2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The black molding strips on the roof were removed, and the windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip. The test model was showcased in a unique Nordic Forest Pearl colour, enhancing its refined aesthetic. Inside, the HR-V offered a comfortable cabin with black cloth seats, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the Sport trim. The EX-L trim featured perforated leather seats, although the eight-way power driver's seat was unavailable in Canada due to supply shortages. The interior design followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with premium touches like a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer, exuding SUV toughness without appearing exaggerated. Intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, gave it an upscale look. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS boasted blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The Trailblazer's interior, though not adventure-themed, had distinctive design touches like grab handles and a creased dashboard. The Activ model's leatherette upholstery and copper-toned trim added personality to the cabin. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer provided a comfortable ride, although the flat rear seat cushions made long journeys less appealing.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by shifting the gear lever. Snow mode adjusted the transmission and throttle response for better traction, while ECON mode optimized fuel efficiency. Despite updates for a quieter cabin, the HR-V remained noisy at higher speeds. The HR-V's new suspension and widened tracks improved its driving dynamics, making it enjoyable on mountain roads, though it lacked power compared to competitors with multiple powertrain options.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came standard with a 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 offered both FWD and all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models had a CVT, while AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD and the 1.3-litre engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, though the Activ-specific damper tuning caused some bouncing over road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors with automatic systems.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its compact size. The centre console featured a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports, providing convenient storage for cords and phones. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed a centimetre of rear-seat headroom, with measurements of 1,002 mm in the front and 965.3 mm in the rear. Cargo space was 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded, slightly smaller than the previous model. The HR-V's passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L interior growing slightly. The rear seats offered a higher seating position for easier entry and egress, and they created a nearly flat floor when folded down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, one of the smallest SUVs available, still provided substantial space. It was wider and taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase for improved passenger space. The Trailblazer offered generous headroom, matching the Kia Seltos, but had mid-pack legroom. It provided more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX and slightly more headroom in both rows. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use, though flat cushions made long trips less appealing. The Trailblazer's cargo space was 716 litres with the rear seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded, slightly less than the HR-V. The Trailblazer's interior featured smart storage solutions, including a covered bin, deep tray, and cupholders, though a small dashboard carve-out's purpose was unclear.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical knobs for power and volume. The EX-L trim offered additional buttons for Home, Back, and Seek functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen display, with the EX-L offering a 9-inch infotainment display and a wireless charging pad. The 9-inch system featured programmable shortcuts and Smart Shortcuts for personalized use. Standard features included three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, remote start, and a four-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering more speakers and additional features.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, the 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with 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 like a pedestrian-detection icon and engine start/stop indicator.

The 2023 Honda HR-V included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard on all trims, addressing previous critiques. This suite featured adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. New for 2023 were traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard, with EX-L adding front and rear parking sensors. The HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered standard safety features like 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 earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Trailblazer a five-star overall safety rating, with high scores in crash-test categories.