2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Hyundai Kona

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, echoing the design cues of its larger sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to strike a balance between ruggedness and sophistication, with intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim enhancing its upscale appearance. The Activ and RS models offered distinct styling, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS embraced a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a touch of retro flair, making the Trailblazer stand out in the subcompact crossover segment. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of leatherette upholstery and unique colour combinations, providing a distinctive yet somewhat unconventional interior design.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic in mind, showcasing a grille reminiscent of the Ioniq 5 and a seamless horizon LED headlight. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding. The Kona's interior was notably updated, featuring a driver-oriented centre stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The gear shift was relocated to the steering column, creating additional storage space between the driver and front passenger. Overall, the Kona's design updates provided a modern and spacious feel, enhancing both its visual appeal and functionality.

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 (FWD), while the 1.3-litre engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, delivered a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note, although the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, provided a comfortable ride on pavement, despite some body roll and occasional bouncing over road imperfections.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for the Essential and Preferred trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. During a test drive in the U.S. equivalent of the Kona N Line, the turbo engine provided adequate power, while the intuitive steering and nimble handling impressed on narrow city streets. FWD was standard across the lineup, with AWD available for an additional fee on Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line. The Kona's fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain, with AWD models consuming slightly more fuel than their FWD counterparts.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs available, offered a substantial presence. It was wider and taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase that improved passenger space. The Trailblazer provided decent utility, matching the Kia Seltos in headroom and offering more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona. However, its cargo space of 716 litres with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded was respectable but not class-leading. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although the small carve-out above the dashboard seemed impractical for holding items securely.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, offering 970 millimetres of rear-seat legroom, significantly more than the previous generation and the Toyota Corolla Cross. The new front seats created a more comfortable space for rear passengers, and headroom increased to 974 mm front and 972 mm rear with the sunroof. The Kona's cargo capacity expanded to 723 litres with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them folded, providing over 500 litres more space than the first-gen model. Inside, the Kona featured a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a "guardrail" on the wireless charging pad to keep items secure. The seating options varied by trim, with cloth, leatherette, and leather/suede combinations available, and ventilated front seats offered for the first time on the N Line with the Ultimate package.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging 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 combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges provided clear information, with smart design touches aiding comprehension.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological upgrades, including a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were integrated on all trims except the N Line with the Ultimate package, which required wired connections due to compatibility issues with the onboard navigation system. Hyundai promised an over-the-air update to address this. The Kona featured a standard six-speaker system, with a Bose stereo system available on the N Line's Ultimate package. Dual 12.3-inch displays created a panoramic view in the N Line, and OTA update capability was standard. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services and a digital key feature were also included for the first time in Canada.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a comprehensive suite of 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, with top scores in crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover testing.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona continued Hyundai's tradition of offering advanced safety features across its lineup. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. For 2024, high-beam assist became standard, and adaptive cruise control was included from the Preferred trim. The N Line's Ultimate package added Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist, providing a confident driving experience. The system's user interface allowed for easy management of driver-assistance features.