2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, framed the updated headlights, giving the SUV a stronger and more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were complemented by LED taillights on SEL trims and above. The Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, a unique grille, and a wider rear spoiler, while the XRT trim featured a dark grille and black 20-inch wheels. The Palisade's interior was equally impressive, with premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The seating configurations allowed for either seven or eight passengers, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a mini version of the Chevrolet Blazer, offering a blend of SUV toughness and upscale appearance. The intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, added to its appeal. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS offering a sportier appearance. The Trailblazer's interior, while not as adventurous as some SUVs, had distinctive design touches like grab handles and a creased dashboard. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and leatherette upholstery in the Activ model added a touch of luxury, although the mix of colors and textures was somewhat unconventional.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth power delivery to the front wheels, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Palisade's towing capacity was impressive, able to haul up to 5,000 pounds, and it offered a comfortable ride with competitive fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform with the Buick Encore GX and offered two engine options: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter turbo-three with 155 horsepower. The 1.2-liter engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission for front-wheel-drive models, while the 1.3-liter engine could be equipped with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the latter featuring a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's ride quality was generally good, with dampers tuned for gravel roads, although some body roll was noticeable. The selectable all-wheel-drive system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample interior space, comfortably seating seven or eight passengers. It provided 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third row, with a total passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The interior was designed with convenience in mind, featuring HVAC vents in all three rows, a hands-free smart liftgate, and a well-organized center console.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, while one of the smallest SUVs available, offered decent utility for its size. It matched the Kia Seltos in headroom and provided more rear legroom than the Hyundai Kona. The Trailblazer's cargo space was respectable, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, it fell short of the Kia Seltos in this regard. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a covered storage bin and a deep tray, although the rear seats' flat cushions made long trips less comfortable.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings, including a standard 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A premium Harman Kardon sound system was available, and the Palisade featured a WiFi hotspot as standard. The Bluelink connected vehicle system allowed remote access and management, while the Digital Key 2 Touch enabled keyless entry and start using compatible devices. The Palisade also offered a head-up display and an in-car intercom system for easier communication with rear passengers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system were optional, but the Trailblazer lacked a fully digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and easy-to-read graphics. The combination of analog gauges and a smaller instrument cluster screen provided clear information, aided by smart design touches.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was expected to maintain its high safety standards, with the 2022 model earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The Palisade came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. Highway Driving Assist was standard on most trims, with an upgraded version available on higher trims. The Palisade also featured a full-display digital rearview mirror and a rear seat occupant alert system.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer was recognized for its safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control enhanced safety further. The Trailblazer's LED headlights received high marks, although the standard halogen headlights were rated lower.