Starting at
Starting at
| 181-250 | Horsepower (hp) | 137-155 |
| 65.2 | Cargo Space (cu.ft) | 54.5 |
| 2,200 | Towing Capacity (lbs) | 1,000 |
For years, bigger always meant better in the automotive industry. Bigger SUVs meant better accommodations for passengers and cargo. Bigger engines meant more power and capability. However, drivers have discovered that good things can also come in smaller packages. Subcompact SUVs use their size to their advantage, modestly sipping fuel and still delivering an engaging and dynamic experience behind the wheel. We see these characteristics firsthand when comparing the best-selling 2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2023 Chevy Trailblazer.
As the Bronco’s smaller and more agile sibling, the Bronco Sport answers a distinct need in the segment for a crossover with a penchant for adventure. The Bronco Sport builds on the legendary Bronco, but its subcompact size makes it easier to maneuver and more efficient. The combination is impressive, especially considering the Bronco Sport is a true off-road adventurer. Options like the Bronco Sport Badlands have the chops to handle every call of the wild, but can the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer say the same?
The Trailblazer name is no stranger to the Chevy lineup. It debuted in the late 1990s as a trim of the midsize Blazer, earning its own lineup in the new millennium before declining sales forced Chevy to discontinue the model in 2008. Chevy reintroduced the SUV in 2021, positioning it above the Trax as a subcompact crossover with sophisticated packaging. Despite its name, however, blazing a trail isn’t recommended in the Trailblazer, which makes the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport far more appealing.
Chevrolet is well-known for its engines, which means there are high expectations for any model that rolls off Chevrolet’s production line. However, the 2023 Trailblazer disappoints when slated against rivals like the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. As a subcompact SUV, the 2023 Trailblazer has reasonable power, with its 1.2L turbocharged EcoTec inline three-cylinder engine producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. Chevy pairs the engine with a continuously variable transmission, making the Trailblazer responsive and agile. However, Ford does even better by giving the Bronco Sport a higher output that transforms your experience in the driver’s seat.
The 2023 Bronco Sport is also equipped with a turbocharged inline-three, but the 1.5L EcoBoost and eight-speed automatic transmission churn out 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, you won’t find this level of performance from the Trailblazer, even if you upgrade to the available 1.3L EcoTec Turbo, which produces 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. With Ford providing significantly more power, the difference in performance is noteworthy and makes the Bronco Sport more engaging and dynamic at any speed.
The Bronco Sport’s lead over the Trailblazer is obvious regarding power. Still, Ford has another trick up its sleeve and offers a 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four engine for its subcompact adventurer. The 2.0L engine is paired with the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and produces 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque for pure thrills in the driver’s seat. Moreover, with its higher output, the four-wheel drive Bronco Sport can tow up to 2,200 lbs, a stark contrast to the Trailblazer’s 1,000 lb trailering maximum.
Beyond having this level of power at your fingertips, Ford also does a better job of letting you tailor the Bronco Sport’s performance to your driving style and the conditions. Depending on trim, the Bronco Sport features Ford’s Terrain Management System with up to seven GOAT Modes, which include Normal, Eco, Sport, Sand, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. Chevy takes a tamer approach with the Trailblazer, outfitting the all-wheel drive models with Normal, AWD, and Sport modes.
One of the most notable differences between the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer is their capability on and off the pavement. Subcompact SUVs aren’t typically designed as full-on adventurers destined to push their limits at Moab. However, Ford strikes an incredible balance with the 2023 Bronco Sport that ensures it lives up to the reputation of the Bronco Family. Unfortunately, the Trailblazer’s penchant for adventure is in name only, as it feels more at home on the pavement.
The 2023 Trailblazer is available in four trims––the entry-level LS and LT, sporty ACTIV, and performance-oriented RS. The ACTIV is as close as it gets to adventurous for the Trailblazer but focuses more on aesthetics than giving you the confidence to answer the call of the wild. For example, the Trailblazer ACTIV differentiates itself with its high-gloss black mesh grille, 17-inch machined face wheels, front skid plate, contrasting roof, black roof rails, and ACTIV badging. While its suspension is tuned for off-roading, its off-road prowess is limited to gravel roads because of its lackluster engine and all-wheel drive drivetrain.
