2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet stylish 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 featuring a faux skid plate and roof rails, while the RS embraced a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive flair, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colours like Nitro Yellow. Inside, the Trailblazer Activ model featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a unique, albeit eclectic, interior design.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport maintained a more traditional design, with minimal updates since its 2022 refresh. It featured a straightforward design language, with a focus on practicality across its trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition. The TrailSport trim aimed for a rugged appearance with all-terrain tires and standard roof rails, but its off-road capabilities were more cosmetic than functional. Inside, the Passport offered a simple and utilitarian design, with black leather upholstery and orange stitching in the TrailSport trim. The interior was spacious, with ample storage and straightforward controls, but lacked the modern flair seen in some of Honda's newer models.

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 pound-feet 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 limited to front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-litre engine offered both FWD and AWD options. The AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which, despite some rough shifts, provided a decent driving experience. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors with automatic systems. It also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences were subtle.

The 2024 Honda Passport, on the other hand, was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered smooth acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. The TrailSport trim featured mechanical enhancements for off-road driving, including wider tracks and off-road-tuned suspension. Honda's torque-vectoring iVTM4 AWD system and traction-management settings added value, but the Passport's fuel economy was less impressive, rated at 12.5 L/100 km in the city and 9.8 on the highway. The Passport's towing capacity of 2,268 kg was competitive, though it fell short of some rivals.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs available, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. Its cargo space measured 716 litres with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded, which was respectable for its class. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kg, and its cargo space was pushed to the limit with a weekend's worth of luggage for three people. Up front, the Trailblazer featured clever storage solutions, including a covered bin and a deep tray, though the dashboard's small carve-out seemed impractical.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's interior was spacious, comfortably accommodating five adults, though rear-seat legroom was slightly tighter than some competitors. The front featured a redesigned centre console with increased storage, though it sacrificed some of the airy feel. Overall, the Passport's interior was practical and well-suited for families or those needing ample cargo space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose audio system were available, though the tech offerings might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers. The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics, despite the lack of a fully digital instrument cluster.

The 2024 Honda Passport, however, featured an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt small given the vehicle's size. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a wireless charging pad. The system's resolution and response speed were impressive, but the navigation system's persistent turn-by-turn directions were a minor annoyance. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was underwhelming, especially compared to competitors with premium sound systems.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with high marks for crash prevention and overall safety.

The 2024 Honda Passport also offered a robust set of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Passport's crash test ratings were less impressive, with the IIHS rating it "Acceptable" in some tests and the NHTSA awarding it four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. Despite this, the Passport's comprehensive safety features provided peace of mind for drivers.