Hyundai Tucson vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

When the Chevrolet Trailblazer returned in 2021 after a 12-year hiatus, it was significantly different from its predecessor. First, it was 18 inches shorter, making it more streamlined and compact. The 2024 model emphasized a sporty theme with accent lights that were thinner, redesigned grilles, and smaller, more recessed headlights. This gave the Trailblazer a focused, athletic look.

Inside, the Trailblazer featured a thoroughly reworked dashboard with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, larger than the previous year's models. While the digital instrument panel had a modern appearance, its trapezoidal enclosure left too much empty space, which seemed downmarket. Despite using hard plastics, the materials on the doors and dash looked appealing with decent graining, though not overly luxurious.

The Trailblazer's interior styling was similar to the Volkswagen Taos, with an angled infotainment touchscreen and conventional climate controls. In contrast, the Hyundai Kona had a more modern and chic appearance but lacked cohesion.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, introduced in the 2022 model year, carried over its aggressive and contemporary styling. The Tucson stood out with unique design elements, like headlights that blended into the grille and contrasting angles, creating an athletic presence. Available in trims like SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited, each offered unique visual elements, such as different wheel designs and trim accents.

Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern, refined cabin with ample technology. However, some details were less user-friendly, like touch-capacitive buttons replacing the volume dial. The brilliant design and approachable layout compensated for these minor inconveniences.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer was available with two powertrains. The base model came with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination resulted in slow acceleration and lacked confidence in performance, highlighted by a droning engine sound.

The more powerful option was a 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided slightly better responses but was still underwhelming, requiring extensive pedal action for highway speeds and slow transmission responses. With a 0-60 mph time exceeding nine seconds, the Trailblazer was one of the slower SUVs in its class.

Conversely, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine developing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission routed power to either front or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Tucson's base engine was adequate for city driving but demanded near-full throttle for highway acceleration, resulting in notable engine noise.

More powerful variants included the 226-hp Tucson Hybrid and the 261-hp Tucson Plug-In Hybrid. These models featured a button-style shifter requiring adaptation but offered a seamless integration into the center console. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable ride and precise steering, noticeable when taking it through turns. Although not as athletic as the Mazda CX-5, it offered a well-rounded driving experience.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer's front seats offered ample space and outward visibility, enhancing the sense of roominess. The wireless charging pad and several storage options, including door pockets and cupholders, provided practical storage. The seats were firmly padded, suitable for long drives, and the rear seats accommodated adult passengers with adequate leg and headroom.

In terms of cargo space, the Trailblazer provided 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, almost matching the Hyundai Kona's 25.5 cubic feet and beating the Volkswagen Taos' 24.9 cubic feet and Mazda CX-30's 20.2 cubic feet.

The Hyundai Tucson, on the other hand, offered impressive cargo space, providing up to 74.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded and 38.7 cubic feet with them in place. Only the Honda CR-V surpassed these figures. The Tucson's hands-free liftgate, practical for loading groceries or child seats, operated by standing near the vehicle with the key fob.

Seating up to five passengers, the Tucson's spacious interior catered to adults in both rows, emphasizing head and legroom. The front seats offered superior comfort, ideal for long trips. Ample deep cupholders and a center tray housing the wireless charging pad contributed to its functional design.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trims, which provided good placement for reduced distraction. Despite the slight input delay, it featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring a cable-free connection. Though lacking a built-in navigation system, relying on smartphone connectivity was a practical alternative. The optional Bose premium audio upgrade enhanced sound quality, though the base system performed adequately.

For the 2024 Hyundai Tucson, the standard 8-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, recognized for its intuitive use. Home buttons facilitated easy access to functions. Premium trims introduced a 10.25-inch touchscreen, but the loss of wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an annoying volume toggle could deter some users. However, the touchscreen and haptic buttons operated well with gloves, adding to their function in colder climates.

Hyundai’s Tucson also featured an evolved remote start system. Once remotely started, it automatically detected the key upon entry, allowing the driver to place it in Drive and go.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer excelled in crash tests, earning five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in overall, frontal, and side crash evaluations, and four stars for rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "Good" in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson boasted a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-departure assist, and more. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, Smart Park remote-parking, and a helpful blind-spot camera system. IIHS rated the Tucson "Good" in most crash tests, with the crash-prevention technology earning a "Superior" rating. Though not fully evaluated by NHTSA, it had a good record from previous years.