2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer had a design that mirrored a mini 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, added a distinctive and retro flair.

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

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 showcased a dramatic redesign, moving away from the softer, rounded corners of the previous model to embrace geometric styling. The trademark “spindle” grille was less pronounced, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights. The front end stood more vertically, giving the GX a more aggressive look. The flat hood rose on the left and right sides, positioned above each front wheel to aid drivers in maintaining positional awareness off-road. The GX’s side profile appeared as if carved from a solid metal block, with minimal character lines and a low window beltline to enhance visibility.

Lexus offered the new GX in six trim levels, with the Premium+ expected to be the best-seller. The Luxury+ and Overtrail+ trims highlighted the SUV’s best features, with the Luxury models focusing on luxury and the Overtrail duo emphasizing off-roading capabilities. The GX’s interior blended luxury appointments with utilitarian materials, featuring a large 14-inch touchscreen display and plenty of physical controls for off-road-oriented functions. The third-generation GX looked and felt like a premium SUV prepared for a long life of hard use.

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 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Our 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. However, the nine-speed automatic exhibited some rough shifts. Activ models had dampers tuned for better performance on gravel roads, but they worked fairly well on pavement. The Trailblazer felt composed and nimble, with good ride quality, although some bouncing over road imperfections was noted. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike most competitors’ automatic systems. The Trailblazer also offered Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though Sport mode didn’t make a noticeable difference.

The 2024 Lexus GX transitioned from a naturally aspirated V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The impressive torque was available low in the rev range, aiding off-road performance. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX featured a stiffer chassis, enhancing stability on-road and off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated confidently, with no hunting for gears. Standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) and a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential were included, with the Overtrail trims adding a locking rear differential.

The Overtrail trims also featured Lexus’s Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), which balanced off-road and on-road stability by locking and unlocking the front and rear stabilizer bars as needed. The GX accelerated well from a stop and at highway speeds, with effective brakes. Despite its weight, the GX demonstrated controlled and relaxed behavior on-road. Off-road testing was limited due to weather conditions, but the GX’s various traction management modes and systems were promising.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though 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, with a wheelbase about three inches longer. The Trailblazer matched the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom, with mid-pack legroom. It offered more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX and slightly more headroom in both rows. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use, but flat cushions made long road trips less appealing.

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

The 2024 Lexus GX’s interior was more minimalist and sophisticated compared to the previous model. It featured fewer physical buttons, retaining important ones like rotary knobs for climate control and buttons for off-roading features. The GX offered 41.2 inches of legroom in the front seats and 36.7 inches in the second row, providing comfort for six-foot-tall adults. The third row, available in Premium and Luxury models, was tight and suitable only for children.

The GX’s cargo space was impressive, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 76.9 cubic feet in total. Overtrail models offered even more space, with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.5 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, 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, 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. The Trailblazer’s tech offerings were adequate for most buyers, though the optional touchscreen was relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster was not available.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen, USB-C ports, and an available wireless charging pad. Overtrail models had additional USB-C ports for the back seat, and all GX models included a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and an intelligent voice assistant. Drive Connect and Remote Connect services were available with initial three-year trial subscriptions, with subscription costs ranging from $15 to $25 per month afterward. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo available on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer included standard safety features like 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 Lexus GX received a significant upgrade in safety features with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and proactive driving assist. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2024 GX at the time of writing, but the new GA-F architecture and advanced safety features inspired confidence.