2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

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 model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model sported a more aggressive look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive flair, although not exclusive to Chevy, as other subcompact crossovers also offered similar features. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, providing a unique personality despite its predominantly black interior.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, maintained a more conservative design approach, focusing on proper proportions and chiseled styling to convey a rugged purpose. The Rogue lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials. The Rogue's interior was designed for comfort, with features like a triple-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. However, the rear seat comfort was less impressive, with low-mounted cushions and quilted pleats that felt uncomfortable. Despite this, the Rogue offered ample storage space and practical features like rear climate controls and USB charging ports.

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 Trailblazer's AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a CVT. The Activ model, with its AWD and 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent driving experience, although the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, but it did experience some body roll and bouncing over road imperfections.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, featured a new 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The Rogue's VC-Turbo engine offered responsive performance in urban settings, although it lacked passing power on the highway. The CVT's simulated gear changes could feel dramatic, and the engine's unusual note and vibration might be off-putting to some drivers. The Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, although it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads. The steering felt lifeless, but the Rogue maintained a consistent handling character.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided 716 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded. However, its towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although some design choices, like the small dashboard carve-out, were puzzling.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a family car replacement, offered ample space for four people and could accommodate a fifth person if needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery and heated front seats, although ventilated seats were not available. The Rogue's rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy access, and the rear seat offered climate controls and USB ports. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low cushions and uncomfortable quilted pleats. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, with up to 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with them folded, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide feature.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose audio system were available. While the Trailblazer's tech features were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not offered. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, however, used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle featured the larger screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with specific requests. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well despite the rainy test conditions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and optional ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue's safety ratings included a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, although it received lower scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal-impact collisions.