2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

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, making the Trailblazer stand out among subcompact crossovers. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of leatherette upholstery and various textures, providing a unique personality, although it didn't scream "outdoor adventure."

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design inspired by Japanese bullet trains. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a sleek appearance with 17 to 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim. The Sienna's interior was a haven of practicality, with ample storage solutions and a focus on family-friendly features. The Platinum trim, although not available in Canada, showcased high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna's seating configurations allowed for seven or eight passengers, with the middle row supporting three car seats. The Sienna's design emphasized functionality and comfort, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-litre turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-litre engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-litre engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive. The Trailblazer's AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a continuously variable transmission. The Activ model, with its AWD and 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note, 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 exhibited some body roll typical of high-riding vehicles.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered 245 net system horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The continuously variable transmission tended to climb the rev band, resulting in a less-than-ideal sound. Despite its lackluster acceleration, the Sienna's chassis and steering impressed with nimbleness and ease of handling, making it enjoyable to drive around town and on the highway. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs available, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. Its cargo space measured 716 litres with the second-row seats in place and 1,540 litres with them folded, respectable for the segment. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, but the small carve-out above the dashboard seemed impractical.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions, with a large open cubby below the centre console and a long shelf extending across the dash. The Sienna's three-zone climate control and ample cupholders added to its family-friendly appeal. Measuring 5,175 millimetres in length, the Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 2,129 litres with it folded. Total cargo space reached 2,860 litres, although the middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added comfort and flexibility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen felt small by modern standards, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable. However, the interface was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on Toyota's older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sienna's interface included physical buttons, which some users appreciated for their ease of use. However, the system felt outdated, with wired connections required for smartphone integration and a lack of dedicated buttons for certain functions. Despite these quirks, the Sienna's technology was reliable, and the 9-inch touchscreen didn't appear undersized. The 12-speaker JBL premium audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted 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 Top Safety Pick+ designation 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 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were part of the Toyota Safety Sense package, enhancing the Sienna's family-friendly appeal. The Sienna earned a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, showcasing Toyota's commitment to safety.