2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

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 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price, with $1,875 of that for the standard four-wheel-drive system. The remaining cost covered retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge.

The 40 ASE had a strong SoCal vibe with its retro stripes and bronze wheels, reminiscent of the 1970s. The fifth-generation 4Runner had the look and stance of truck-based SUVs of the past, giving it enduring appeal. The interior, while covered in plastic, felt solid and of quality, with easy-to-use controls even when wearing gloves. The 4Runner’s purposeful design and nostalgic touches made it stand out, even if it lacked some modern refinements.

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. However, the nine-speed automatic had some rough shifts. The Activ model’s dampers, tuned for gravel roads, worked well on pavement, and the Trailblazer felt composed and nimble despite some body roll. The ride quality was generally good, though there was some bouncing over road imperfections. 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 Toyota 4Runner had a 4.0-liter V6 engine making 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to a 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Two 4WD systems were available: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim. The EPA fuel economy rating was 17 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 16.9 mpg in the 40 ASE.

The 4Runner had a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance, standard Hill-Start Assist Control, and additional off-roading technologies like locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims had suspensions tuned for off-road performance. The 4Runner impressed us off-road, handling thick mud and standing water with ease. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a brake pedal that was difficult to modulate. The 4Runner felt invincible off-road but had limitations on paved roads.

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 rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded, respectable but behind the Kia Seltos. It could tow only 1,000 pounds.

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

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner’s back window powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent flow-through ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. Climbing into the 4Runner required effort for shorter individuals, but the seats were comfortable. The 40 ASE had SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. The 4Runner had numerous storage locations, though many lacked rubber liners, causing items to slide and rattle.

The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom, decent headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The seat provided excellent leg support and a properly angled backrest. The optional third-row seat was uncomfortable, took up cargo space, and left no room for cargo when in use. The tailgate had a bumper that doubled as a seat, and the cargo area had several storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The 4Runner had 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s standard infotainment system included a 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. The Trailblazer’s tech was adequate for most buyers, though the optional touchscreen was small by current standards, 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 Toyota 4Runner had traditional analog gauges with a narrow digital driver information center and an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Several connected services plans were available, with complimentary trial subscriptions. The 4Runner could also be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. Both audio systems were bass-heavy, requiring adjustments for tolerable sound quality. The infotainment system’s home screen displayed the radio station, navigation map, and phone contacts simultaneously. The voice recognition system performed well, handling most commands accurately and quickly, though it couldn’t find reggae music or change the cabin temperature.

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 with lane-change assist, 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 Toyota 4Runner’s standard safety features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.