2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It exuded a sense of toughness without veering into exaggeration, thanks to its intricate headlight and taillight designs and dark chrome trim that lent it an upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ showcasing a rugged front fascia and the RS adopting a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colours like Nitro Yellow.

Inside, the Trailblazer Activ model featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, creating a unique interior aesthetic. While the cabin didn't scream "outdoor adventure," design elements like grab handles and a creased dashboard added character. The interior was functional, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and power-adjustable driver's seat, though the lack of a power passenger seat was noted. Overall, the Trailblazer's design struck a balance between ruggedness and sophistication, appealing to those seeking a stylish yet practical subcompact SUV.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, was a study in understated elegance. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models shared a similar exterior design with the standard RX 350, save for subtle badging. The RX 500h stood out with its performance-oriented styling, featuring a blacked-out grille, matte-black wheels, and aggressive bumper designs. While the RX's design wasn't groundbreaking, it maintained a sense of refinement and sophistication.

Inside, the RX Hybrid embraced a minimalist approach with fewer physical controls and a modern infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, exuding luxury. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. Despite its sleek design, the RX Hybrid's interior offered comfort and practicality, with features like heated and ventilated seats and a three-zone climate control system. The RX Hybrid's cabin was a comfortable and inviting space, perfect for long journeys.

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 producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-litre turbo-three with 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 transmission, 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 exhibited some body roll typical of high-riding vehicles. The 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more sophisticated powertrain lineup. The RX 350h featured a hybrid system based on a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It delivered impressive fuel efficiency, averaging 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience.

The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering contributed to its athleticism, making it a joy to drive. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, which could be cumbersome. The RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km, while the RX 350h achieved 7.4 L/100 km. The RX 350h's lower centre of gravity and electric motor torque provided a secure and quiet ride, making it a preferred choice for those seeking efficiency and comfort.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on the market, offered a surprising amount of interior space. 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 in both the front and rear, matching the Kia Seltos in this regard. While legroom was mid-pack, it surpassed the Hyundai Kona and its Buick Encore GX sibling. 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 behind the second-row seats and 1,540 litres with the seats folded. However, it fell short of the Kia Seltos in this aspect. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds), reflecting its subcompact nature. Up front, the Trailblazer offered clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin, deep tray, and cupholders. However, a small dashboard carve-out's purpose remained unclear.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, in contrast, prioritized comfort and luxury. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, seat heating and ventilation, and a three-zone climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX Hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support and legroom, though rear headroom was tight due to the lower roofline.

Cargo space in the RX Hybrid was improved over the previous model, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seat folded. These figures matched the standard RX 350, ensuring the hybrid drivetrain didn't compromise cargo volume. While the RX Hybrid offered significant improvement over its predecessor, it still lagged behind some competitors in cargo capacity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with a standard infotainment system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, tech-savvy consumers might find the optional touchscreen small by modern standards.

The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large, easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information. Smart design touches, like a person-shaped icon for pedestrian detection, enhanced comprehension.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, a significant upgrade for the SUV. However, to fully utilize its features, buyers needed to subscribe to connected services plans after the complimentary trial period. The Lexus Interface served as a gateway to vehicle settings and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Setting up the system involved activating trial subscriptions and creating a user profile, which could be transferred to other Lexus and Toyota models.

The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect, a cloud-based navigation system with an Intelligent Assistant. While the assistant generally performed well, it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The touchscreen display, though large, only allowed viewing one screen menu at a time, requiring frequent menu navigation. Reflections on the screen and the absence of a tuning knob were minor drawbacks. The available head-up display, with dual-function touch-sensing control pads, posed challenges for users wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted 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+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), featuring advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Additional features included lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking, was a notable feature.

While LSS+ 3.0 generally operated with refinement, some features had room for improvement. The front cross-traffic alert system's visual indicators were ineffective with polarized sunglasses, and the curve-speed reduction tech was reactive rather than proactive. The driver monitoring system occasionally issued warnings when obstructed. Lexus also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.