2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

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 intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ leaning towards a rugged aesthetic and the RS embracing a sportier look. The contrasting roof colours added a distinctive flair, especially in combinations like the white roof with Nitro Yellow paint. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin featured a mix of materials and colours, such as leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim, which added personality to the otherwise black interior.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover with a spacious interior and a design inspired by rugged vehicles. It was larger than its competitors, offering a blockier design akin to the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Grand Highlander came in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering varying levels of luxury. The interior boasted ample space, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable road-trip vehicle, with high-quality materials and a well-built interior that promised durability over time.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, featuring 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 Trailblazer offered different transmissions based on drivetrain choice, with FWD models using a CVT and AWD models equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Activ model, with its AWD and 1.3-litre engine, provided a decent driving experience, though the nine-speed automatic showed some rough shifts. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. It also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though the differences between them were subtle.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain boasted 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with AWD in Canada. The Grand Highlander prioritized comfort over sporty performance, with solid brakes and adequate acceleration. It offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. The steering felt somewhat disconnected, but the Grand Highlander remained a well-sorted vehicle for its size.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided 716 litres of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 1,540 litres with them folded. While it couldn't match the cargo capacity of some rivals, it still offered respectable space for its segment. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, though its towing capacity was limited to 454 kilograms.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander stood out with its impressive size, offering more space than its primary rivals. With a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, it surpassed competitors like the Kia Telluride. Even with all three rows up, it provided 583 litres of cargo space. The Grand Highlander excelled in passenger comfort, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. Its spacious interior made it a compelling choice for families seeking a comfortable and roomy vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 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 was relatively small by current standards.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Toyota interfaces. It offered an intelligent assistant, cloud-based navigation, and 24/7 live agent assistance through a connected-services subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. While Toyota's tech offerings had improved, buyers were encouraged to review subscription options carefully.

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 tech and overall safety.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, as a new model, had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and blind-spot monitoring. The Platinum grade included additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.