Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Trailblazer have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Trailblazer’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The Q3 Premium Plus has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trailblazer only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Q3 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Trailblazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q3 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Trailblazer.

Both the Q3 and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Audi Q3 weighs 627 to 902 pounds more than the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Q3	Trailblazer
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	401
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	409/383 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Q3	Trailblazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	91
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	333 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	185
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	485 lbs.	591 lbs.

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 Q3 is 1.5% to 2.1% less likely to roll over than the Trailblazer.

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Trailblazer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Trailblazer’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Trailblazer’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Q3’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Trailblazer’s camshafts. If the Trailblazer’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 14 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 91 more horsepower (228 vs. 137) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (228 vs. 155) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Audi Q3 is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Q3	Trailblazer
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	9.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q3 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Trailblazer:

	Q3	Trailblazer
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.39 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Trailblazer are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

	Q3	Trailblazer
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Trailblazer (235/55R18 vs. 225/60R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Trailblazer (255/45R19 vs. 225/60R17).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV’s standard 60 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Trailblazer’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Trailblazer.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q3 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Q3 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q3’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (105.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q3 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the Trailblazer.

Passenger Space

The Q3 has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The Trailblazer’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Trailblazer’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Q3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Trailblazer’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Q3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Trailblazer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Q3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Q3’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Trailblazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Trailblazer can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Trailblazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Q3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Trailblazer’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Q3 Premium Plus has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q3’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet only offers heated mirrors on the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS.

The Q3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trailblazer offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q3 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Trailblazer LS doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Q3’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Q3 and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Trailblazer’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Economic Advantages

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the Trailblazer only retains 46.25% to 46.73%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q3 and the Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on reliability, safety and performance.