2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer presented itself as a compact version of the Chevrolet Blazer, exuding a balanced mix of SUV ruggedness and upscale aesthetics. Its intricate headlight and taillight designs, along with dark chrome trim, contributed to a more premium appearance than typically expected in its price range. The Activ and RS models offered unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring a rugged front fascia and roof rails, while the RS model boasted a sportier look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The contrasting roof options added a distinctive touch, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal.

Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin was characterized by a mix of leatherette upholstery and copper-toned accents, providing a unique blend of colors and textures. Although the interior didn't scream "outdoor adventure," design elements like grab handles and a creased dashboard added a distinctive flair. The Activ model's interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and power-adjustable driver's seat, though the lack of a power front passenger seat was noted. Overall, the Trailblazer's interior offered a touch of personality, albeit with some unconventional design choices.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and among its competitors with its sleek design and standout details. It retained signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large grille, while offering a sleeker profile than its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's design struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car style, avoiding the excessive quirkiness of smaller models like the GV60. Notable features included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive wheel designs.

Inside, the GV70's interior was a standout feature, offering a blend of traditional luxury touches and unique design elements. Quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof were available, but it was the details that set the GV70 apart. The climate controls and infotainment system were housed in an elliptical pod, and the rotary controller for the infotainment system had a futuristic design. The dashboard's rounded cross-section added a touch of elegance, making the GV70's interior one of the most distinctive in its class.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a choice between a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 1.3-liter turbo-three with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. 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). FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer Activ test car, equipped with AWD and the 1.3-liter engine, delivered a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic transmission exhibited some rough shifts. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, provided a comfortable ride on pavement, though some bouncing was noted over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike most competitors' automatic systems. Drive modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, though Sport mode's impact on steering and shifting was minimal.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both gasoline engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts.

While the GV70 offered impressive straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70 felt larger and heavier through corners, and its suspension tended to crash over bumps rather than glide over them. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics to the gasoline model, despite its additional weight. The electric model featured steering-wheel paddles for adjusting regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving. With an EPA-rated 236-mile range, the Electrified GV70 offered a viable alternative to the gasoline version.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs on the market, offered a substantial presence. It was wider and taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase that improved passenger space. The Trailblazer provided decent utility compared to its rivals, matching the Kia Seltos in headroom and offering more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX. However, its flat rear seat cushions made long road trips less appealing.

Cargo space in the Trailblazer was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it fell short of the Kia Seltos in cargo capacity, it outperformed the Honda HR-V in some aspects. The Trailblazer's towing capacity was limited to 1,000 pounds, and its interior storage solutions included a covered storage bin, deep tray, and cupholders. However, a small dashboard carve-out lacked a clear purpose.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It provided a bit more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes, and slightly more second-row legroom than the X3. The GV70's cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Mercedes but falling short of the Audi.

The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the expense of small-item storage, though a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls were included. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

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. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, the optional touchscreen was relatively small by modern standards, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available.

The Trailblazer's 8-inch touchscreen was well-suited to its dashboard, providing clear graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information, with smart design touches like a person-shaped icon for pedestrian detection and an engine start/stop indicator.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were also available. The touchscreen's intuitive layout and large tiles made it easy to use, and the rotary controller on the center console provided a high-quality feel.

Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key function, allowing a phone to replace the key fob. These features enhanced convenience and personalization, making the GV70's tech offerings user-friendly and sophisticated.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features such as 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 earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks for crash prevention and crash-test performance.

The 2024 Genesis GV70, both gasoline and Electrified versions, received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award. While complete NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were unavailable, the gasoline GV70 received four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings, and the 2023 model had a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering for highway driving.

The GV70 also offered Highway Driving Assist 2, adding automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis included high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system, enhancing safety for occupants and pets.