Comparing Chevy Trailblazer VS Hyundai Kona
Comparing Chevy Trailblazer VS Hyundai Kona
Compact SUVs Built for Modern Drivers - In the world of compact SUVs, the Chevy Trailblazer and Hyundai Kona both aim to deliver style, technology, and everyday versatility—but one clearly sets itself apart with a stronger balance of power, comfort, and design. The Chevy Trailblazer continues to prove why it’s one of the most popular small SUVs on the market today. With its turbocharged performance, bold styling options, and smart interior layout, it delivers big capability in a compact footprint. The Hyundai Kona, while sleek and efficient, can’t quite match the Trailblazer’s level of refinement, interior space, or advanced driver-assist technology.
Step inside the Trailblazer, and you’ll immediately notice the difference. Its cabin feels more open, more premium, and more intuitive—perfectly blending soft-touch materials with Chevy’s latest connectivity features like wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, plus an available 11-inch infotainment screen that outclasses the Kona’s smaller setup. On the road, the Trailblazer’s available 1.3L turbo engine gives it a noticeable edge in responsiveness and efficiency, offering confident power without compromising fuel economy.
For drivers who want a compact SUV that looks sharp, drives strong, and delivers more comfort and confidence for the money, the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer leaves the Hyundai Kona trailing behind.
Comparing Chevy Trailblazer VS Hyundai Kona
| Trailblazer | Kona | |
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| Styling and Exterior Features
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Chevy Trailblazer is a 5 passenger CUV/SUV designed to stand out with its popular bold looks and sculpted lines. Trailblazer LS, with MSRP $24,995 (includes destination), comes with 17-inch painted Silver aluminum wheels, cloth front buckets in Jet Black or Jet Black with Ash Gray inserts, active front grille shutters, and optional Blackout Package as sporty touches for inspired styling. Trailblazer RS trim includes 19-inch Gloss Black machined aluminum wheels, two-tone Mosaic Black Metallic or Apex Red roof, and Jet Black front buckets with Red accents. Trailblazer ACTIV trim includes 17-inch Gloss Black machined aluminum wheels, two-tone Summit White or Iridescent Pearl roof, Jet Black / Artemis front buckets with Yellow stitching, and Titanium chrome-plated front and rear lower fascias. Trailblazer's LT, RS, and ACTIV trims offer optional heated power adjustable outside mirrors, power dual-pane panoramic sunroof, power programmable liftgate, trailering package, and roof mounted side rails.
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Hyundai Kona is a 5 passenger CUV/SUV at the higher end price point, with a futuristic, rounded-body design as opposed to a more rugged, sporty look. Some may be turned off by all of the dull black bodyside molding, cladding, and wheel well trim made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic. Kona SE, with MSRP $26,845 (includes destination), comes with 17" alloy wheels, body colored rear spoiler, and active grille shutters. Kona's SEL Sport, with MSRP of $28,170, includes 18" Gloss Black alloy wheels, Gloss Black rear spoiler, and roof side rails. SEL Kona's Premium, with MSRP of $30,045, includes 19" alloy wheels, Gloss Black rear spoiler, heated side mirrors with turn signals, and roof side rails. Kona's Limited trim, with MSRP of $34,145, includes 19" silver/black alloy wheels, satin chrome beltline trim and rear spoiler; plus adds H-tec seating, power driver seat, hands free liftgate, power tilt/slide sunroof.
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| Engine Performance and Towing Capacity
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Chevy Trailblazer comes equipped with an ECOTEC 1.2L In-line 3 Turbo DOHC DI with Variable Valve Timing, E85-compatible engine in FWDs and produces 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. An ECOTEC 1.3L in-line 3 Turbo DOHC SIDI with Variable Valve Timing engine is available on FWDs and standard on AWDs, and coupled with Chevy's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), produces 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Critics state these engines deliver a "peppy performance and strong low-end torque that is more energetic than the naturally aspirated engine found in other CUVs." EPA fuel efficiency for the 1.2L engine is 29 mpg city/33 mpg highway, and 30 mpg city/33 mpg highway for the 1.3L engine. Chevy offers Front Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive in all new Trailblazers. Chevy Trailblazer has a towing capacity of 1,000 lbs.
