2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid vs 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer marked a continuation of the sporty design theme that had been introduced with its 2021 revival. This model year saw a minor styling refresh that further accentuated its aggressive appearance, reminiscent of the sporty Camaro. The Trailblazer's top accent lights were made thinner, and the grille was reshaped to suggest a need for more air intake, giving it a more athletic and serious look. Inside, the dashboard received a significant makeover, featuring a new digital instrument panel and a larger 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, which provided a modern aesthetic. However, the digital panel didn't fully occupy its enclosure, leaving some space that seemed a bit downmarket. The materials used in the interior were typical for non-luxury subcompact SUVs, with harder plastics but adequately padded touchpoints. The interior layout was similar to the Volkswagen Taos, while the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered different stylistic approaches.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid introduced a new look for its sixth-generation model, with a more cohesive design that, while losing some distinctiveness, gained a more conventional and rugged appearance. The Forester Hybrid shared its styling with its non-hybrid sibling, with subtle badges distinguishing it. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous design elements, such as a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the rear seating area prioritizing durability. The front seats provided ample cushioning and support, enhanced by the hybrid's ventilation system. While some argued that the Forester lost some personality, it gained broader appeal with its modern design and practical features.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. This setup resulted in slow responses and a droning engine under acceleration. The Activ-trim model came with a more powerful 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite the increased power, acceleration was still sluggish, with a zero to 100 km/h time exceeding nine seconds. The Trailblazer's handling was average, prioritizing comfort over sporty driving, and it smoothed over road imperfections well. Road and wind noise were pleasantly muted at highway speeds.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system featuring two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 horsepower. The hybrid system included an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft, providing better traction and consistent reactions off-road. Acceleration was adequate, with the electric motor responding immediately to pedal input, but the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firmer than expected, with some passenger jostling over moderate road undulations. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a spacious interior with excellent outward visibility. The front seats were firmly padded, providing comfort for long trips, and heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on most trims. The rear seats accommodated adult passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and headroom. Cargo space was generous, with up to 716 litres available behind the rear seats, nearly matching the Hyundai Kona's capacity. The Trailblazer also featured a hands-free power liftgate with a selectable opening height, enhancing convenience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space and comfort, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom. The standard panoramic sunroof added to the sense of openness. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and a deep centre armrest bin. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience. The upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, and handy hooks kept groceries secure during transit.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across all trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's responses were slightly delayed, but the display was well-placed for reduced distraction. A native navigation system was not available, relying on smartphone connectivity instead. The base audio system performed well, with an optional Bose upgrade for enhanced sound quality. Overall, the Trailblazer's technology features were average for the class, with ease of use being a highlight.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system received praise for its large on-screen buttons and intuitive menus. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for easy temperature adjustments, while the X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible with a swipe. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, enhancing the overall audio experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer received five stars in overall, frontal, and side crash evaluations from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the highest score of "good" in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The optional Confidence package added a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain trims, and all systems functioned without issues during testing.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in all NHTSA evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model top scores in most categories, earning it a Top Safety Pick award. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like rear automatic braking and blind spot monitoring were included in the top-trim model. All systems performed reliably, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.