2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to strike a balance between ruggedness and sophistication, with intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim enhancing its upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, although not exclusive to Chevy, as other subcompact crossovers also offered similar features. Inside, the Trailblazer Activ model showcased a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, providing a unique interior aesthetic, albeit with an unconventional colour palette.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, particularly in the Limited trim with the S Appearance Package, exuded a more practical and sophisticated vibe. The exterior featured body-coloured door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels, while the interior was dominated by a dark theme with Nappa leather seats and a sleek dashboard design. The Pacifica Hybrid's practicality was evident with its sliding doors and ample cargo space, making it a family-friendly choice. However, the interior's dark theme might not appeal to everyone, and the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could lead to some confusion.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-litre turbo-three engine increased output to 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). The Trailblazer Activ test car featured AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-litre engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts, and the selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, although some bouncing was noticed over road imperfections.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an official all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. In testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these figures, achieving 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only, lacked a spare tire, and couldn't be equipped with a towing package, limiting its versatility compared to the non-hybrid model. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth driving experience with a continuously variable transmission and a lower centre of gravity for better handling.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs available, offered a substantial presence with its wider and taller dimensions compared to the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer. It provided decent utility, matching the Kia Seltos in headroom and offering more rear legroom than its Buick Encore GX sibling. However, its cargo space of 716 litres with the second-row seats in place and 1,540 litres with them folded was respectable but not class-leading. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although the small carve-out above the dashboard's function remained unclear.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in interior space and practicality, with features like the FamCam interior camera for monitoring rear passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid offered comfortable seating, although taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low. The centre pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row, although competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna offered slightly more legroom. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space remained generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded. However, the absence of Stow 'n Go seats in the hybrid model reduced its versatility compared to the standard Pacifica.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small by current standards, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable. However, the available screen space provided clear graphics and logical menus, making it user-friendly.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with apps and games for long road trips. However, the additional cost for this feature might be hard to justify, given that most kids already have phones or tablets. The Pacifica Hybrid also boasted numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

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 received top safety ratings, earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also offered a robust array of standard safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. However, features like parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Hybrid Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.