2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a compact SUV that managed to capture the essence of its larger sibling, the Blazer, with a design that balanced ruggedness and sophistication. Its intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, lent it an upscale appearance uncommon in its price range. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and the RS boasting a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, making the Trailblazer stand out among subcompact crossovers.

Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of practicality and personality. The Activ model featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, complemented by a mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim. While the interior didn’t scream adventure, design elements like grab handles and a creased dashboard added character. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer offered a comfortable and distinctive interior experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer, in contrast, embraced a more road-oriented design, with styling cues reminiscent of sporty cars. Its sleek profile, low roofline, and large grille framed by stacked headlights gave it a striking appearance. The Blazer RS test vehicle, with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, was particularly eye-catching. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights and grille designs, which kept its look fresh and modern.

Inside, the Blazer's sportier aesthetic was evident, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS model featured blue trim and a two-tone upholstery scheme, enhancing its sporty vibe. Material quality was impressive, especially in the high-end RS model, and the interior offered a spacious feel without compromising on functionality. The Blazer's design successfully combined style and practicality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a midsize crossover with a sporty edge.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a choice between a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-litre turbo-three producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-litre engine was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 1.3-litre engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, delivered a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The nine-speed automatic, while not the most refined, provided a satisfactory driving experience. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, performed well on pavement, offering a composed and nimble ride. However, the Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems. The Trailblazer also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences between them were subtle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, a feature that some competitors automated.

Our V6-powered Blazer RS test car impressed with its quick acceleration and sporty exhaust note. While not a performance SUV, the Blazer delivered a satisfying driving experience, with its V6 engine providing ample power. The Blazer's handling was typical of a midsize crossover, with its weight and top-heavy design affecting agility. However, the well-tuned suspension and Active Noise Cancellation made highway driving pleasant. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for its class, though its off-road capabilities were limited.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs available, offered a surprisingly spacious interior. It was wider and taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase that improved passenger space. The Trailblazer provided generous headroom, matching the Kia Seltos, though legroom was average. It offered more rear legroom than its Buick Encore GX sibling and slightly more headroom in both rows. The rear seats were comfortable for short trips, but the flat cushions made long journeys less appealing.

Cargo space in the Trailblazer was respectable, with 716 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded. While these figures were behind the Kia Seltos, they were competitive within the segment. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms, and its cargo space was quickly filled with a weekend's worth of luggage for three people. Up front, the Trailblazer offered clever storage solutions, including a covered bin, deep tray, and cupholders, though the small dashboard carve-out's purpose remained unclear.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer, a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offered a spacious interior with nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport. While rear-seat headroom was slightly below average, it was better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer provided ample legroom in both rows, contributing to a comfortable cabin experience.

Cargo space in the Blazer was 864 litres with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, placing it behind most competitors. Despite this, the Blazer felt spacious from the driver's seat, with short overhangs aiding maneuverability and an unobstructed windshield view enhancing the sense of space. Functional interior details, such as USB port placement and temperature controls integrated into the air vents, added to the Blazer's appeal. However, the lack of a heated steering wheel on lower trims was a notable oversight for Canadian buyers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging were available as options. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available.

Despite these limitations, the Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information, aided by smart design touches like a pedestrian-detection icon and engine start/stop indicator.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging across all trims. The RS and Premier models featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, while other trims had a 4.2-inch display. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The RS and Premier trims also offered built-in navigation and a Bose audio system, with these features available on the True North trim as part of a package.

The Blazer's infotainment system, similar to other Chevy crossovers, was intuitive and easy to use, with most functions accessible with minimal touchscreen interaction. However, a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system would have been a welcome addition. The Blazer's tech presentation was modern and competitive, with the new touchscreen among the largest in its segment.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered the standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, which included automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. For 2023, adaptive cruise control became available on all trims, and other optional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a 360-degree camera system, and a Safety Alert vibrating driver seat.

The Blazer received the highest "Good" rating from the IIHS in all crash-test categories, with "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded the Blazer a five-star overall safety rating. However, the Blazer lacked GM's advanced Super Cruise system, and its child-seat anchor ease of use received an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS.