2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Hyundai Tucson

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet robust SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to balance SUV toughness 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 boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof colours added a distinctive flair, especially when paired with vibrant exterior colours like Nitro Yellow. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a unique, albeit eclectic, interior design.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, introduced in its fourth generation, maintained its striking design from previous years. Its sharp angles and integrated headlights created a contemporary and athletic appearance. The Tucson's design was distinct, with each trim level offering unique features, such as the dark chrome grille on the Ultimate trim. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was modern and refined, with a focus on technology and comfort. The absence of a volume dial was a minor inconvenience, but the overall layout was intuitive. The Tucson's interior was spacious, with ample room for passengers and a well-thought-out placement of controls and storage spaces.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-litre turbo-three engine 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 AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a CVT. The Trailblazer Activ model, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent driving experience, although the nine-speed automatic transmission occasionally exhibited rough shifts. The vehicle's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, but some bouncing was noted over road imperfections.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Preferred came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. While the engine was adequate for city driving, it required significant throttle input for highway speeds and passing manoeuvres, resulting in noticeable engine noise. The Tucson's handling and ride quality were commendable, offering a comfortable ride and precise steering. Although not as athletic as some competitors, the Tucson provided a well-rounded driving experience. For those seeking more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid variants offered higher horsepower but came with a unique button-style shifter design.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. 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 the Hyundai Kona in rear legroom. Cargo space was respectable, with 716 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded. However, the Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms. Interior storage was well-utilized, with a covered storage bin, deep tray, and cupholders, although the dashboard's small carve-out was of questionable utility.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled in cargo space, offering up to 2,119 litres with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use. The Tucson's hands-free power liftgate, available on higher trims, provided convenience when loading items. The Tucson accommodated up to five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The interior featured deep cup holders and a centre tray with a wireless charging pad, enhancing practicality and convenience for occupants.

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 system, and wireless phone charging were available. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate, the optional touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available. However, the interface was user-friendly, with large graphics and logical menus.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson boasted a fully digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, the touchscreen and haptic buttons were glove-friendly. The Tucson's remote start system was innovative, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button. The interface was intuitive, although the lack of a volume dial was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with 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 a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park feature. The Tucson received a "Good" rating from the IIHS and a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA.