The Battle of the Blaze: Comparing 2024’s Blazer and Trailblazer

The Chevy Blazer is one of the best-known SUVs from Chevrolet, with decades behind its popularity. The Trailblazer, on the other hand, has been around for half of the time but has racked up a number of awards and a devoted fanbase. If you’re looking for a Chevrolet SUV, which should you choose—the midsize 2024 Chevy Blazer or the subcompact 2024 Chevy Trailblazer?

While there are many factors to take into consideration, here are four key areas to keep in mind. Both models are capable, stylish, and have excellent safety and technology features. The question is, which are the features that work best for you? 

Performance: Power or Fuel Economy?

The Blazer comes with two engine options depending on the trim you choose. The 228-hp, 2.0L Turbo engine churns out 258 lb-ft of torque and comes standard on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims. It gets an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. A 3.6L V6 comes standard on the RS trim, unleashing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine is an available option on the 3LT and Premier trims. The EPA estimates that the 3.6L V6 gets 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. 

There are two engine options for the Trailblazer, too. The 1.2L EcoTec Turbo produces 137 hp with 162 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard in the LS and LT trims. Standard in the ACTIV and RS trims, the 1.3L EcoTec Turbo generates 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The LS and LT can opt for the 1.3L Turbo instead if desired. The 1.2L engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, while the 1.3L engine will get an estimated 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. 

The nine-speed automatic transmission supports five driving modes that help the Blazer navigate different terrains. The sport and tour modes come standard, while additional modes—snow/ice, tow/haul, and off-road—are available. The Trailblazer has three driving modes available when equipped with the 1.3L Turbo engine: normal, sport, and AWD. The Trailblazer equips a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in the 1.2L Turbo and the 1.3L Turbo in FWD, whereas the 1.3L in AWD uses a nine-speed automatic transmission. 

Design: Colorful Options Abound

The Chevy Blazer was first launched in 1969 with a long, boxy body and two-tone cap. Since then, it has gone through many style changes. The 2024 Blazer has a sleek body that compliments the sporty style that’s remained a constant for the last five decades. The straight, minimal LED headlamps help balance a robust grille and front fascia. It comes in eight colors that include the brand-new Riptide Blue Metallic, which is a bright splash of pleasing oceanic blue. Five of these colors can have a black roof added for a pop of brilliant contrast. A final color option, Nitro Yellow Metallic, is only available on the RS trim with a black roof. 

There are four trim options to choose from in 2024. The 2LT trim has the option of a power-programmable liftgate to make opening and closing the back hatch as easy as pushing a button on your key fob. The 3LT trim adds some capability functions like a 120-volt power outlet and six-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat. The RS trim adds sporty black exterior accents, including black Chevy bowties and grille and lush, perforated leather seating. Finally, the Premier trim adds chrome trim and accents, plus features like a dual-outlet exhaust that has its bright tips integrated into the fascia. 

There are two style packages available that add some fun visual twists to the Blazer. The Redline Edition has 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels with red accents, and all of the Blazer badges are outlined in red and have additional Redline decals. The grille, header bar, mirror caps, door handles, and Chevy bowties are done in black for a stark visual contrast when paired with Summit White, one of the two colors available. If you’re more for a monochromatic look, the other color option is black, which blends nicely with the Jet Black interior. The Midnight/Sport Edition embraces the monochromatic aesthetic, with everything done in black, from bumpers to bowties to the 18-inch high glass aluminum wheels. Both of these packages are only available in the 2LT and 3LT trims.

Starting in 1999 as a high-end trim of the Blazer, the Trailblazer went on to forge a new trail as its own model in 2002. While it hasn’t gone through as many style changes as its progenitor, the Trailblazer has slowly evolved into a diminutive but sporty subcompact SUV. The Trailblazer has an elongated roof that offsets the stockiness of its body and draws the eye to the rounded back end. The 2024 model also has a restyled front end, grille, headlamps, and taillamps, and there are nine exterior color choices, including two new ones for 2024: the soft sage Cacti Green and the warm and spicy Copper Harbor Metallic. In addition, the ACTIV trim offers a contrasting roof in either Summit White or Iridescent Pearl Tricoat. In the RS trim, the roof options are Black Metallic or Crimson Metallic. 

