Subaru Crosstrek vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek closely resembled its 2023 predecessor in terms of aesthetic appeal but featured new sheet metal, a revamped chassis, and several fresh color options, including Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. A standout addition was the exclusive Geyser Blue paint, available only for the new Wilderness trim.

Dimensionally, the Crosstrek's wheelbase and overall length remained nearly identical to the previous year. This new model boasted a steeper departure angle and a minimal reduction in cargo space. For those who were familiar with the second-generation Crosstrek, the differences were almost unnoticeable during a test drive of the 2024 model.

In its base trim, the 2024 Crosstrek came with 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires. It had an impressive ground clearance of 8.7 inches, making off-road driving on dirt roads or snowy driveways considerably safer. While roof rails were standard on the Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, they were optional on the Base trim. Unlike the Subaru Outback, these roof rails did not double as crossbars and required separate purchase.

The 2024 Crosstrek's headlights appeared to merge with a new wing bar that split the frameless grille, giving the front fascia a unique, smiling appearance. The black plastic cladding on the wheel arches came as no surprise, but the built-in air inlets and outlets were a notable addition. This aerodynamic design improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise.

The split taillight design from the second-generation Crosstrek was carried over to the third generation with minor tweaks, allowing for wider trunk access. This change was in line with Subaru’s “Kaizen” philosophy of continuous improvement.

For the Wilderness trim, unique interior and exterior elements were added. The exterior features included a hexagonal front grille, larger cladding pieces, new bumpers, and hexagonal LED fog lights with copper accents. Ground clearance was increased to 9.3 inches, and a ladder-style roof rack capable of holding 176 pounds of dynamic load and 700 pounds of static load was introduced. The interior of the Wilderness trim featured StarTex synthetic leather that was both easy to clean and waterproof, additional copper accents for visual appeal, all-weather floor mats, and an LED light on the inside of the rear tailgate for better visibility in the cargo area at night.

The interior dimensions of the 2024 Crosstrek were largely unchanged from the previous model. Cargo space saw a slight reduction, but the difference was almost negligible. The liftgate grip height was shortened, and a helper strap option was made available, particularly beneficial for shorter drivers. A new 11.6-inch touchscreen display brought a fresh, cohesive design that aligned with pricier models like the Subaru Outback.

On the flip side, the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer made a significant shift in its styling since its reintroduction in 2021. This newer version was 18 inches shorter from nose to tail compared to its predecessor. The Trailblazer's design was aggressive and sportier, drawing some inspiration from the Camaro. The 2024 model accentuated this sporty theme with a styling refresh. The top accent lights were made thinner, and the grille was reshaped to suggest greater airflow needs. The lower headlights were smaller and set deeper in faceted cutouts, contributing to a more athletic and serious appearance.

The inside of the Trailblazer saw a thorough makeover with a new digital instrument panel and an infotainment touchscreen display blending cohesively for a more modern look. The new 11-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade from last year’s options, although it left some space around the digital instrument panel, making it feel slightly downmarket at night.

The materials for the doors and dash had decent graining, but closer inspection revealed harder plastic, which was common in this vehicle class. The usual armrest touchpoints were padded adequately, and fabric inserts in the door panels made the interior more inviting.

The interior layout of the Trailblazer bore a striking resemblance to the Volkswagen Taos with similar angled interfaces and conventional controls. The Hyundai Kona offered a more modern and chic cockpit, while the Mazda CX-30 leaned towards an entry-level luxury design with more upmarket materials.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was powered by a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and this engine was now standard on the Wilderness trim. The smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available on the Premium trim produced 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, although it was slower compared to turbocharged competitors.

The absence of a manual transmission meant drivers had to rely on a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru had refined over the years. The CVT performance was smoother and more efficient, especially in the Wilderness trim due to its additional pressure sensor. Paddle shifters were available on the Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims. The Wilderness trim featured a shorter final-drive ratio, providing better uphill performance and acceleration from a stop, and increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. However, this resulted in higher road noise and decreased fuel efficiency.

Fuel economy for the Crosstrek was relatively average for its class, with the 2.0-liter engine achieving 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The 2.5-liter engine offered 26 city mpg and 33 highway mpg. The Crosstrek Wilderness, with its enhanced off-road capabilities, delivered 25 city mpg and 29 highway mpg, which was still respectable.

For the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, buyers could choose between two powertrains. The base powertrain was a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT powering the front wheels. This configuration offered slow response times and an overall underwhelming performance.

The Activ-trim benefitted from a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for improved response. Despite the added power, the 1.3-liter engine's performance was only adequate, with acceleration to highway speeds requiring thoughtful planning. The Trailblazer's zero to 60 mph time of over nine seconds placed it among the slower SUVs in its class.

Despite the sporty appearance, the Trailblazer offered average handling, prioritizing comfort over spirited driving. The braking was predictable, and it managed to smooth over most road imperfections with minimal noise, making it comfortable for everyday driving. In terms of power and performance, it lagged behind more capable competitors like the Mazda CX-30, which offered sharper handling and higher power output.

The Subaru Crosstrek, despite its rugged styling, was built on the Subaru Impreza’s platform, meaning it was relatively small. It delivered competitive cargo space for its class, with 19.9 cubic feet of trunk space and 54.7 cubic feet of total cargo space when the rear seats were folded down.

The Crosstrek's interior was designed with Subaru’s typical customer in mind, featuring durable and easy-to-clean materials. The Premium trim and above included a protective cargo tray, and cupholders were abundant, with the center console bin designed to accommodate two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles. The Wilderness trim added adventure-oriented features, such as Nalgene-sized cupholders in the trunk, all-weather floor mats, and an all-weather cargo tray.

The Trailblazer offered ample front space and good outward visibility, giving a sense of roominess. A wireless charging pad was available, positioned conveniently in front of the gear selector, and dual medium-sized cupholders were followed by a deep bin under the armrest. A panoramic power sunroof was an available option for most trims. The front seats were comfortably padded, and the heated seats were standard on all but the base trim. The rear seats also provided ample legroom and adequately supported adult passengers. Its cargo space of 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats was nearly on par with the Hyundai Kona and exceeded the Mazda CX-30, making it a strong contender in terms of storage.

The available hands-free power liftgate with a selectable opening height made loading and unloading particularly convenient, especially in tight parking spaces.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an impressive technology suite with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen display, standard on all but the Base trim. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an optional wireless charging pad. Physical controls for key functions like temperature, volume, and defrosters complemented the touch controls. However, the system was not without flaws, such as glare in bright sunlight and a cumbersome menu structure. Remote start features were also unavailable in states with Right to Repair laws.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trim levels, positioned conveniently in the driver’s sightline. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, facilitating easy smartphone integration. The available wireless charging pad paired well with these features. Satellite radio was also standard, though it required a subscription. However, the Trailblazer lacked a native navigation system, relying instead on smartphone connectivity for navigation tasks. The optional Bose audio system was a considerable upgrade for audiophiles, though the base audio system was adequate.

The Subaru Crosstrek had consistently received top safety ratings. While the 2024 model had not yet been rated, it was expected to perform well, continuing the tradition of high safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA. The Crosstrek’s standard EyeSight safety system included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, enhanced with a wider-angle lens and automatic emergency steering in 2024 models.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer earned excellent safety ratings, including five stars from NHTSA and "good" scores from IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control added to the vehicle’s safety.