2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer looked like a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, which was a positive attribute. It had the right amount of SUV toughness without appearing exaggerated, and details like intricate headlight and taillight elements and dark chrome trim gave it a more upscale appearance than many vehicles in its price range. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ aiming for a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier, boy-racer aesthetic. The contrasting roofs in red, black, or white added a distinctive and retro touch, especially with the Nitro Yellow paint on the Activ model.

Inside, the Trailblazer Activ featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, though the front passenger seat lacked power adjustment. The mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim with gray seat inserts added personality to the otherwise black interior. Design touches like grab handles around the center console and the creased look of the dashboard and air vents made the cabin distinctive, even if it didn’t scream “outdoor adventure.”

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer, in contrast, adopted styling cues more akin to road cars, with a low roofline and sleek profile, complemented by a big grille framed by stacked headlights. Despite its sleek design, the Blazer maintained the visual weight of a proper SUV due to its tall ride height and body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle, with its blackout trim, Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, was remarkably striking for a mainstream crossover. Small styling changes for 2023 included new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, tweaked grille and LED headlight designs, and new wheel designs, which kept the styling fresh.

Inside, the Blazer had a sportier aesthetic with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car. Cloth seats were standard, but leather upholstery was available on higher trims. The Blazer RS interior featured blue trim, chrome accents, and a dark blue and black two-tone scheme for the upholstery. The material quality on the high-end Blazer model was impressive, adding to the overall upscale feel.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-liter turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD, the nine-speed automatic, and the 1.3-liter engine. The throttle response was better in the Trailblazer compared to the Buick Encore GX, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The Activ model’s dampers, tuned for better performance on gravel roads, worked well on pavement, though there was some body roll and uncomfortable bouncing over certain road imperfections. The Trailblazer had a selectable AWD system, requiring manual engagement, unlike most competitors that switch automatically. It also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though Sport mode didn’t make a noticeable difference.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year. Most models had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and optional 3LT and Premier trims had a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD or optional AWD. Like other GM crossovers, AWD models defaulted to FWD, requiring manual engagement of AWD.

Our V6-powered Blazer RS test car was left in AWD mode most of the time to manage the power better and avoid torque steer. The V6 engine provided impressive acceleration and a sporty exhaust note, making the Blazer feel quick for a crossover. However, its considerable weight and top-heavy design negatively impacted handling. On the highway, the Blazer was comfortable, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension, though the 21-inch wheels detracted from ride quality. The Blazer’s AWD system, suspension, and tires were designed for pavement, not off-roading, and it had a 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity with the V6 engine and trailering package.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on sale, was still substantial. It was 3.4 inches wider and about an inch taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer four-door, though almost 10 inches shorter in length. The Trailblazer’s wheelbase was about three inches longer, benefiting passenger space. It offered decent utility compared to rivals, matching the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom, though legroom was mid-pack. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use but not ideal for long trips due to flat cushions.

The Trailblazer had 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, respectable for the segment but behind the Kia Seltos. It offered more rear legroom and headroom than the Buick Encore GX. However, its cargo capacity was limited, and it was only rated to tow 1,000 pounds. Up front, designers maximized limited space with a covered storage bin, deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. There was also a small carve-out above the dashboard, though its function was unclear.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from behind the wheel without being too awkward to maneuver. Front-seat headroom was nearly identical to rivals like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, and Nissan Murano, though rear-seat headroom was slightly below average. The Blazer offered 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was behind most rivals. For reference, the Honda Passport offered 41.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Despite the numbers, the Blazer felt spacious and easy to maneuver, with short overhangs making it easy to find the vehicle’s corners when parking. The windshield offered an unobstructed view, contributing to the spacious feel. Functional details like the placement of USB ports and the twist-to-adjust air vents added to the interior’s usability.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer’s tech might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, it was adequate for most. The 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with large, easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges conveyed information effectively.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, including a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging on all trim levels. A 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster display was standard, while RS and Premier trims got an 8-inch display. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. RS and Premier models also had built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

The Blazer’s infotainment system was intuitive, with a sequence of menus that allowed most functions to be reached with minimal touchscreen tapping. The optional 8-inch instrument cluster display complemented the analog gauges, and the new-for-2023 touchscreen was among the largest in the segment.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer was named a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer’s standard Chevy Safety Assist Package included automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control was now available on the 2LT and 3LT trims. Optional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a 360-degree camera system, rear camera mirror, a Safety Alert vibrating driver seat, and GM’s Teen Driver system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.