2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It presented a purposeful yet understated front end, with a solid grille that was assertive without being flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall rectilinear shape was far from the toaster-like designs of the 1980s and 90s. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90 was elegant, with two-tone leather on the steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer continued its aggressive styling with a minor refresh that accentuated its sporty theme. The top accent lights were thinner, the grille reshaped, and the lower headlights smaller and set deeper, giving it a more athletic and serious appearance. Inside, the dashboard received a thorough makeover with a new digital instrument panel and an 11-inch touchscreen, blending cohesively for a modern look. The materials on the doors and dash had convincing graining but were made from harder plastic, common in non-luxury subcompact SUVs. The available fabric inserts in the door panels added a touch of warmth, making the space more inviting.

For 2023, the Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, featuring both a supercharger and a turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. These mild-hybrid systems improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. Despite its bulky dimensions, the XC90 handled corners well and kept road and wind noise at bay. The AWD system performed admirably in a New Hampshire snowstorm, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrains. The base 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT that degraded performance with slow responses. The more powerful 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, available in the Activ trim, delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the 1.3-liter engine was adequate, it required planning for highway acceleration and passing. The Trailblazer's braking was predictable, and its handling was average, focusing more on comfort than spirited driving. The ride quality was smooth, with road and wind noise kept to a minimum.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. With the third row in place, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. This fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer provided ample space up front, with good outward visibility and a well-placed wireless charging pad. The front seats were firmly padded, with heated seats standard on all but the base trim. The rear seats offered plenty of legroom and space for rear-facing infant seats, making it a good choice for transporting passengers. The Trailblazer excelled in cargo space, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, nearly matching the Hyundai Kona and surpassing the Volkswagen Taos and Mazda CX-30. The available hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. It included Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. While the natural-language recognition was excellent, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, which could be inconvenient for some users.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer's new 11-inch touchscreen was standard on all trims, though it had a slight delay in response. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with satellite radio. The digital instrument panel was easy to read, but the lack of a native navigation system meant relying on smartphone connectivity. The base six-speaker audio system was adequate, with an optional Bose upgrade for better sound quality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, all standard.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer also received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and "good" scores from the IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Confidence package added a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.