2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer, offering a balanced mix of SUV toughness and upscale details. Its intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim elevated its appearance beyond typical vehicles in its price range. The Activ and RS models featured unique styling, with the Activ boasting a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier aesthetic. Contrasting roofs in various colors added a distinctive touch, although this feature was common among subcompact crossovers. Inside, the Trailblazer's cabin included leatherette upholstery and a mix of textures, providing a unique personality despite its otherwise black interior.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, presented a mature and subdued appearance, especially in Ecotronic Gray. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was stylish and appealing. Inside, the Venue featured hard plastics but maintained a sense of style with striped seats and white trim. The digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display were highlights, offering quality finishes and operation. Overall, the Venue was thoughtfully designed, with a focus on style and quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, featuring a standard 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. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive, while the 1.3-liter offered both FWD and AWD options. The Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.3-liter engine, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The vehicle's dampers were tuned for gravel roads but performed well on pavement, offering good ride quality despite some body roll.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized available power, making it suitable for city and suburban driving. However, its suspension struggled on rough pavement, leading to a busy ride quality. On highways, the Venue maintained pace with traffic but sounded harsh under acceleration. Lacking AWD, the Venue relied on its 6.7 inches of ground clearance for snow navigation. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, averaging 30.3 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though small, offered substantial space. It was wider and taller than the original S-10 Blazer, with a longer wheelbase enhancing passenger space. It provided generous headroom and mid-pack legroom, surpassing the Hyundai Kona in rear legroom. Cargo space was 25.3 cubic feet with seats up and 54.4 cubic feet with seats folded, competitive but behind the Kia Seltos. The Trailblazer's interior included practical storage solutions, though its cargo capacity was limited for larger loads.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's increased ground clearance facilitated easy entry and exit. Despite its small size, it offered decent comfort, with adjustable front seats and heated cushions. The back seat was better suited for two passengers, with limited storage and no rear air vents. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet with seats up and 31.9 cubic feet with seats down, comparable to a compact car. Front storage was adequate, with a useful dashboard shelf.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades included an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose audio system. Despite its tech offerings, the Trailblazer lacked a fully digital instrument cluster. The 8-inch screen was well-sized, with intuitive menus and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue had an 8-inch touchscreen with modern graphics and simple operation. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with impressive voice recognition and music streaming capabilities.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. It earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included cyclist detection. The Venue received Good ratings in IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.