2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal that resonated with a diverse range of buyers. Its classic Jeep styling, featuring a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, provided a balanced look suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. This versatility in appearance made it attractive to a wide demographic, transcending social and economic boundaries. However, as the price of the Grand Cherokee increased, the interior materials did not always match the premium expectations, with hard plastics becoming more noticeable and disappointing in higher-priced models.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a standout in exterior styling, often drawing comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive design, with a wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels, made a bold statement. The Blazer's styling was a departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing excitement from the Camaro with its muscled body and distinctive front end. However, the interior did not match the exterior's promise, with a low-rent feel and materials that seemed inadequate for its price point. Despite this, the Blazer's design left a lasting impression, making it memorable from every angle.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of powertrains, starting with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfying acceleration and a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres, though real-world testing showed a slightly higher 12.1 L/100 km. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk, delivering a staggering 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road capabilities, with the Trailhawk model offering all-terrain tires and advanced 4WD systems. However, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but average steering and braking performance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, available with two engine options in Canada, featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 227 hp and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 308 hp. The V6, standard on higher trims, provided strong performance and a sport-tuned suspension for improved handling. The Blazer's AWD system required manual activation, and while it offered good grip and steering, the transmission's slow response in Sport mode was a drawback. Fuel consumption for the AWD V6 was rated at 12.0 L/100 km city and 8.7 highway. Despite some transmission calibration issues, the Blazer's chassis delivered a sporty driving experience, reminiscent of more premium brands.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with seating for five, offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,934 litres with them folded. The interior featured heated, power-adjustable front seats, though ventilation was not available on the Limited X trim. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage solutions included a centre console tray and door-panel bins, though the glovebox was limited in space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four with its low-mounted seats facilitating easy entry and exit. Cargo capacity was 864 litres with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres when folded. The Blazer excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 2,041 kg when properly equipped. Interior controls were user-friendly, with innovative features like temperature dials integrated into air vent rings and a hands-free power tailgate. The infotainment system was fast and intuitive, with options for heated and cooled seats and a digital speedometer.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed and ease of use, though competitors had caught up in recent years. The system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. An optional Alpine audio system was available, though not as impressive as the Harman Kardon setup in higher trims. Unique to Jeep was the Off-Road Pages app, providing valuable off-roading data.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering Bluetooth, smartphone compatibility, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. The RS trim added features like wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system supported navigation, onboard apps, and cloud-based settings transfer. GM's app store allowed for easy downloads and updates, with privacy settings for data management.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I standard across all trims, including a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS for certain crash tests.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard safety features like forward collision alert and lane-keep assist. It received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and top ratings from IIHS, though its headlights were rated poorly. The Blazer lacked semi-automated driving functions but offered enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.