2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 caricature territory. The intricate headlight and taillight designs, along with dark chrome trim, lent the Trailblazer an upscale appearance uncommon in its price range. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ embracing a rugged look through a model-specific front fascia and faux skid plate, while the RS leaned towards a sportier aesthetic with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options in red, black, or white added a distinctive touch, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colours like Nitro Yellow. Inside, the Trailblazer Activ featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, providing a unique, albeit eclectic, interior design.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's past boxy designs, offering a purposeful yet understated look. Its front end was solid and assertive, complemented by the iconic "Thor’s Hammer" headlights that added a modern flair. The XC90's dimensions maintained a rectilinear shape, but it was far from the utilitarian designs of the past. The Ultimate trim test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90 boasted an elegant design with two-tone leather steering, metal speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior was accentuated by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

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 offered both FWD and AWD options. The Trailblazer Activ test car featured AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-litre engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, performed well on pavement, though some bouncing was noted over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. It also offered Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences were subtle.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B6 powertrain, with a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than the T6 but with improved fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, enhancing fuel-saving features like auto stop-start technology. The XC90 provided a smooth driving experience with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Its large wheels and thin tires minimized body roll, and the brakes offered a solid pedal feel. The XC90's driving dynamics were straightforward, with a manual shift feature and off-road mode, but lacked extensive customizable options, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered substantial space. It was wider and taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase enhancing passenger space. The Trailblazer provided generous headroom and mid-pack legroom, surpassing the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX in rear legroom. Its cargo space of 716 litres with seats up and 1,540 litres with seats folded was respectable, though behind the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered bin and deep tray, but the small dashboard carve-out's purpose remained unclear.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant yet faced storage challenges due to Scandinavian minimalism. The front seats offered a peaceful experience, but cubby space was limited, with no dedicated phone space and a small centre console bin. The second row was comfortable but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 offered a seven-passenger configuration with a second-row bench or six-passenger with captain's chairs. The third row was difficult to access, and cargo space was limited to 356 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,856 litres with seats folded, falling short of competitors like the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio, rear USB ports, and wireless charging were available. While the optional touchscreen was small by modern standards, it was well-suited to the Trailblazer's dashboard, offering easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information, with smart design touches aiding comprehension.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering included a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, integrating much of Android Auto. It featured Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with Apple CarPlay compatibility. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showcased Google Maps. The XC90's natural-language recognition, powered by Google, enhanced the user experience, and commands could be issued via Google Home devices. However, many functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. While the minimalist design was appealing, more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been beneficial. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with 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 received a 2022 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 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2022. It featured standard advanced driver safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist provided gentle nudges and vibrations to keep the vehicle on track. These technologies supported Volvo's Pilot Assist, maintaining distance from the car ahead from a standstill to highway speed, all as standard equipment.