2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact yet stylish SUV, reminiscent of a smaller Chevrolet Blazer. It balanced ruggedness with sophistication, thanks to intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, making the Trailblazer stand out among subcompact crossovers. Inside, the Activ model's leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents provided a unique, albeit eclectic, interior design.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, while similar in shape to its internal combustion engine counterpart, distinguished itself with more decisive lines and a sleeker grille. The EV's LED light bar and body-colored front fascia added a modern touch. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," with two-tone paint jobs available for a youthful appearance. Inside, the Equinox EV provided a range of interior color options, with sporty choices for higher trims. The cabin felt spacious, with comfortable seating and premium features like heated and ventilated seats, although dual-zone climate control was limited to higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft 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, while the 1.3-liter engine offered both FWD and AWD options. 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 vehicle's ride quality was generally good, though some rough shifts were noted with the automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike competitors' automatic systems.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered a hands-free start feature and one-pedal driving, with drive modes including Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The single-motor FWD variant produced 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD version featured a dual-motor powertrain with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV's range was impressive, with the FWD model achieving 319 miles and the AWD model 285 miles. The vehicle supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining about 77 miles of range in 10 minutes. The Equinox EV's ride was comfortable and stable, with a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though one of the smallest SUVs available, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Trailblazer's interior featured clever storage solutions, though its cargo capacity was limited compared to traditional SUVs. The vehicle's towing capacity was rated at 1,000 pounds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, starting at the 2LT trim, included heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and available panoramic moonroof. The 3LT trim added front-seat ventilation and heated rear seats. The Equinox EV offered 39.15 inches of front headroom and 41.65 inches of front legroom, with a total cargo volume of 26.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 57.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. Roof rails were standard on all but the base trim, providing additional cargo options.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging were available. The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics, though it lacked a fully digital instrument cluster.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV boasted a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, providing Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, offering navigation, route planning, and battery pre-conditioning through the MyChevrolet app.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV included Chevy Safety Assist with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. Additional features like rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control were standard. Super Cruise and enhanced automatic parking assist were available on higher trims.