2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer marked a significant departure from its predecessors, embracing a more compact and sporty design. Its aggressive styling and sharp body creases gave it a distinct presence among subcompact SUVs, reminiscent of the sporty Camaro. The 2024 model year saw a minor styling refresh that further accentuated its sporty theme, with thinner accent lights and a reshaped grille for a more athletic appearance. Inside, the Trailblazer featured a modern dashboard with a new digital instrument panel and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the materials used were typical for non-luxury subcompact crossovers, the available fabric inserts in the door panels added a touch of warmth to the interior.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, pursued a more conservative and familiar design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that felt like a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While the glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces were noticeable, the controls were logically laid out, and the overall material quality was decent. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had some quirks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrains, starting with a base turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered the front wheels, resulting in slow responses and a droning engine under sustained acceleration. The Activ-trim test vehicle featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. It was equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite the increased power, the Trailblazer's acceleration was not impressive, with a zero to 60 mph time exceeding nine seconds. Handling was average, but the ride quality was comfortable, smoothing over road imperfections and minimizing road noise.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time all-wheel drive. The Hybrid Max powertrain produced 362 net horsepower, providing satisfying acceleration and avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel economy, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause some vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure, but the tires scrubbed and squealed early when pushed around curves.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer provided ample space up front, with good outward visibility enhancing the sense of roominess. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and a deep bin under the armrest. The front seats were comfortably padded, and heated seats were standard on most trims. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, making it suitable for transporting adults or rear-facing infant seats. The Trailblazer offered 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, nearly matching the Hyundai Kona's capacity, and featured an available hands-free power liftgate.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding an upscale touch. The second-row captain's chairs provided flexibility, allowing easy access to the third row. While the rear doors were long and required ample space to open, the Grand Highlander's rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row measured 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen standard across all trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system's responses were slightly delayed, it was easy to use. The Trailblazer lacked a native navigation system, relying on smartphone connectivity for navigation. The base six-speaker audio system performed well, with an optional Bose premium upgrade available for enhanced sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various Toyota Connected Services. The system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality. The Platinum trim included additional features such as a color head-up display and a camera-based digital rear-view mirror.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA in overall, frontal, and side crash evaluations, and four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the highest score of "good" in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Confidence package added a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. While the Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane-keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers.