2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, striking a balance between SUV toughness and upscale appearance. Intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, added a touch of sophistication. The Activ and RS models featured unique styling elements, with the Activ aiming for a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier, boy-racer aesthetic. Contrasting roofs in red, black, or white, depending on the model and exterior color, gave the Trailblazer a distinctive and retro look.

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

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo’s earlier, boxy designs. The front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern flair. The XC90’s dimensions and shape leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the toaster-like designs of the past. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding drama to the otherwise stoic XC90.

Inside, the XC90’s design was elegant, with a gorgeous two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The interior had a beautiful and clean look, with wood deco inlays adding a touch of nature. The minimalist design featured few buttons or physical controls, giving the cabin a sleek and modern 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.

The Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD, the nine-speed automatic, and the 1.3-liter engine. The throttle response was more pleasant in the Trailblazer compared to the Buick Encore GX, providing a decent amount of shove and a pleasing exhaust note. The nine-speed automatic, however, exhibited some rough shifts. Activ models had dampers tuned for better performance on gravel roads, but they worked well on pavement too. The Trailblazer felt composed and nimble, with good ride quality, although some bouncing was noticed over certain road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike most competitors’ automatic systems. The Trailblazer also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, but the differences were subtle.

For 2023, Volvo replaced the older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, like the T6, used a supercharger and a turbo with mild-hybrid tech to churn out 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but didn’t offer significant fuel-economy benefits.

The XC90’s mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery pack to power a 13-volt starter generator, handling tasks like climate control and ignition. This setup made the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology almost imperceptible. The XC90 delivered an enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Road and wind noise were minimal, thanks to excellent insulation. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90 didn’t have extensive off-road features, focusing instead on a simple driving experience. During a New Hampshire snowstorm, the XC90 performed well, although dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on sale, offered decent utility. It was 3.4 inches wider and about an inch taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer four-door, with a longer wheelbase for better passenger space. The Trailblazer matched the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom and offered more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use but less so for long road trips due to relatively flat cushions.

The Trailblazer provided 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, respectable figures for the segment. However, it fell short of the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V in cargo capacity. The Trailblazer’s towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds. Up front, the Trailblazer featured a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. A small carve-out above the dashboard’s function was unclear.

The 2023 Volvo XC90’s front seats offered a peaceful and pleasant experience, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There wasn’t a dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port for plugging in a phone was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but captain’s chairs for six-passenger seating were available for an additional $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine.

Accessing the third row was difficult with the second-row bench seat in place. Once in the third row, space was limited. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These figures fell short of competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. The XC90 drove like a smaller car than typical three-row SUVs, reflecting its smaller dimensions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, 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 offerings 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 Trailblazer’s 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 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, making Volvo the first company to feature this technology as the standard infotainment system. Google OS integrated much of Google’s Android Auto, including Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. Natural-language recognition, a strength of Google, enhanced the user experience. Owners could also issue commands to their XC90 via Google Home devices.

Despite the impressive Google OS, Volvo filed too many key functions within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The XC90’s minimalist design lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, making it cumbersome to adjust features like the heated steering wheel and driver’s seat position. While these issues might fade with long-term use, they could be frustrating during a test drive.

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 received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo’s legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS in 2022. The XC90’s advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and provided gentle lane corrections. These safety features were standard on the 2023 Volvo XC90.