Compare the2023 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape FHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Trailblazer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Escape FHEV has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escape FHEV offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Escape FHEV offers an optional 360-Degree Camera 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 Escape FHEV has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 Escape FHEV has standard Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Trailblazer and the Trailblazer’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Escape FHEV’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	185
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	24%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	401
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 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 Ford Escape FHEV is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	191 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	240 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	185
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Escape FHEV’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trailblazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Escape FHEV’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.

The Escape FHEV has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 2 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 63 more horsepower (200 vs. 137) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (200 vs. 155) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
Zero to 30 MPH	3.5 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape FHEV gets better mileage than the Trailblazer:

			MPG
Escape FHEV
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
Trailblazer
	FWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/33 hwy
		1.2 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Escape FHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Escape FHEV has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (8 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Trailblazer (7). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 5.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Trailblazer every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.39 inches

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Trailblazer’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape FHEV flat and controlled during cornering. The Trailblazer’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Escape FHEV 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 Escape FHEV’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (106.7 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape FHEV is 1.5 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than on the Trailblazer.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has 1.5 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 7.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trailblazer with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape FHEV easier. The Escape FHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Trailblazer’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The Escape FHEV’s cargo area is larger than the Trailblazer’s in every dimension:

	Escape FHEV	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.7”/68.3”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	57.3”	54”
Min Width	41.4”	41”
Height	32.8”	28.2”

Towing

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

All models of the Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Trailblazer AWD can be dinghy towed.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape FHEV uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape FHEV, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. 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 Escape FHEV’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escape FHEV SEL/Titanium’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Trailblazer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Escape FHEV’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Trailblazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Escape FHEV’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.

The Escape FHEV offers an optional 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 Escape FHEV’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 Escape FHEV and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape FHEV offers optional 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 Escape FHEV’s 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.

The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Escape FHEV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escape FHEV will retain 49.07% to 49.62% of its original price after five years, while the Trailblazer only retains 46.25% to 46.73%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Chevrolet Trailblazer by over two to one during 2022.