Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and modern aesthetic, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of many crossovers. Its design featured a low roofline with slanted front and rear pillars, complemented by a prominent grille and stacked headlights. Despite its road car styling cues, the Blazer maintained the visual heft of an SUV, thanks to its elevated ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS model, in particular, stood out with its blackout trim, vibrant Red Hot paint, and distinctive 21-inch wheels, making it a striking choice in the mainstream crossover segment. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with unique twisted elements, revised grille and LED headlight designs, and additional wheel options. The interior echoed a sporty vibe, reminiscent of the Camaro, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents. Higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, with the RS model showcasing blue trim and a two-tone upholstery scheme.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, integrated seamlessly into the existing Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille flanked by LED projector headlights and daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid. The rear design was equally impressive, with wide-spaced letters and LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid boasted a refined cabin with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heating elements. Higher trims offered Nappa leather upholstery and additional comfort features. The interior design emphasized organic shapes and thoughtful storage solutions, providing a sense of craftsmanship not commonly found in non-luxury crossovers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer retained its powertrain options from the previous year, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as standard on the base LT model. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, was optional on the LT and standard on other trims. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors with automatic switching. The V6-powered Blazer RS demonstrated impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, though it wasn't a performance SUV. Its handling was affected by its weight and top-heavy design, but it offered a comfortable highway ride with Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's towing capacity was 2,041 kilograms, aligning with other midsize SUVs.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of sluggish hybrids, offering a dynamic driving experience. It featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power distribution, enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was notably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass. While the engine's noise was noticeable under hard acceleration, the overall driving experience was peaceful. The steering was sharp, providing a responsive feel, though the pedal feel was softer. The Palisade Hybrid offered a balanced and enjoyable ride for a family SUV.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from the driver's seat. It provided competitive front-seat headroom and legroom, though rear-seat headroom was slightly below average. The Blazer's cargo space measured 864 litres with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, trailing behind some rivals. Despite this, the Blazer was easy to maneuver, with short overhangs aiding parking. Functional interior details included USB ports and innovative air vent controls. A heated steering wheel was standard on the RS trim but unavailable on lower models.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, surpassing some competitors but trailing others like the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot. The battery placement affected second-row legroom, but it remained competitive. The third row offered less legroom and headroom compared to some rivals. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C outlets, and available captain's chairs. It featured numerous storage solutions, enhancing practicality for families.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, though a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system would have been appreciated. The Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, with a large touchscreen and user-friendly interface.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported HD and Sirius XM radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off, enhancing convenience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was available on all trims, and additional safety features were optional. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's advanced Super Cruise system.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims. The Palisade Hybrid's ADAS tech performed reliably during testing. While crash-test ratings for the 2026 model were unavailable, the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.