2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, which was a positive attribute. It balanced SUV toughness without appearing exaggerated, and details like intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, gave it a more upscale look than many vehicles in its price range. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier appearance. 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 test car had a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. 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 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a total height of 74.2 inches. The front end looked ready to dominate the road, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX’s short wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was engineered for off-road capability.

The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment. While it had heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery, the abundance of plastic materials belied its luxury status. The GX’s low sales volume meant Lexus had to keep manufacturing costs low, resulting in a dated design. Despite this, the GX’s driving dynamics were surprisingly good, with strong brakes and a communicative road 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 had 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 than in the Buick Encore GX, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The nine-speed automatic, however, had some rough shifts. Activ models had dampers tuned for better performance on gravel roads, but they worked well on pavement too. The Trailblazer exhibited typical body roll for a high-riding vehicle but felt composed and nimble. Ride quality was generally good, though some bouncing over road imperfections was noted. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike most competitors’ automatic systems. The Trailblazer also had Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, but Sport mode didn’t make a noticeable difference.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. While not impressive on paper compared to newer engines, the V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery and a pleasing sound. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The GX’s weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and solid. The GX had a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, distributing power in a 40:60 front:rear split, adjustable based on wheel slip. This made the GX user-friendly in various driving conditions. Despite its age, Lexus continued to improve the GX’s driving dynamics, making it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer was one of the smallest SUVs on sale but still substantial. It was 3.4 inches wider and about an inch taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer. The Trailblazer’s wheelbase was about three inches longer, benefiting passenger space. It offered decent utility compared to rivals, matching the Kia Seltos on headroom and beating the Hyundai Kona on legroom. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use but not ideal for long trips. The Trailblazer had 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, respectable but behind the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V.

The Trailblazer’s interior had smart storage solutions, including a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. However, the small carve-out above the dashboard was puzzling, as items placed there could fly into the passenger’s face during hard braking.

The 2023 Lexus GX had plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a space ahead of the shifter for a phone, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked USB-C ports, having only USB-A ports. The door pockets were also small for larger water bottles. Lexus retained hard buttons for controls, which was a blessing for those who disliked touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms to adjust the armrest for different-sized occupants.

The second row was comfortable, with captain’s chairs and fold-out cupholders. A three-across bench seat was standard, with cupholders in a fold-down center armrest. Legroom was adequate, and headroom was excellent. The third row, however, was too tight for regular use, even for children. The GX had a side-hinged door that required muscle to open and offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. With the third row folded, it had 46.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it had 64.7 cubic feet, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. Despite these options, the Trailblazer’s tech might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, as the optional touchscreen was still relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster wasn’t available.

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 effectively conveyed information. Smart touches like a person-shaped icon for the pedestrian-detection system and an indicator for the engine start/stop system aided comprehension.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a significant improvement over the old system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX came with three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a remote-start feature operable from a smartphone. Our test car had a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo and a CD player.

However, the GX’s tech offerings felt dated compared to other Lexus models. The touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX’s infotainment technology was not its strong suit, but its off-road capability was impressive. It had a real 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, low range, and a locking center differential. Other driving-focused technology included downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The GX also had the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and an Off-Road Package with a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like 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 with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer was named a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its 14-year-old design, the GX had modern safety features.