Compare the2023 Jeep CherokeeVS 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

Safety

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The Cherokee has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee has standard Parksense with Rear Stop 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.

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

The Cherokee 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 Cherokee has standard Rear Cross-Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Trailblazer.

Both the Cherokee 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Jeep Cherokee weighs 586 to 1246 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 Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	166	401
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	241/259 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 Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	91
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	133 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	363 lbs.	459 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	203	337
Hip Force	490 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Warranty

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Trailblazer.

Reliability

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

Engine

The Cherokee’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (180 vs. 137) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (171 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (180 vs. 155) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee Trailhawk’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 115 more horsepower (270 vs. 155) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	80.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Cherokee has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Cherokee 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	10.95 inches	10.39 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.6 inches

The Cherokee stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Trailblazer (245/65R17 vs. 225/60R17).

The Cherokee Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Trailblazer; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

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

The Cherokee 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.

The Cherokee’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (106.6 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Trailblazer.

The Cherokee’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.8% to 42.2%) than the Trailblazer’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Cherokee more stable handling and braking.

The Cherokee Altitude LUX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Trailblazer RS AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee Trailhawk has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Trailblazer (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Cherokee has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trailblazer with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s cargo area is larger than the Trailblazer’s in almost every dimension:

	Cherokee	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	33.9”/67.6”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	49.2”	54”
Min Width	39.4”	41”
Height	28.8”	28.2”

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

Towing

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Trailblazer’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Trailblazer is only 1000 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Cherokee uses the Electronic Stability Control 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.

Servicing Ease

The Cherokee 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.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Cherokee, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Cherokee’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 Cherokee’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.

The Cherokee’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 Cherokee’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 Cherokee’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.

When the Cherokee with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Trailblazer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Cherokee keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Cherokee has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The Cherokee 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 Cherokee’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 Cherokee and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Cherokee 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 Cherokee’s standard 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 Cherokee’s ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer an automated parking system.