Head to Head: Ford Territory vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

Crossovers have dominated the local automotive scene for quite some time now. A big part of that dominance is thanks to models from legacy automakers like Ford and Chevrolet, who have brought their trusted and storied brand names to the forefront.

Ford Philippines launched the Territory in mid-2020. Since then, the compact crossover has sold extremely well in the country. Over 5,000 units have left showroom floors, and there appears to be no signs of slowing down. As for Chevrolet Philippines, the Trailblazer crossover is its latest model. The return of the nameplate has intrigued many, but does the car live up to its historic name, and better yet, can it go toe-to-toe with the Territory?

As far as looks go, both the Ford Territory and Chevrolet Trailblazer are what you might call handsome. The Territory makes the most of its unibody construction with a confident stance and a feature-packed exterior. Lighting is almost an all-LED affair, with the headlamps, DRLs, tail lights, and turn signals all getting the LED treatment. The fog lamps are halogen, but they’re bright enough to get the job done.

The Ford Territory’s front fascia is sleek and sophisticated, with the blacked-out mesh grille and sharp headlights taking center stage. At the side, strong character lines bolster the crossover’s stance, and a floating roofline gives a touch of sportiness. Many people have expressed their affection for the Territory’s rear-end, as it looks like something Land Rover would put out. The rear does look nice with its compact window, integrated spoiler, chunky spoiler, and the large badging with a strip of chrome underneath. 

To top it off, Ford put a panoramic moonroof and 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels on the Titanium variant. It’s not hard to see why the Territory has become such a best-seller, as its looks alone can charm even the most discerning buyer.

Moving on the Chevrolet Trailblazer, we see a crossover that looks decidedly athletic. Its front end is Camaro-inspired, so you know it’s got style. The top-spec Premier variant gets LED intellibeam headlights, DRLs, and fog lamps. Getting to the side, there are burly body lines that provide a sense of dimension. The Trailblazer also features a floating roofline and prominent black cladding all around the vehicle. The relatively run-of-the-mill rear is made better by a hands-free power tailgate and a high-mounted LED stop lamp. Like the Territory, it sits on 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels.

Which of these crossovers looks better is ultimately a matter of taste, as both are modern-looking vehicles with unique styling. The Territory has wide appeal, able to cater to most demographics. Meanwhile, the Trailblazer has a youthful and sporty vibe that should make it especially compelling for younger drivers. 

If Chevrolet Philippines brought over the two-tone color schemes from the US models, there could be a clear winner here. Alas, that’s not the case, so we’re giving this category a tie. 

Winner: Tie

When it launched in 2020, the Ford Territory garnered praise for its modern interior. Some might even say it has helped set the standard for crossover cabin design and technology. From the moment you step inside the Territory, you’re greeted with a spacious and clean-looking cabin with all the bells and whistles you could ever need. 

Ford’s attention to detail is apparent with the use of three different materials for the interior. There’s leather, hard plastic, and a wood trim that combine to give the Territory a refined look. The perforated leather seats and  leather steering wheel with mounted controls make for an enjoyable driving experience. On the Titanium variant, there’s a 10-inch, fully digital instrument cluster with three selectable themes. 

The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment unit comes standard, and it features wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. Wireless charging, ambient lighting, 8 speakers, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are also available. Completing the features list are a push-to-start button, smart keyless entry, speed sensing door locks, and speed-sensing door locks.

As we’ve learned, the Ford Territory comes loaded with features. Not to be outdone, the Chevrolet Trailblazer has its own set of modern tech and interior features to rave about. Starting with the cabin, it evokes a sportiness that the Ford lacks. Whereas the Territory has a more minimalist interior, the Trailblazer has an all-out cabin filled with lots of soft-touch material and a healthy dose of chrome. Driving with passengers and cargo is easy with 60/40 split-folding seats and a two-tier cargo floor.

