2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet stylish SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It managed to balance ruggedness with sophistication, thanks to intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ embracing a rugged aesthetic through features like a faux skid plate and chunky tires, while the RS leaned towards a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, making the Trailblazer stand out in the subcompact crossover segment. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin featured a mix of materials and colors, providing a unique personality, though it didn't scream "outdoor adventure."

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, maintained a more understated exterior, with minimal visual differences from the standard RX 350. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, distinguished itself with a performance-oriented design, including a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling elements. The RX's design, while not traditionally beautiful, offered a clean and minimalistic interior. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its size, the new RX appeared smaller due to design choices, but it embraced contemporary textures and ambient lighting.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 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). The Trailblazer Activ test car featured AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-liter engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, though some rough shifts were noted with the nine-speed automatic. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems. The Trailblazer also offered Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though Sport mode's impact was minimal.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, employed a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a Direct4 AWD system, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but was expected to achieve only 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h offered an engaging driving experience with adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and fuel economy fell short of expectations. The RX 350h, while less powerful, provided a more secure and efficient driving experience, averaging 32 mpg.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility. It matched the Kia Seltos in headroom and provided more rear legroom than its Buick Encore GX sibling. The Trailblazer's cargo space measured 25.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, though it fell short of the Kia Seltos. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, but the cargo capacity was limited for larger loads. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was rated at 1,000 pounds, reflecting its subcompact nature.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h Luxury model, offered a comfortable and luxurious interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, affecting rear headroom but providing excellent leg support and legroom. The RX's cargo space increased to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded, a significant improvement over the previous model. However, it still fell short compared to some rivals.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were available. While the Trailblazer's tech features were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not offered. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. While the system generally worked well, it had limitations, such as the inability to view multiple screen menus simultaneously and reflections on the touchscreen. The available head-up display featured dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be problematic for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the new infotainment system represented a significant upgrade for the RX.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features, including 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 received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks for crash prevention technology.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist was also available, automatically slowing the RX to maintain a safe following distance. While the safety features generally operated with refinement, some irritations were noted, such as the front cross-traffic alert system's reliance on visual indicators and the curve-speed reduction tech's reactive nature. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.