2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Mazda CX-30

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to balance SUV ruggedness with a touch of sophistication, thanks to its intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ leaning towards a rugged aesthetic and the RS embracing a sportier look. The contrasting roof colours added a distinctive flair, especially in combinations like the white roof with Nitro Yellow paint. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a unique personality despite its predominantly black interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 was available in four trims, each offering a blend of artful design and upscale materials. Despite its nose-heavy appearance due to the long hood and excessive body cladding, the CX-30's interior exuded elegance. The GT Turbo trim, in particular, showcased a luxurious combination of off-white leather and chocolate brown accents. The cabin was well-appointed, with quality materials and a design that rivalled entry-level luxury SUVs. However, the exterior's ruggedness was more of an illusion, as the interior focused on comfort and refinement.

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 lb-ft 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 paired with front-wheel drive (FWD) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the 1.3-litre engine offered both FWD and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, the latter featuring a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer Activ model, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic transmission occasionally exhibited rough shifts. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, although some bouncing was noted over road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base GX trim's 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The GS and GT models featured a 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the GT Turbo boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. All engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-30's performance was impressive, with robust acceleration and a satisfying engine note. However, the powertrain occasionally felt flat-footed in heavy traffic, and the small fuel tank limited range. The CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive steering, but the suspension's softness and brake pedal's lack of intuitiveness were noted drawbacks.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered substantial 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 and mid-pack legroom, surpassing the Hyundai Kona in rear legroom. Its cargo capacity was respectable, with 716 litres behind the second row and 1,540 litres with the seats folded, although it fell short of the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. Up front, storage solutions included a covered bin, deep tray, and cupholders, though the dashboard's small carve-out lacked a clear purpose.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a comfortable driver's seat with an eight-way power adjustment and standard dual-zone climate control. However, the front passenger seat was limited to four-way manual adjustment. Rear passengers had limited legroom, but the seatbacks were padded for comfort. Storage space was reasonable, with a centre armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The CX-30's cargo space was less impressive, with 572 litres behind the rear seats and 1,280 litres with them folded. The lack of underfloor storage and nooks was a drawback, but the power liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio, and wireless charging were available. Despite the smaller optional screen, the Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information, aided by smart design touches like the pedestrian-detection icon.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had notable flaws, including the absence of a touchscreen display. The centre console controls required visual reference, and the steering-wheel controls were hard to read. The voice-recognition system lacked conversational capabilities, leading to a 50% success rate in executing commands. The absence of a tuning knob was another drawback. Despite these issues, the 8.8-inch display was well-integrated, with pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. The CX-30 offered Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system in higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, 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+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 improved its side-impact crash protection with standard rear side airbags and seatbelt tensioners. It received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with only the Honda HR-V earning a higher "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The CX-30 offered a range of safety features, with higher trims adding adaptive front lighting, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking system worked effectively, though it could be overly sensitive in certain situations.