On the tech side, the Trailblazer comes equipped with a 3.5-inch monochrome driver display nestled between circular gauges. It also gets an 8-inch Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Apart from that, the Trailblazer features electronic power steering, a push-to-start ignition, a passive entry system, dual USB ports, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera.

While Chevrolet fans will be delighted by the decked-out cabin and ample features, the Trailblazer doesn’t keep up with the Territory’s advanced technology. Ford takes the lead with a pair of massive screens, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and a whole lot more. For these reasons, it takes the point for interior and technology.

Winner: Ford Territory

Cutting edge safety features are a must for any vehicle launching in this day and age. The Ford Territory Titanium is equipped with driver, front passenger, curtain, and side airbags. It also gets ABS with EBD, traction control, and hill-launch assist. Ford has upped its game with adaptive cruise control, forwarding collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Of course, there’s also a high-definition 360-degree camera system for a seamless parking experience.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer comes with a formidable set of passive and active safety features. The highlights include an advanced driver-assist system (ADAS) that enables features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane change alert, lane keep assist, and rear park assist. It also has front and rear cameras and sensors, cruise control, ABS with EBD, traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and more.

Chevrolet put a lot of active safety features on the new Trailblazer, but the Territory levels the playing field with adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. If safety is a priority, you can’t go wrong with either of these crossovers. So, we’re scoring this category as a tie. 

Winner: Tie

Power output is where we start to see some stark differences between the Territory and Trailblazer. On Ford’s end, it put a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine on the Territory. The power plant delivers 141 hp at 4,500-5,200 RPM and 225 Nm of torque at 1,500-4000 RPM. It connects to a smooth-shifting CVT with Sport mode. Power is sufficient for most driving needs, but those looking for a more spirited ride might be better off looking at the Trailblazer.

Chevrolet packed a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine on the new Trailblazer. Mated to a CVT, the mill makes up to 155 hp at 5,600 RPM and 236 Nm of torque at 1,600-4,000 RPM. The pairing of a smaller engine displacement and a turbocharger should make for a more adventurous yet frugal ride than the Territory. For this category, the Chevrolet Trailblazer takes the cake.

Winner: Chevrolet Trailblazer

Many people skip right to the price tag when looking for a vehicle, and that’s understandable. Brands work hard to balance features with price points for truly attractive deals. In that regard, Ford seems to have hit the nail on the head with the Territory. It starts at P1,277,000 for the Trend variant, and the Titanium model is only P33,000 more at P1,310,000. Considering the crossover’s looks, build quality, and abundance of features, the Territory remains one of the best value-for-money picks in the market.

With the Chevrolet, it’s kind of a different story. Chevy looks determined to position itself as a more premium brand, and it shows with the Trailblazer’s price tag. It retails at P1,488,000 for the base model LT and P1,621,888 for the range-topping Premier variant. It’s not cheap by any means, but Chevrolet hopes that the Trailblazer’s distinct looks and advanced features justifies that price point.

The Trailblazer will be worth it to a lot of buyers, but when put head-to-head with the Territory, Ford presents the most bang for your buck. It’s simply a better deal, with the top-spec Titanium variant being P178,800 cheaper than the entry-level Trailblazer LT. 

Winner: Ford Territory

The Ford Territory and Chevrolet Trailblazer are both attractive and feature-packed crossovers that could sell well for years to come. They’re similar in many respects, and starkly different in others. The two have much to offer in terms of looks and safety features, and buyers will have difficulty weighing the pros and cons there. Where there are clear winners are in the other departments. 

The Ford Territory has a refreshing cabin with the latest onboard technology, and it sits at a very competitive price point. For the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the more powerful turbocharged engine could be enough to sway many potential buyers. 

With its slightly larger build and friendly face, the Territory could work best as a starter family car or a young professional’s ride. On the other hand, the Trailblazer's sportiness and wide stance could attract the young and fun-loving bunch. Whichever one you choose, we think either option won’t let you down in the long run. However, we have a winner here, and it’s the Ford Territory.