When looking for the best SUV for a family, there are a few essential things to consider. To start, determine how much room you need for your family; whether you use your new SUV for short trips around town or if your family loves road trips, having enough space for everyone and their things is essential. Once you’ve figured that out, consider the safety features of each SUV; you’ll want to choose a vehicle that provides you with the security suite you most instinctively trust and the one with the strongest history of reliability and dependability. Lastly, don’t forget the overall experience, especially if you spend a lot of time in your SUV; your new SUV needs to be comfortable, and you’ll want to remain connected while traveling. If you can find an SUV that ticks all these boxes, you’ll have found the right one for you.
Now that you know what to look for, consider the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2024 Chevy Trailblazer matchup in the scheme of family haulers. Both these SUVs are family-oriented, but which one gives you more of what you need and want? Continue reading to learn more about each model and how they stack up against the prescribed metrics…
Capacity and Cargo Space
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a sporty vehicle with four trims, all offering numerous amenities. It has room for five, with 56.8 inches of shoulder room in the front and 55.3 inches in the rear. It also has a cargo capacity of 19.9 cu.ft. with the seats in the upright position, while lowering the backseat increases that capacity to 54.7 cu.ft.
The second row comes standard with a 60/40-split that folds flat for convenience. You also get the option of a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats, and a variety of upholstery ranging from cloth to leather, depending on your trim selection. This 2024 Subaru shines when exploring its cargo area, built for adventure; from the wide rear gate that makes loading and unloading easy to the available built-in backlight, the tail end of the Crosstrek is something to smile about.
The Chevy Trailblazer also has room for five with the same caliber of 60/40-split folding seats. With the rear seats folded down, the Trailblazer offers 54.4 inches of cargo space—almost equal to the space you get with the Subaru. The shoulder room is slightly less than the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek at 53.8 inches in the rear and 55.4 inches in the front. Similar to the Crosstrek, you have the option of heated seats, a power-adjusted driver’s seat, and various upholstery options to choose from.
Between the two, you get ample room for you and your passengers and several upgrades to make the ride more comfortable.
Safety Features
Safety features are often the most researched topic when looking at any new vehicle, especially when you need that vehicle to be family-friendly. It doesn’t matter where you’re headed. With family in the vehicle, you need to know you’re all protected. Across the board, all automotive manufacturers are focused on state-of-the-art technologies that make driving safer—Subaru and Chevrolet included.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Safety
Subarus are built for families who like to go on adventures. Subaru drivers live for the outdoors, and according to Subaru, 80% of people who buy a Crosstrek want an SUV that can handle any terrain; this is why they added 10% more strength to the new Crosstrek’s frame, making it more durable. Subaru also added the X-Mode all-wheel drive system on the new Crosstrek to ensure a well-round experience.
X-Mode includes EyeSight, a set of advanced driver assistance features that make driving more manageable. Additionally, Subaru is only one of a few manufacturers that allow Lane Centering Assistance while also using Adaptive Cruise Control. Other safety features for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek include…
High Beam Assist: Standard on all trims, this tool works in conjunction with EyeSight to automatically switch from low to high beams so you can keep your focus on the road; it’ll also dim in the presence of oncoming traffic so as to not blind other drivers.
Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This available tool supports you by alerting you when objects are in your blind spot or when something is behind you that you might not be able to detect simply by using your mirrors. The former refers to sideways movement, while the latter denotes rearward movement.
Subaru Starlink: This tool is standard on most trims; it provides quick assistance when you’re involved in a collision, need roadside assistance, or need your vehicle locked or unlocked remotely.
Eyesight Driver Assist Technology: This collection of driver assistance tools is standard no matter what trim you choose. Eyesight includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Pre-Collision Braking, and more. This system has earned Subaru the highest ranking by IIHS for front crash prevention.
2024 Chevy Trailblazer Safety
The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This system of driver assistance features includes Forward Collision Alert, which functions similarly to Subaru’s Pre-Collision Braking, and a Lane Keep Assist With Lane Departure Warning that is also much like the Crosstrek’s Lane Keep Assist. In addition, IntelliBeam High Beam Assist and a Following Distance Indicator are part of the basic Chevy Safety Assist suite, though this suite can be upgraded to include more refined features.
Connectivity and Entertainment
In today’s technological world, it’s hard to be disconnected for even a few minutes. Subaru understands this and has included connectivity features for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek that allow you to have the connection you need while still enjoying the great outdoors.
It all starts with Subaru Starlink’s 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment center that connects you to your vehicle via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sirius XM Travel Link, and more. You also get multiple USB-A and USB-C input ports, a seamless connection to Bluetooth devices, and hands-free phone and text messaging, so your focus remains on the road. This infotainment system is bolstered by four to six speakers, an option to upgrade to a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability.
The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer also puts connectivity front and center with a slightly smaller 11.0-inch infotainment center. You also get a standard connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the ability to mirror your phone to your infotainment center. For surround sound, you can opt for the available Bose Audio System.
Whether traveling for a vacation or dropping the kids off at soccer practice, having connectivity is important. Knowing that you can maintain your connections while driving a brand you trust is even better.
Choosing Your Family’s Next SUV
In addition to the topics listed above, quality is essential. Subaru has had exceptional quality, retention, and safety ratings rankings in the last few years. Meanwhile, Chevrolet tied with Subaru in two safety comparisons and ranked high in reliability ratings.
From comfort and cargo space to connectivity on your next road trip, choosing your next SUV is easy when you know what each offers. In the past few years, family time has meant even more than before, with many households headed out to the wilderness for weekend adventures or spending long vacations traveling around the country.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, you want to ensure you travel in a vehicle that exceeds your baseline and keeps you safe.