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Hyundai Kona comes equipped with a 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve I-4 engine with a variable transmission, that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. A 1.6L Turbo GDI DOHC 16-Valve I-4 engine in the SEL Premium and Limited trims, coupled with an 8-speed transmission, produces 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Kona comes standard with front wheel drive and is available with all wheel drive. EPA fuel efficiency for the Kona SE FWD is 29 mpg highway / 34 mpg city and SE AWD is 27 mpg highway / 29 mpg city; the Kona SEL Premium and Limited FWD are 26 mpg highway / 31 mpg city, and SEL Premium and Limited AWD are 25 mpg highway / 28 mpg city. Internationally Hyundai's Kona is rated to tow 600 kilograms or 1,323 lbs; but within North America, the 2026 Kona is listed on spec sheets as "Towing - Not Recommended." |
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Interior Features and Cargo Capacity |
Trailblazer seats five comfortably with a spacious passenger volume of 98.20 cu ft and 54.40 cu ft of cargo volume. Chevy's innovative fold-down front seat supports carrying items up to 8.5 ft long. Trailblazer's interior has 40.90" front / 39.00" rear leg room, 55.42" front / 53.79" rear shoulder room, and 39.98" front / 38.40" rear headroom. Trailblazer comes in four trim levels, the LS, LT, RS, and ACTIV, all equipped with 8" diagonal color Driver Information Center, audio system with 6 speakers, wireless Apple Play / Android Auto, Sirius, and WIFi capable, power locks and windows, theft-deterrent alarm, front bucket seats, front center floor console, rear pulldown console, cabin and cargo area lighting, optional heated seats, and more.
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Kona seats five comfortably with passenger volume of 101.2 cu ft in the SE and SEL Sport trims, and 99 cu ft in the SEL Premium and Limited trim. Kona's SE and SEL Sport trims come with Black or Gray cloth front bucket seats, and Kona's SEL Premium and Limited trims come with H-Tech material. All Kona trims come with a 60/40 split second row seat that recline. Kona interior has 7" front / 38.20" rear leg room, 56.80" front / 55.20" rear shoulder room, and 39.980" front / 38.30" rear headroom. All Kona's come with 12.3" touchscreen audio display, 6 speakers, wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay compatibility, Blue Link, and cabin / cargo lighting. Only the Limited offers optional power tilt/slide sunroof, Bose Premium audio with 8 speakers, WIFI, heated / ventilated front buckets, and auto-dim rear view mirror. |
| Safety and Technology
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Chevrolet Trailblazer has a 5-star NHTSA Overall Safety Rating. Trailblazer comes with Chevy Safety Assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking, rear child security door locks, LATCH anchoring tethers, keyless entry with remote panic alarm, rear vision camera, tire pressure monitoring, tire fill alert, daytime running lights, OnStar, Teen Driver, and Buckle To Drive. Trailblazer's optional safety features include rear cross traffic braking, rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
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Hyundai Kona has a 4-star NHTSA Overall Safety Rating. Kona comes with blind spot and rear cross traffic collision avoidance warning, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning, direct oncoming detection, lane following and lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Kona's optional safety features that are only available in the Limited trim include blind spot view monitor, parking distance warning, highway driving assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise with Curve Control, and Smart Cruise Control w. Stop & Go. |
The Trailblazer Outpaces the Kona
When it comes to combining power, technology, and design, the Chevy Trailblazer pulls ahead of the Hyundai Kona at every turn. From its bold two-tone exterior options to its advanced safety suite and impressive cargo versatility, the Trailblazer offers everything modern SUV buyers want—and more. The Kona remains a capable competitor, but its smaller cargo space, lower torque output, and less intuitive infotainment setup make it hard to keep pace with Chevy’s all-around excellence.
Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or setting off for a weekend escape, the Trailblazer delivers the perfect mix of efficiency, space, and confidence to fit your lifestyle. Backed by Chevy’s long-standing reputation for durability and backed by a nationwide service network, the Trailblazer is built for the long haul.
Discover how the Chevy Trailblazer outperforms the Hyundai Kona in person. Visit Bob Fisher Chevrolet in Reading, PA, today to explore available trims, experience its technology firsthand, and take one for a test drive. Once you’re behind the wheel, you’ll see why more drivers are choosing the Trailblazer as their next compact SUV.