Toyota RAV4 vs Chevrolet Trailblazer

When the Chevrolet Trailblazer made its return in 2021, it marked a significant shift from its predecessor. A full 18 inches shorter from nose-to-tail compared to the Chevy Traverse, it now carried aggressive styling and sharp body creases reminiscent of the sporty Camaro. For 2024, the Trailblazer enhanced its sporty theme with a minor styling refresh. The top accent lights were thinner, creating a more focused look, while a reshaped grille suggested a need for improved intake. The lower headlights were smaller and set deeper within faceted cutouts, imparting a more athletic and serious appearance.

Inside, the Trailblazer’s dashboard received a makeover, seamlessly blending a new digital instrument panel with an impactful 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. However, the digital panel didn’t occupy the full trapezoidal enclosure, creating an oddly downmarket look. Despite this, the materials used on doors and the dashboard seemed convincing, albeit made from harder plastic. The armrest touchpoints were adequately padded, and fabric inserts in the door panels added a more inviting feel compared to the typical drab black plastic.

The interior bore similarities to the Volkswagen Taos, with a similarly angled touchscreen and conventional climate controls. While the Hyundai Kona's cockpit appeared more modern, it lacked the cohesive design seen in the Trailblazer. The Mazda CX-30 aimed for a more luxurious feel with its minimalistic design and upmarket materials.

Toyota aimed to give the 2024 RAV4 a tough look, with an angry demeanor and aggressive angularity in its lower gray body cladding. Dual exhaust outlets and fake front and rear skid plates hinted at off-road capability, especially on the TRD Off-Road model we tested. Although our Army Green test vehicle wasn’t particularly appealing, it featured practical elements such as a digital rearview mirror and Advanced Technology and Weather options, bringing the price to $41,925 with destination charges.

The RAV4 offered practicality and utility inside, with rubber-lined storage areas and control knobs designed for an active lifestyle. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with optional heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The RAV4’s cabin wasn't luxurious, but it offered practicality without unnecessary frills, ready for various terrains and conditions.

The 2024 Trailblazer came with two powertrain options. The base model housed a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup resulted in slow responses and an uninspiring engine drone during acceleration.

Our test vehicle featured the more powerful turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This engine was coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, providing slightly better performance. However, accelerating to highway speeds and passing slower traffic required planning and flooring the pedal due to slow transmission responses. The Trailblazer's zero to 60 mph time exceeded nine seconds, making it one of the slower SUVs in its class.

The Trailblazer's braking and handling were average, with competent cornering but not enough to excite spirited drivers. The ride quality was comfortable, smoothing over most road imperfections, while road and wind noises were muted at highway speeds.

The RAV4 came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain required high revs to access maximum power. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the TRD Off-Road version featured AW and off-road-specific tuning, including an underbody skid plate and all-terrain tires on 18-inch TRD alloy wheels.

The Multi-Terrain Select system offered various driving modes—Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt—but maintained the same ground clearance and approach angles as other RAV4 models. On our test, the TRD Off-Road proved slightly more capable off-road but still not as proficient as a 4Runner.

The off-road suspension benefitted daily commutes by absorbing bumps and imperfections. The RAV4 handled reasonably well on roads despite some noisiness at freeway speeds. The engine could chirp the front tires and cause mild torque steer, but the reliable eight-speed automatic transmission and engine dependability were reassuring.

Fuel economy for the TRD Off-Road was rated at 28 mpg combined by the EPA, and during our evaluation, it averaged 26.6 mpg. The better-performing RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, rated at 37 mpg, could be a more economical choice.

The Trailblazer provided ample front space and good outward visibility, with a largely unobstructed view for better situational awareness. It featured a wireless charging pad, medium-sized cupholders, and a deep bin under the armrest, ensuring adequate storage options. The front seats were firmly padded but comfortable for long drives. Heated seats were standard on all but the base trim, and a heated steering wheel was available on higher trims.

The rear seats offered abundant legroom and adequate headroom for passengers shorter than six feet. It could accommodate rear-facing infant seats without needing to adjust the front seats. With 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the Trailblazer neared the Hyundai Kona's 25.5 cubic feet and surpassed the Volkswagen Taos and Mazda CX-30. The available hands-free power liftgate added to the convenience.

The RAV4's interior prioritized practicality. It included useful features such as full-width dashboard storage, rubberized control knobs, and easy-to-clean surfaces. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with additional options for heated and ventilated front seats.

The driver’s seat was comfortable and the steering wheel pleasant to grip, with excellent outward visibility. The rear seats comfortably accommodated four adults, with good legroom and footroom. However, the rear seats were slightly low, lacking leg support. The power liftgate revealed a spacious 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet when the seats were folded, offering significantly more room than the Trailblazer.

The 2024 Trailblazer’s 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard across all trims, was a significant upgrade from the previous model. While the display was well-placed, the system's response to inputs was slightly delayed. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired seamlessly with the optional wireless charging pad, while the standard satellite radio required a subscription. The digital instrument panel delivered clear graphics, though a native navigation system was absent, relying instead on smartphone connectivity for navigation.

The base audio system performed well, with an optional Bose premium upgrade available. Though the Trailblazer's technology was adequate, it didn't impress but offered simplicity and ease of use.

The RAV4 featured Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch standard and 10.5-inch optional touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected service plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for a decade, providing automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Remote Connect offered remote access to vehicle features, while Drive Connect added cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant.

Despite some usability issues—such as no multi-panel Home screen and occasionally hard-to-read fonts—the system was generally sophisticated. The RAV4 also had an optional JBL premium audio system and a digital rear-view mirror, enhancing functionality.

The Trailblazer earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" score from the IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning. Additional options, like a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, were available and functioned without issue. Although the Trailblazer lacked some standard safety features compared to rivals, its overall safety package was effective.

Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), the RAV4 offered comprehensive ADAS features but lacked standard blind-spot monitoring on the base trim. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were functional, they performed best on straight highways. Despite some minor issues, TSS 2.5 was generally effective in everyday use.

However, the 2024 RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick award, with a "Marginal" rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test and an "Acceptable" rating in the side-impact test, indicating the need for an update.