Compare the2024 Honda HR-VVS 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Chevrolet Trailblazer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The HR-V EX-L has a standard Low Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The HR-V EX-L has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The HR-V’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the HR-V and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Trailblazer has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The HR-V’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trailblazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the HR-V for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Trailblazer.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the HR-V’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Trailblazer’s camshafts. If the Trailblazer’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the HR-V’s reliability 35 points higher than the Trailblazer.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 15 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (158 vs. 137) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (158 vs. 155) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

The HR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Trailblazer:

The HR-V stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-V has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The HR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The Trailblazer’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Trailblazer.

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is tighter than the Trailblazer’s:

The HR-V has 1 inch more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the HR-V easier. The HR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Trailblazer’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The HR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Trailblazer’s in almost every dimension:

The HR-V Sport/EX-L’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Trailblazer’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Trailblazer can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The HR-V has standard Push Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers Keyless Access.

The HR-V EX-L’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Trailblazer isn't recommended.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Chevrolet Trailblazer by 10% during 2023.