2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

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 embracing a rugged aesthetic and the RS showcasing a sportier look. Contrasting roof colors added a distinctive touch, while the interior featured a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a unique personality to the cabin.

In contrast, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid maintained a sleek and contemporary design, sharing its styling with the non-hybrid Pacifica. The plug-in hybrid model subtly distinguished itself with a charge port and specific badging. The Pacifica Hybrid was available in Select and Pinnacle trims, featuring all-LED exterior lighting and a choice of 17 or 18-inch wheels. The Pinnacle trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery, though some premium elements clashed with lower-level materials, such as grained plastic door panels.

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 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, while the 1.3-liter engine offered both FWD and AWD options. The AWD models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, while FWD models had a CVT. The Trailblazer Activ model, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-liter engine, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note, though the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. The vehicle's dampers were tuned for gravel roads but performed well on pavement, offering a composed and nimble ride.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system powered by a 16-kWh battery pack, delivering a total system output of 260 horsepower. While it lacked the 287 hp of non-hybrid models and was only available with FWD, the electric-motor torque compensated for the horsepower deficit, providing quick acceleration and a quieter ride. The Pacifica Hybrid excelled in maximizing all-electric driving mode, though the shift from electric to hybrid mode was somewhat clunky. The regenerative braking fell short of one-pedal driving, but the well-tuned chassis offered a comfortable ride, enhancing the vehicle's quietness.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, offered decent utility with generous headroom and mid-pack legroom. It provided 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked the towing capacity of traditional SUVs, it featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, though the small dashboard carve-out's function remained unclear.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, as a minivan, offered superior packaging with a low step-in height and sliding doors for easy rear-seat access. It provided ample interior space, with first and second-row dimensions comparable to other minivans. The Pacifica Hybrid featured second-row captain's chairs instead of Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery pack, but it still offered 32.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 140.5 cubic feet behind the first row. The Pinnacle trim included an Ultra Console with storage, though its accessibility was somewhat awkward.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most, the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was unavailable. However, the system's usability and smart design touches, like the pedestrian-detection icon, enhanced comprehension.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and SiriusXM with 360L. Optional features included built-in navigation and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system remained current due to its usability and updates, though the lack of a fully digital instrument cluster might disappoint tech enthusiasts. The Pacifica Hybrid offered up to 12 USB-C ports, an optional FamCam rear-facing camera, and the Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV connectivity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's safety features mirrored those of the non-hybrid Pacifica, including blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Pinnacle models added a 360-degree camera system and ParkSense park assist. The Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though complete IIHS ratings were unavailable at the time of publication.