Which SUV is for me: 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD RS, Traverse AWD RS, or the Tahoe RST?
Femme Drive (@femmedrive) traveled to Miami, Florida and drove through and around the tri-county area into Delray Beach, Florida. (We were so excited and thankful to General Motors for lending us these press cars to test drive. All opinions are my own. ) If you love this article, follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @gingermeglam.
Welcome to the first Femme Drive with all 4 members driving together in South Florida! Here we posted up in front of an iconic Lynwood mural with the Chevrolet Traverse (L) and the Trailblazer (R).
(Femme Drive members L-R: @multiculturalmaven, @gingermeglam @kittysglamrides, @jerseyfashionista, and @sassyautochick)
What I Love about the Trailblazer
We love the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD RS. It’s spacious, great on gas, and easy on the eyes…and of course, affordable!
Exterior/Interior
Wow, does the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD RS pack a punch! The 1.3L Turbo engine delivers 174 lb.-ft of max torque, so when you need to go the distance up, down, and around in sunshine or snow, or a moment’s notice with safety first, you’ll be ready to go with ample performance.
Its starting MSRP is $22,100 with 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. You’d be surprised that you can fit a lot inside! Ok, so how much stuff? We fit in all of our luggage plus extra shopping bags along the way.
If you’re on a road trip, you need something capable, easy on your wallet, and that can haul everyone and everything. Storage, style, and affordability while delivering on performance? Sign us up. And the stitching on the interior? I am living for it. Head over to my Instagram and watch the corresponding IG Reels. The black interior is ideal, especially if you’re on the go. Fact: It’s easy to clean for all those snackers with you.
Driving Impressions
The Trailblazer is overall extra sporty with its handling and all-wheel drive mode. (And we had those 18” high gloss black machined aluminum wheels, too, so if we dared to go on an off-road adventure, it would be more than capable.) I’d love to drive it around Texas during the winter to compare how it handles versus a warm all-year round Florida drive.
Whether you like yellow or not, after driving this Trailblazer around town, you too will find that it is way too fun to not enjoy it on any drive. (We’re known for dressing extra colorful, so thanks GM for getting us a color to match our vibe. We were sure to bring that bubbly spirit, too!)
Overall Thoughts
This bright Nitro Yellow Metallic exterior with the Mosaic Black Metallic accents is sure to turn heads! What’s not to love? The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD RS: Fall in love with this bright beauty for its capabilities with torque when you need it and comfortable luxury at the price.
What I Love about the Traverse
The Radiant Red exterior color creates a stand-out presence for the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse AWD RS.
Exterior/Interior
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse AWD RS is the perfect size SUV. Not too big and not small at all, it’s the sweet spot with 98.2 cu. ft of cargo space. Starting at $48,440 MSRP, you get 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with the Traverse AWD RS. On the outside, the Radiant Red exterior color is stunning and classic. With the interior, I love that there is red stitching for a stylish touch. And if you’re looking to bring the ATVs, jet skis, boats, show car, and/or dirt bikes to your vacation spot or competitions—whatever it may be—you can tow up to 5,000 lbs. I love premium features at a standard, and the safety features sell themselves. I felt safe knowing there was standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and front pedestrian braking, too. Driving in Miami will prepare you to drive anywhere, and after growing up here, I can speak to that. It helps you become aware, but adding this extra layer of awareness is extra peace for me, especially as a mother.
Driving Impressions
Excellent torque! The Traverse easily picked up speed on the highway, and with a pleasant surprise, the ride was quiet. There is plenty of extra space to seat a total of 7 passengers. With a third row, it gives you more flexibility between cargo and seating space. Depending on what you need, you can flex it your way. I enjoyed the captain’s chairs, so it was easy to get in and out of the third row. With vents throughout the cabin and 10 cupholders, this is the SUV you need to keep everyone hydrated, relaxed, and engaged in the moment. Hauling kids in this SUV would be easier with all of the space for them to bring all of their bags along too. I am short, but some of our taller passengers fit comfortably with enough legroom. It’s a big deal to get everyone inside, bags stowed, and ample comfort everywhere you look.
Overall Thoughts
The Traverse is spacious for the price, and since it was bigger than my usual daily driver, having the backup camera really gives you a sense of safety to see all of your surroundings. The safety features are much needed on a day-to-day basis, but even more so when traveling and on the go in uncharted territory. I would select this same trim because of the overall value for what you’re getting, and I love a spacious SUV for the whole family. The 20” wheels and a 3.6L V6 engine give me the performance at the height I need to see the adventures ahead. (At this height, it’s nice driving and not having the headlights in my mirrors!)
What I Love about the Tahoe
Exterior/Interior
The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST starts at $62,300 MSRP. It elevates what it means to have the big SUV with the power you need to tow all the toys (trailers with recreational vehicles) and comfort to bring along your family and friends to make the trip complete. The MPG is 14 in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. While you’re driving to and from the city or on cruising down the highway with the family, you’ll definitely need more space. It’s the SUV for you with loads of smart tech from the entertainment to the remote access on the myChevrolet app and packed with everything you’ll need to go off-road or on the road with or without a trailer. Drive hands-free for both Android and Apple users? Yes, please. With adaptive cruise control, it’s a game changer so you can say goodbye to your foot wincing at the thought of holding down the pedals for hours.
Driving Impressions
We turned up Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion in this ride, and let me tell you: the sound system did not disappoint! Sitting on 22” wheels with the panoramic power sunroof made this South Florida drive certainly a memorable one. With the Jet Black/Victory Red perforated leather surfaces in the first and second row, you know you can keep your cool and not melt too much under the Miami heat and sun. Even though the size is bigger than your average SUV, the cameras everywhere eliminate skewed views and increase your visibility to ensure you’re parking within the lines. And if you’re unsure if you can clearly move ahead, it’ll show you to help you figure out the path forward.
Overall Thoughts
I used to feel intimidated with larger SUVs like this, but this makes it seamless and easy to get around without worrying if you’ll clear things. In fact, it gives me peace to see everything and the safety features also alert me with surrounding traffic, pedestrians, and yes, even curbs. Shorties, even we can drive the impressively stunning and storage-tastic Tahoe! It’s worth all the hype.
