Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer marked a continuation of the model's aggressive styling, which had been a significant departure from its predecessors. The vehicle's design was characterized by sharp body creases and a sporty appearance reminiscent of the Camaro. The 2024 model year saw a minor styling refresh that further accentuated its sporty theme, with thinner top accent lights and a reshaped grille. Inside, the Trailblazer featured a modern dashboard with a new digital instrument panel and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the materials used were typical of non-luxury subcompact SUVs, the interior was functional and offered decent comfort with padded armrests and fabric inserts.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, was a stylish and impressive vehicle. The base Luxury trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's interior was equally impressive, with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery and a range of comfort features. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The Palisade's interior design was thoughtfully crafted, with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered the front wheels. The Activ-trim test vehicle featured a more powerful 1.3-litre three-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the Trailblazer's performance was average, with a zero to 100 km/h acceleration time exceeding nine seconds. Handling was confident but not particularly spirited, and the ride quality was comfortable, smoothing over road imperfections.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of slow hybrids with its impressive performance. 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 contributed to its dynamic performance. The Palisade Hybrid offered a quiet and smooth ride, with noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass minimizing road and engine noise. The steering was sharp, providing a responsive driving experience, although the pedal feel was somewhat soft.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer provided ample interior space, with good outward visibility and a roomy front cabin. The rear seats offered generous legroom, making it suitable for adult passengers and rear-facing infant seats. The Trailblazer boasted a cargo capacity of up to 716 litres behind the rear seats, nearly matching the Hyundai Kona's 723 litres. The available hands-free power liftgate added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a total cargo capacity of 2,455 litres, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. While the second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery's position, the Palisade still provided ample space for passengers. The third-row legroom was competitive, although not class-leading. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and available captain's chairs for added luxury. The interior featured numerous storage cubbies, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard across all trim levels. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with satellite radio. While the infotainment system's response was slightly delayed, it was user-friendly. The Trailblazer lacked a native navigation system, relying on smartphone connectivity for navigation. The optional Bose premium audio system provided enhanced sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Palisade included a Driver Talk intercom system for easy communication between rows. Most trims offered a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a built-in dashcam. The Palisade introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 Confidence package added a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. While crash test ratings for the 2026 model were not available, the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.