Volkswagen ID.4 vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer marked a significant departure from its early 2000s predecessor, which resembled more of a truck conversion. When the Trailblazer returned in 2021 after a 12-year pause, it presented a fresh, aggressive styling that truly distinguished it from other subcompact SUVs. The 2024 model further enhanced this sporty theme with a minor styling refresh. The accent lights on top were thinned out to provide a more purposeful and focused appearance. The redesigned grille suggested a need for more airflow, while smaller, lower headlights set in faceted cutouts created an athletic and serious demeanor.

Inside, the Trailblazer boasted a refreshed dashboard where a modernized digital instrument panel blended seamlessly with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. Despite the impressive appearance, there was a noticeable gap around the digital instrument panel that seemed somewhat downmarket. The materials on the doors and dash looked convincing at first, but a closer inspection revealed harder plastics, which was typical in this class. However, padded armrests and fabric inserts in the door panels helped elevate the interior's inviting ambiance.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 adhered to VW's tradition of a conservative yet timeless look that aged gracefully. The AWD versions came standard with 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim sported a 21-inch design. The ID.4 and ID.4 Pro models were equipped with either a 62-kWh or an 82-kWh battery, respectively, with optional AWD for the Pro models. Prices ranged from $39,735 to $57,055, and the ID.4 qualified for a full $7,500 federal tax credit with batteries from SK On. Additionally, all models provided 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations, plus a three-year EA Pass+ membership.

Inside the ID.4, Volkswagen moved the transmission selector to a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel, complemented by revised steering wheel controls and an improved 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The new layout of the system included more accessible climate controls and illuminated touch-sliders for volume and temperature adjustments. Options like ventilated front seats and a Harman Kardon premium sound system enhanced comfort and entertainment.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrain choices. The base model had a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and powering the front wheels. Unfortunately, this setup was sluggish, with slow responses and engine droning during acceleration. The Activ-trim test vehicle featured a more powerful 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, generating 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. This version came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While it was an improvement, it still required planning for highway acceleration and passing due to slow transmission responses, taking over nine seconds to hit 60 mph. However, the Trailblazer’s braking was straightforward, and it provided a comfortable, noise-insulated ride over most road imperfections.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 provided a significantly improved driving experience, especially with the new rear electric motor in the single-motor Pro models, delivering 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. This allowed for a quick 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.9 seconds. The 62-kWh models retained a 201 horsepower motor. AWD Pro models added a front electric motor, bringing the combined output to 335 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a brisk 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph. The ID.4 Pro models enjoyed an EPA-rated range of 291 miles (RWD) and 263 miles (AWD). Charging was efficient, with full recharge capabilities at home and DC fast-charging stations, allowing 10% to 80% battery refills in about 30 minutes. The ID.4 handled well, with firm yet comfortable city rides, natural-feeling brake pedals, and effortless acceleration on freeways and mountain roads.

When it came to interior space, the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered an expansive front cabin with good outward visibility, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. It featured practical storage solutions, including a large wireless charging pad, medium-sized cupholders, a deep bin under the armrest, and ample door pockets. The front seats were firm yet comfortable, with heated options on most trims. The rear seats accommodated adults comfortably, with adequate legroom and headroom for passengers under six feet. Cargo capacity was impressive, offering 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, comparable to the Hyundai Kona (25.5 cu ft) and better than the Volkswagen Taos (24.9 cu ft) and Mazda CX-30 (20.2 cu ft). An available hands-free power liftgate further enhanced the practicality.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 also made strides in improving its interior usability and comfort. The transmission selector and wiper controls were repositioned for better ergonomics, and touch-sensing controls were adjusted. The Pro models included a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, improving climate control accessibility with illuminated touch-sliders. Ventilated front seats were available in the higher trims, enhancing comfort in hot climates. The ID.4's front seats provided excellent views and comfort, with multiple heated features adding to the overall convenience. Rear passengers had sufficient legroom and footroom, complemented by air conditioning vents, USB-C ports, and a center armrest. The split-folding rear seats and pass-through allowed versatile cargo configurations. The ID.4 boasted 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, although it lacked a front trunk.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer came equipped with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across all trims, replacing the previous 7- or 8-inch versions. This display was intuitive and positioned to minimize driver distraction, though it had slight response delays. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. However, a built-in navigation system was absent, with users relying on smartphone connectivity. Voice controls were more effective through smartphones than Chevrolet's system. While the base six-speaker audio system sufficed, the optional Bose upgrade provided better sound quality.

Volkswagen made significant technological advancements in the 2024 ID.4, introducing a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard in Pro models. This system improved usability with a streamlined layout, illuminated controls, and a preconditioning feature for battery optimization during long trips. A Harman Kardon premium sound system was available in higher trims. Pairing smartphones for wireless Apple CarPlay was straightforward, and the infotainment system allowed customization for better user experience. The ID.4 also came with Plus Nav and Plus Speech subscriptions, offering traffic, fuel prices, parking data, and a digital assistant named Ida for conversational voice commands. Though Ida had mixed success with specific queries, features like remote access, SOS emergency assistance, and a Wi-Fi hotspot enhanced connectivity and convenience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer earned high safety ratings from both NHTSA (five stars overall, frontal, and side crash; four stars rollover) and IIHS (good in all crashworthiness tests). Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist with lane departure warning. The Driver Confidence package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking proximity sensors. Adaptive cruise control was an option. These systems performed reliably without false alarms, though more standard safety features were available from some rivals. A notable absence was the head-up display, replaced by red warning lights activated by collision sensors.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 also emphasized safety, featuring a post-collision braking system to prevent secondary collisions. VW's IQ.Drive suite, standard on all models, included advanced systems like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist effectively managed adaptive cruise distance and lane-centering on freeways, while Emergency Assist could recognize unresponsive drivers and safely stop the vehicle. Semi-autonomous parking with Memory Parking added convenience. NHTSA awarded favorable ratings, and IIHS preliminary assessments were positive.