while the EcoSport only retains 42.27% to 42.7%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be $1597 to $2708 less than for the Ford EcoSport.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford EcoSport isn't recommended.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer outsold the Ford EcoSport by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.