Chevrolet Blazer vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek, road-car-inspired design, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of crossovers. Its low roofline and leaned-back pillars contributed to a streamlined profile, while the tall ride height and body sides maintained the visual weight of an SUV. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, creating a striking presence for a mainstream crossover. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, and refreshed grille and LED headlight designs. The interior boasted a sportier aesthetic, reminiscent of the Camaro, with an upright dashboard and large round air vents. Higher trim levels offered leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control, with the Blazer RS featuring blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign, resulting in a more cohesive yet conventional look. Its blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft, resembling a fun-sized Ford Explorer. The Forester Hybrid shared its rugged appearance with its non-hybrid sibling, featuring black plastic elements hinting at off-road potential. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous character with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin offered a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats providing ample cushioning and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats and a ventilation system for added comfort. While some felt the Forester lost some personality, its design aimed for broader appeal.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered two powertrain options carried over from the previous model year. The base LT model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 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, with all-wheel drive (AWD) standard in Canada. The Blazer's AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some rivals with automatic switching. The V6-powered Blazer RS impressed with its quick acceleration and sporty exhaust note, though its handling was affected by its weight and top-heavy design. The Blazer's 2,041-kilogram towing capacity was competitive for its class, but its off-road capabilities were limited.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, paired with a parallel hybrid system using two motor/generators. This setup produced a combined 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain included a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an AWD system with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission's continuous operation made it feel slower than it was. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. Its ride quality was firm but manageable, with larger wheels contributing to some road undulations.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious interior with nearly identical front-seat headroom to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport. Rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer provided 864 litres of cargo space with rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. Despite this, the Blazer felt spacious from the driver's seat, with short overhangs aiding maneuverability. Functional interior details included USB ports and a unique temperature control system. A heated steering wheel was standard on the RS trim but unavailable on lower models.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an open, airy cockpit with thin front roof pillars for an unobstructed view. The front seats accommodated various body types, while the rear seats provided ample legroom and headroom. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. The Forester Hybrid included a wireless charging pad, though its hard surface allowed phones to slide. Storage options were adequate, with USB ports and air vents for rear passengers. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space measured 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience. Its upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, though it offered less space than some rivals.

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, with a large touchscreen and easy-to-navigate menus. However, the lack of a dedicated button for the optional 360-degree camera system was noted. The Blazer's tech presentation was competitive, with a new-for-2023 touchscreen among the largest in its segment.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came 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 easy-to-use menus. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for no-look temperature adjustments, though secondary functions could be distracting. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible via the touchscreen, with external camera views aiding off-road navigation. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered the standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control was available on all trims for 2023. Optional safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating from the latter.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in most categories and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, featuring frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, including a driver attention monitor and surround-view monitor. The Forester Hybrid's safety systems performed reliably, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.