2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer exuded a sense of rugged toughness with a refined twist. This subcompact vehicle mirrored its midsize sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, effectively blending SUV durability without venturing into over-the-top territory. Distinctive intricate headlight and taillight designs and dark chrome accents enhanced the upscale aesthetics, making the Trailblazer stand out in its price range.

Specific trims like the Activ and RS offered additional flair. The Activ trim sported a rugged look, featuring a unique front fascia with a faux skid plate, increased ground clearance, standard roof rails, and chunky 17-inch Hankook Sport Terrain tires. Meanwhile, the RS trim embraced a more performance-oriented styling with blacked-out trims, a mesh grille, dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips, and an optional panoramic sunroof.

Both the RS and Activ models came with contrasting roofs in red, black, or white, enhancing the visual appeal. A standout combination was the white roof and Nitro Yellow paint on the Trailblazer Activ, offering a retro yet distinctive look, a trend increasingly popular among subcompact crossovers like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, and Nissan Kicks.

Inside the Trailblazer Activ, the cabin featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and a mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trims with gray seat inserts. These elements gave the otherwise black interior an added touch of personality, although it didn't scream "outdoor adventure." The dashboard's creased look and grab handles around the center console added a touch of distinction.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe broke away from traditional design cues, embracing a boxier, more practical aesthetic. This approach, while different, wasn't a step back. Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee stated that making a box both elegant and premium was a deliberate effort to maximize storage capacity while maintaining an upscale look.

The new Santa Fe, with its aerodynamic efficiency, captured attention wherever it went. Sophisticated exterior colors, including matte options, and the anodized-finish badging introduced on the Ioniq 6, added an element of elegance. The XRT trim level elevated this further with dark chrome and black cladding and trim. Wheel sizes ranged from 18-inch alloys on most trims to 20-inch on Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy versions and even 21-inch on the gas-only Calligraphy.

Inside, the Santa Fe showcased premium styling across trims. The XRT and loaded Calligraphy models, which were part of our test, boasted little to fault. Even the hard materials on out-of-the-way surfaces, like the Calligraphy’s door panels, were cleverly integrated among ample soft-padded surfaces. The luxurious headliner fabric added a sense of decadence, reminiscent of a cozy winter scarf and hat.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, also part of the General Motors family. It came with two engine choices: a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque or an optional 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder pushing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque.

The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), whereas the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). Interestingly, the transmission varied with drivetrain choice. FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models were equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our Trailblazer Activ test vehicle, equipped with AWD, the nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-liter engine, provided an engaging drive. Unlike the Buick Encore GX, the Trailblazer's throttle response was more satisfactory, delivering a decent push and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic did exhibit some rough shifts, revealing a lack of refinement.

Activ models boasted dampers tuned for better gravel road performance but performed fairly well on pavements too. While the SUV's high ride height and dampers contributed to noticeable body roll, the vehicle remained composed and nimble. Ride quality was generally good, albeit with occasional bouncing over certain road imperfections, likely due to the Activ-specific damper tuning.

The Trailblazer required manual switching between FWD and AWD via a button, unlike most competitor systems that transitioned automatically. This could be a drawback if one forgot to engage AWD when needed. The SUV also featured Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes. While we couldn't test Snow mode, Sport mode reportedly adjusted steering effort and shifting, though the difference was negligible. The Activ’s off-road styling and tires were better suited for dirt roads than rough terrains.

For the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the base powertrain was a robust 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering a potent 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Standard across the lineup was FWD, with AWD optional on most trims except for the XRT trim, which featured standard AWD.

Drivers could choose from Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and steering for a more spirited drive. The XRT trim added off-road modes and settings, and later in the model year, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine was offered, producing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Santa Fe’s base FWD models had an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. AWD dropped these ratings slightly to 20/28/23, while the XRT trim registered at 19/26/22 due to its increased ground clearance and 30-inch all-terrain tires. The hybrid variant boasted 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined in its FWD configuration, while AWD models achieved 35/34/34.

The XRT’s design enhancements, such as nearly 1.5 inches of additional ground clearance and robust all-terrain tires, contributed to its ability to handle off-road conditions admirably. With extra cooling features like a bigger fan and additional air inlets, the XRT trim also gained an increased towing capacity of 4,500 pounds compared to the standard 3,500 pounds in other Santa Fe models.