The Chevy Trailblazer comes in four trim packages. The LS has a bright chrome bar grille bar and makes a good starter SUV with features like a keyless start and an 11.0-inch infotainment screen. Taking a step up with silver-painted roof rails, deep-tinted rear windows, and heated body-color outside rearview mirrors, the LT offers the same capability with a more stylish twist. The RS trim has EvoTex seating surfaces, red interior accents, and creature comforts such as heated front seats and steering wheel. The ACTIV trim aims at a bit more rugged lifestyle with a functional skid plate and a suspension tuned for off-roading.

Technology: Trailblazer Edges Blazer 

The Blazer and Trailblazer share much of the same tech for 2024. Both models have compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to let you enjoy your favorite audio media on commutes and car trips. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity pairs nicely with the Chevy Infotainment 3 system that will allow you to make phone calls, control audio settings, and access apps on your phone while keeping your hands firmly on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.

Not many people will say no to having a Wi-Fi hotspot in their vehicle, and both the Blazer and the Trailblazer are happy to provide this capability to their drivers. One difference between the models is the touchscreen at the center of the infotainment system: the Blazer offers a 10.2-inch touchscreen, while the Trailblazer has an 11.0-inch touchscreen. 

Safety: Chevrolet Is the Real Winner

Both models come standard with Chevy Safety Assist, a set of six features to help with safe driving. They include Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, which alerts you when you’re about to drift from your lane and will gently guide your vehicle back into place. If the SUV detects an oncoming collision from the front, a Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking will alert you and engage the brakes if you do not have time to react. 

Front Pedestrian Braking can detect when a person walks in front of your car and will apply the brakes to avoid a collision. With Adaptive Cruise Control, you can relax on the highway knowing that your vehicle will keep you from following the car in front of you too closely and help you stay at the proper speed limit. Following Distance Indicator will also keep an eye on the vehicle ahead of you and alert you if the distance between drops. The IntelliBeam High Beam Assist will activate based on light conditions, the number of cars on the road, and the speed at which you’re traveling.

Finally, the safety features aimed at teenage drivers help make sure the newest driver of your family is learning safe habits behind the wheel. It includes warnings and limiters to make sure the driver knows they are exceeding the speed limit and are unable to go more than 85 mph. The car will not start without the seatbelt being buckled via the Buckle-to-Drive feature. Along the same vein, the audio system will be set to mute unless the driver is buckled up. 

Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents for young drivers. Audio Limit lets you set how high the volume on the sound system can go to cut down on distractions. Furthermore, the Vehicle Report Card will let you know how your teen driver is doing on the road after every drive.

The Blazer vs Trailblazer: Who Wins?

This is one of those comparisons where both contenders are of exceptional quality. On the one hand, that means we’ve had a chance to discuss two excellent SUVs, but on the other, we have to declare a winner—whichever one rises to the occasion the best.

While the Trailblazer is a capable subcompact SUV for daily life and weekends spent out and about, the Blazer truly shines in the performance category with more available horsepower and torque. If off-roading or hauling is a big part of your work or hobbies, then the Blazer is the clear winner. In addition, while the Trailblazer gets better fuel efficiency, the Blazer’s 3.6L V6 engine offers a comparable amount of miles per gallon. 

The technology and safety offerings are nearly identical. While the Trailblazer has a larger touchscreen, it’s worth noting that the difference between the two models’ screens is only a part of an inch, which isn’t a significant amount for most drivers. The differences in design and color options are too subjective to add to the equation, though it is worth noting there are plenty of options in both models to get something that is exactly your style.

When all of that is taken into consideration, the 2024 Chevy Blazer noses out the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer for its higher capability and performance. 

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