Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a notable departure from its predecessors, showcasing a more compact and aggressive design. Its sporty appearance was enhanced by a minor styling refresh, featuring thinner accent lights and a reshaped grille that gave it a more athletic and serious look. Inside, the Trailblazer boasted a modern dashboard with a digital instrument panel and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, although the use of harder plastics was evident upon closer inspection. Despite this, the interior offered decent materials and padded touchpoints, making it a comfortable choice for daily driving.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained Subaru's signature straightforward design, balancing rugged utility with refined comfort. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with black leather upholstery in Canadian models. Chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch, while standard features like heated front seats and a power moonroof contributed to a pleasant driving experience. The Crosstrek Hybrid's design was evolutionary, with subtle exterior updates that improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

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 CVT, which, unfortunately, degraded performance with slow responses. The more powerful option was a turbocharged 1.3-litre three-cylinder engine delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite the increased power, the Trailblazer's acceleration was sluggish, taking over nine seconds to reach 100 km/h. Handling was average, with a focus on comfort rather than spirited driving.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for improved efficiency and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system and X-Mode traction management enhanced its capability on various terrains, although steering remained light and somewhat disconnected.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer provided ample interior space, with excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. The front seats were firmly padded, offering comfort on long trips, while the rear seats accommodated adult passengers with ease. Cargo space was generous, with 716 litres available behind the rear seats, nearly matching the Hyundai Kona's capacity. The Trailblazer also featured a hands-free power liftgate, adding convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The hybrid's fuel tank remained a substantial 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets for additional storage.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across all trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was user-friendly, it lacked a native navigation system, relying on smartphone connectivity for directions. The base audio system was adequate, with an optional Bose upgrade for enhanced sound quality.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and prone to lag. Despite this, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, although the navigation map was limited to the touchscreen display.

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. Optional features like a blind-spot monitor and adaptive cruise control enhanced safety further.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, while not yet rated for 2026, had mixed results for 2025, with a "Marginal" score in the moderate overlap front crash test. However, it included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The addition of side-curtain airbags aimed to improve safety in future tests.