The 2023 Trailblazer is the perfect SUV if you want the appearance of an adventurer without the follow-through. However, most people are looking for a genuine road warrior, and that’s what you get with the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. This subcompact SUV has a healthy lineup, starting with the Base, Big Bend, and Heritage trims. Top-tier trims like the Outer Banks, Badlands, and Heritage Limited blend style and capability, with the Badlands living up to its reputation as the most capable and adventurous in the family.
The 2023 Bronco Sport Badlands is ready for every adventure, with its 2.0L EcoBoost engine delivering 250 hp as its advanced four-wheel drive system optimizes torque delivery to improve handling and traction. Moreover, Ford ensures you can harness this power with the Terrain Management System and seven available GOAT Modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. These modes complement a host of other off-road components, from the suspension and electronic traction control system to Ford Trail Control, which works as low-speed cruise control on the trail.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport and 2023 Chevy Trailblazer are subcompact SUVs that offer seating for five. While their dimensions make them part of the same class, Ford and Chevrolet take a unique approach to designing the models for maximum functionality.
The 2023 Trailblazer measures 173.5 inches long with a 103.9-inch wheelbase, comparable to the Bronco Sport and its 172.7-inch length and 105.1-inch wheelbase. However, the most significant difference is height and width, which translates to more cabin room. For example, the Trailblazer is 71.2 inches wide and 65.7 inches tall, which yields 40 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom in the front. Alternatively, the Bronco Sport, at 74.3 inches wide and 70.2 inches tall, prioritizes your comfort and offers more head and legroom across its two rooms. You and your copilot have 41.5 inches of headroom and 42.4 inches of legroom, with your second-row passengers enjoying 41.7 inches of headroom.
Another distinction between the 2023 Trailblazer and the 2023 Bronco Sport is cargo capacity. The Trailblazer is designed for the pavement, and even trims like the ACTIV can navigate gravel roads at best. It’s not engineered for off-road adventures, nor can it accommodate the gear that is needed for such adventures, with a total cargo capacity of only 54.4 cu.ft. While a roof rack can expand this capacity, the 2023 Bronco Sport undoubtedly has the lead with its 65.2 cu.ft. of available cargo space that can handle everything from groceries and luggage to camping and fishing gear.
The more adventurous Bronco Sport also gains an advantage because of its extensive suite of upgrades and packages, many of which are inspired by the iconic Bronco. Options like the Black Diamond Off-Road Package heighten the Bronco Sport’s prowess on the trail and complement a healthy catalog of accessories that let you customize the Bronco Sport to your style, performance, and adventure needs. This option isn’t as readily available with the 2023 Trailblazer, not even with the ACTIV trim. Instead, the Trailblazer’s packages focus on tech and style, adding driver-assist tools, floor mats, trailering components, and other conveniences that do little to prepare the SUV for adventure.
Did you initially start your search for the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer only to fall in love with the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport? We understand the switch as Ford offers something incredible with the Bronco Sport––a new level of versatility from a subcompact SUV. The 2023 Bronco Sport is athletic and engaging to drive. It can venture off the pavement and efficiently navigate your commute. It’s a well-rounded road warrior that deserves a place in your garage.
You’ll find the Bronco Sport and plenty more here at DePaula Ford, the first and only stop for all your automotive needs. As the leading Ford dealer in the Albany region, DePaula Ford is renowned for putting customers first. We believe buying a Ford is a celebration, and we know our role is to kickstart that celebration with an incredible dealership experience. With a team like ours, it’s easy to deliver.
Operating with integrity, transparency, and respect, DePaula Ford promises something you won’t find anywhere else––a lifetime partnership with our team. We’re dedicated to helping you find the Bronco Sport of your dreams, knowing our work doesn’t end when we toss you the keys. Instead, we’re just getting started as we help you protect your investment from the convenience of our state-of-the-art service center. It’s the best kind of partnership that gives you a front-row seat to our expertise.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