While driving, the Santa Fe Calligraphy delivered classic Hyundai driving dynamics with stable and smooth performance. Exceptional throttle response, acceleration, and shifting were complemented by some body roll through turns, a minor downside for passengers. Off-road tests in the Santa Fe XRT showcased a capability akin to competitors such as the Kia Telluride X-Pro and Subaru Forester Wilderness, proving its suitability for trips to remote campsites with ease.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer was one of the smallest SUVs on the market, yet it offered considerable practicality. Compared to the 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer four-door, the Trailblazer was 3.4 inches wider and an inch taller, though about 10 inches shorter in length. The modern Trailblazer benefited from packaging efficiencies, evident in its longer wheelbase.

In terms of utility, the Trailblazer boasted considerable front and rear headroom, comparable to the Kia Seltos, and mid-pack legroom, surpassing the Hyundai Kona. When compared to its platform sibling, the Buick Encore GX, the Trailblazer offered slightly more rear legroom and headroom in both rows. While the rear seats were comfortable for everyday use, their flat cushions might not be ideal for long road trips.

The Trailblazer featured 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats upright, expanding to 54.4 cubic feet with the 60/40-split folding second row down. While this was respectable for the segment, it trailed behind the Kia Seltos. Despite being convenient for weekend trips, the cargo capacity might be limiting for those used to traditional SUVs. The Trailblazer was also rated to tow 1,000 pounds.

In the front, designers used space creatively with a covered storage bin, a deep tray, and the expected cupholders and phone storage tray. An additional small carve-out above the dashboard was present, though its function was unclear, as any items placed there would likely fly off during sudden braking.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe embraced its boxy design, which resulted in a spacious and functional interior. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a longer wheelbase and a body that was both longer and taller by about two inches. Most of the additional space was allocated to the cargo area, inspired by the 'chabak' concept, combining car and stay for car camping and tailgating. The cargo space featured an extra-wide tailgate, inviting floor, and ample storage.

Despite the emphasis on cargo, the Santa Fe did not compromise on passenger comfort. The first and second rows were spacious and welcoming, with the option of a bench or fully reclining captain's chairs in the second row, depending on the trim. Stain-resistant cloth upholstery was standard on the base SE trim, while higher trims like the Limited and Calligraphy featured upscale leather and quilted Nappa leather, respectively. Heated front seats were standard on all but the SE, with the Limited and Calligraphy adding ventilated seats.

Cargo volume in the Santa Fe was 14.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the third and second rows folded, respectively. The optional roof rails could support 220 pounds, and a new grab handle design enhanced ease of use when loading cargo. Higher trims also introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, originally conceived during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing for sanitization of small items in about 10 minutes.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered sufficient but not cutting-edge technology. The standard model included a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades 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.

While equipped with these options, the Trailblazer still lagged behind in satisfying the tech-savvy crowd. The optional touchscreen, though adequate, was smaller by modern standards, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available. However, for most buyers, the infotainment system's usability was sufficient, with intuitive menus and large, easy-to-read graphics.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe stood out with its tech-forward approach. The highlight was the curved panoramic display in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, integrating behind the steering wheel and over the center console, providing a luxurious feel. Hyundai claimed this was a first in the segment, balancing digital sophistication without overwhelming the user.

The touchscreen display was user-friendly, offering quick access to controls, intuitive menus, and high-definition graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, accompanied by a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, still rich in features, including four USB ports. Wireless charging, more USB ports, and a pair of wireless chargers were available in higher trims.

Additional features included Hyundai's BlueLink system, enabling vehicle access and information via mobile devices, working in lieu of a traditional key fob. The redesigned Santa Fe also introduced Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner, enhancing safety and ease of use.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer excelled in safety, coming standard with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system for parental control. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

The Trailblazer earned recognition as a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with top scores in all crash tests and commendable front-crash prevention tech. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2023 Trailblazer a five-star overall safety rating.

On the other hand, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet undergone IIHS or NHTSA crash tests, but Hyundai’s vehicles generally performed well. The standard safety suite in the base SE trim included a reversing camera, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, intersection assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention monitoring with hands-off alert, and rear-occupant reminder.

Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, sanitizing compartment in the glovebox, remote automatic parking, and Hyundai's highway limited hands-free driving system. Two standout attributes were Hyundai Pay, enhancing payment security, and a biometric fingerprint scanner for added convenience and security.