The 2025 Honda HR-V or the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer: Which is Better?

Choosing a practical and economic means of transportation is on the minds of many drivers in 2025. Luckily, the SUV segment provides many different offerings that can provide both of these aspects in one convenient package. With so many makes and models available, narrowing in on one that can meet your needs and expectations can sometimes seem difficult. We’re offering a comparison between two vehicles many drivers are keen to own. The Honda HR-V and Chevy Trailblazer are two subcompact SUVs that are positioned as high-value options for prospective buyers. Today, it’s the 2025 Honda HR-V vs 2025 Chevy Trailblazer. We’re going to be taking a closer look at both and determine which one is the better option.

For many drivers, everything begins with the powertrain. A vehicle that’s designed to transport the modern family to various destinations should have plenty of power and agile handling while also providing the means to handle unpredictable road conditions. Both the HR-V and Trailblazer have the advantage of coming standard with front-wheel drive, making them both excellent options for city-dwelling drivers, and have available all-wheel drive for those who enjoy the occasional jaunt off the pavement. However, there are a few notable differences between the two vehicles that are worth mentioning.

The Chevy Trailblazer offers two different powertrains, both of which are three-cylinder engines. Drivers who decide to stick with the standard front-wheel drive configuration are limited to a turbocharged 1.2L three-cylinder engine that produces 137 hp. This particular engine is paired with a CVT, which is ideal for fuel economy and handling the stop-and-go patterns accompanying city driving. The 1.2L is the more economical of the two engines, but it cannot be equipped with all-wheel drive, which becomes a disadvantage. In order to gain access to all-wheel drive in the Trailblazer, drivers must opt for the 1.3L three-cylinder, which increases performance to 155 hp but loses the fuel-efficient CVT in favor of a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Honda HR-V finds a way to outclass the Trailblazer in the performance sphere by making one powertrain standard across all trims, regardless of the drivetrain. The 2025 Honda HR-V comes with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, which not only outperforms the 1.3L offering of the Trailblazer by producing 158 hp but connects to a CVT in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. With the CVT on all versions of the HR-V, drivers can go in the city and off the pavement with the same smooth handling and performance, no matter what they choose.

Verdict: Hands down, the Honda HR-V is more adept when it comes to performance than the Chevy Trailblazer.

Not every driver is overly concerned about what lies under the hood and the performance that comes through the powertrain. In fact, many drivers are more concerned with having a comfortable interior that’s practical for seating and storage. Both the HR-V and Trailblazer offer these elements to drivers, and this is where our examination will focus next.

The best way to describe the interior of the Chevy Trailblazer is “bare-bones.” In fact, if it weren’t for the inclusion of the hexagon-shaped driver display and matching infotainment screen, the layout that Chevy brings to the table would be all but forgettable. The materials that Chevy constructs its interior out of are also relatively cheap-looking, and drivers who wish to have a more refined and sophisticated experience behind the wheel will have to spend extra, either for an additional upgrade package or a higher level of trim. Several items that come standard on the HR-V, such as automatic climate control and adaptive cruise control, cost extra on the Trailblazer. The Trailblazer does offer considerable storage room, with 54.4 cu.ft. becoming available when the rear seats are folded.

If the layout that Chevy has chosen to implement is minimalist, the exact opposite can be said of the Honda HR-V. Honda has always utilized excellent materials to satisfy drivers. The items in the HR-V’s interior are intelligently positioned, allowing for an immersive experience that provides comfort for all. The infotainment screen is placed on top of the dashboard rather than embedded in it like it is on the Trailblazer, which makes for a stylish and upscale touch. Automatic climate control is standard across all trims, ensuring comfort, and the HR-V also offers more available storage space, 55.1 cu.ft. to be exact. The EX-L trim also comes with wireless phone charging, which is a feature that costs extra on all trims of the Trailblazer.

Verdict: The Chevy Trailblazer has one saving grace related to its interior—the infotainment screen. The less-than-appealing interior layout and fewer amenities for a comfortable experience when on the road hinder its overall appeal. The Honda HR-V, with its refined interior design, more items that appeal to all drivers, and increased storage capacity, makes for a more enjoyable and practical SUV, inside and out.

When it comes to purchasing the right SUV, performance and a comfortable interior are certainly worth examining, but nothing will ever replace the importance of being safe while you’re behind the wheel. Honda and Chevy have a reputation for providing the public with safe vehicles that give drivers peace of mind. This is the most important aspect of our examination, so we’ve decided to save the best for last.

The 2025 Chevy Trailblazer has a host of various features that provide protection and oversight and are available through Chevy Safety Assist, a comprehensive suite of features that comes standard across all trims. These items include a Following Distance Indicator, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Forward Collision Alert. All of these features are imperative for ensuring reaction time in the event of a potential collision. Chevy Safety Assist also includes Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning to help you maintain the correct position on the road and IntelliBeam to assist with visibility when light is limited or nonexistent.

Like Chevy, Honda provides various items through its own comprehensive suite of features, which it refers to as Honda Safety Sense. Honda standard provides Forward Collision Warning, a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Lane Keeping Assist System, and Auto High-Beam Headlights. However, the number of standard items that Honda offers across all trims far surpasses that of Chevy. All versions of the 2025 Honda HR-V include a Traffic Sign Recognition System, Traffic Jam Assist to help reduce driver fatigue, and perhaps the most notable of all, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, which doesn’t come standard on any trim of the Chevy Trailblazer.

Verdict: With more driver-assist features than the Trailblazer and many more that come standard at all times, the Honda HR-V is the ideal choice for the driver who prioritizes safety and peace of mind when driving.

After thoroughly examining the 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Chevy Trailblazer, we’ve arrived at our conclusion. The HR-V, with its better performance, an interior that finds a unique balance between practical and premium, and a broader range of driver-assistance features that come standard, is far and away the better choice for drivers from all walks of life. There will be many SUVs for sale during the 2025 model year, but only one Honda HR-V.