2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet stylish SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It exuded a balanced SUV toughness without veering into exaggeration, thanks to its intricate headlight and taillight designs and dark chrome trim, which lent it an 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 sported a more aggressive 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 showcased a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a splash of personality to the otherwise black interior. The cabin, while not overtly adventurous, featured design elements like grab handles and a creased dashboard that set it apart. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer managed to offer a comfortable and stylish interior, appealing to those seeking a blend of practicality and flair.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, prioritized function over form, maintaining a design that had remained consistent over the years. Its appearance was characterized by a boxy silhouette, flared fenders, and pincer-shaped lighting, giving it a utilitarian look. The Premier trim, however, stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome trim, adding a touch of elegance. The Forester's robust roof rails were a practical feature, capable of supporting a tent or sporting equipment.

Inside, the Forester Premier offered a blend of brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, creating a traditional Subaru interior. The cabin was designed for practicality, with analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an abundance of hard plastic for easy cleaning. The control layout relied on traditional buttons and knobs, ensuring ease of use. While the Forester's design was busy, it was functional, making it a reliable choice for those who valued practicality over aesthetics.

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 lb-ft 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). The Trailblazer's AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Our Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, delivered a pleasant driving experience with a responsive throttle and a pleasing exhaust note. The nine-speed automatic, though occasionally rough, provided decent performance. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, offered a composed and nimble ride on pavement, though some bouncing was noted over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitor systems that switched automatically.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness, while the X-Mode off-road traction control system included Deep Snow and Mud settings on higher trims. The Forester Wilderness trim further enhanced off-road capability with all-terrain tires and modifications.

During testing, the Forester Premier demonstrated its prowess in adverse weather conditions, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. The Forester's driving dynamics were commendable, with light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. While the engine was adequate, it was louder than expected, and a turbocharged option would have been appreciated. The Forester's fuel economy fell short of official ratings, highlighting the need for a more efficient powertrain.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs available, offered a substantial presence. It was wider and taller than the original S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase that improved passenger space. The Trailblazer provided generous headroom and mid-pack legroom, surpassing some rivals in rear legroom. However, the flat rear seat cushions made long journeys less comfortable. Cargo space was respectable, with 716 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded, though it lagged behind some competitors.

Interior storage was well-utilized, with a covered storage bin, deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. However, the small carve-out above the dashboard seemed impractical for storing items securely. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms, reflecting its subcompact nature.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, offering a spacious and practical interior. The Touring trim included features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims added StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's high seating position and large windows provided excellent visibility, making it easy to drive and park.

While the panoramic sunroof allowed for ample natural light, it lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating. The Premier trim's front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked leg support and had a reclined backrest angle. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, preventing water ingress during adverse weather. Interior storage was plentiful, with multiple pockets and a well-designed cargo area. The Forester offered 762 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,957 litres with them folded, providing ample room for luggage and gear.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate, the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable.

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. Smart design touches, like a person-shaped icon for pedestrian detection, enhanced comprehension.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its functionality was commendable. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Starlink connected services. A CD player was a nostalgic touch. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims, though a wireless smartphone charger was absent.

The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system offered a user-friendly interface with separate climate controls, easy-to-use knobs, and main menu buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation. The Forester's tech setup was simple and appealing, despite some reflections on the display.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with standard safety features such as 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 a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating 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 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims included Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the Base trim. The Forester's Rear Automatic Braking system occasionally misinterpreted obstacles, causing abrupt stops.

The Forester's DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, available on higher trims, monitored driver attention and offered gesture control for climate settings. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a step down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award, due to lower scores in new side-impact and frontal-impact tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.