2023 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and modern aesthetic, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of many crossovers. Its design featured a low roofline with front and rear pillars leaned back, creating a streamlined profile complemented by a prominent grille and stacked headlights. Despite its road car styling cues, the Blazer maintained the visual heft of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with its blackout trim, vibrant Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a striking choice in the mainstream crossover segment. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with unique twisted elements, revised grille and LED headlight designs, and additional wheel options. The interior boasted a sportier look, reminiscent of the Camaro, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents. Higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control, with the Blazer RS featuring blue trim and a two-tone upholstery scheme, enhancing the overall material quality.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, offered standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD came with a Special Edition package, while the Limited trim allowed for a Platinum package upgrade. The Limited trim with the Platinum package had an MSRP of $61,800 in Canada. Minimal appearance changes for 2023 included a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's design was characterized by exaggerated forms, with scowling headlights, simulated air intakes, and flared rear fenders. Inside, the cabin featured oversized elements, such as large air vents and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but suffered from mismatched textures and reflections. The interior quality was questionable, with controls feeling inexpensive and storage areas unlined. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was notably quiet on the road, with Toyota focusing on this aspect.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained its powertrain options from the previous year, offering a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, was optional on the LT and standard on other trims. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors with automatic switching. The V6-powered Blazer RS test car was often left in AWD mode to manage power effectively, as front-wheel drive could lead to torque steer. The Blazer delivered impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, though it wasn't a performance SUV. Its weight and design affected handling, but the Blazer remained comfortable on highways, aided by Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for midsize SUVs, though its off-road capabilities were limited.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, providing 243 combined horsepower. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. The gas engine's torque was limited to 175 pound-feet, affecting high-speed passing power. While the Highlander Hybrid could tow up to 1,588 kilograms, it struggled with power in mountainous terrain. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, with a Trail mode available for light off-road use. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized fuel economy, featuring a Predictive Efficient Drive system, though it returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The driving experience was unengaging, with soft suspension and a continuously variable transmission contributing to a lack of excitement. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in urban environments, offering a smooth and quiet ride, but lacked driving engagement.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious interior without being cumbersome to maneuver. Front-seat headroom was comparable to rivals, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than some competitors. The Blazer provided 864 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,818 litres with seats folded, trailing behind rivals like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. Despite this, the Blazer felt spacious from the driver's seat, with short overhangs aiding parking. Functional interior details included USB ports and temperature controls integrated into air vents. A heated steering wheel was standard on the RS trim but unavailable on lower models.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, though most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making it more suitable as a two-row vehicle. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with higher trims offering additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with sunshades for added convenience. Accessing the third row was challenging, and the seats were best for occasional use. The Highlander Hybrid offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with seats folded. The centre console design was complex, and storage areas were unlined, affecting utility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system were available on higher trims. The infotainment system was intuitive, though a dedicated camera view button would have been beneficial. The Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, with a large touchscreen and optional 8-inch instrument cluster display.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. The infotainment system included an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected service plans and Remote Connect were standard, with Drive Connect offering additional features like voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was available on all trims, with additional options like blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's advanced Super Cruise system.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with higher trims offering parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane markings. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and vehicle location services. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.