2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and upscale appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more dynamic and memorable look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's promise, with low-rent materials and a dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge maintained a cleaner and more refined exterior design since its 2019 refresh. The Edge's styling was less flashy but more cohesive, offering a polished look that appealed to those who found the Blazer's design overwrought. The Edge Titanium featured chrome accents, while the ST trim had a sportier appearance with a blacked-out grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, but it still offered leather upholstery on Titanium models and sporty seats on the ST trim, making it a comfortable and functional choice.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.5-liter inline-four engine, available on the L and 1LT trims, was underpowered with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, standard on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims, provided a more acceptable 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The preferred engine was the 3.6-liter V6 on the RS trim, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS also featured a sport-tuned suspension and a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, the transmission's slow responses and convoluted manual mode detracted from the overall sporty experience. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge ST performance model featured a more powerful 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque with standard AWD. The Edge ST also had model-specific suspension tuning and optional upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels. While the Edge ST's performance was not on par with high-end SUVs like the Porsche Macan, it offered a sporty driving experience within its segment. The Edge's towing capacities ranged from 3,958 pounds for the base FWD model to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer comfortably seated four passengers, with lower-mounted seats that made entry and exit easy. However, its poor sightlines were a drawback, mitigated somewhat by large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera enhancements. Cargo space was competitive, with 64 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. The Blazer's trailering package allowed it to tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and AWD. The Blazer also featured user-friendly controls, such as movable rings around the front air vents for temperature adjustments and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge's rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, although the narrow console width limited its usefulness. Higher trim levels featured a foot-activated power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, which included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added features like wireless phone charging, LED headlights, 360-degree cameras, and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system offered a "Plus" version with navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Standard driver assists included forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams on most trims.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge also had four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for the 2021 model year. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it user-friendly, and the Edge's tech offerings were competitive within its segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims with the Driver Confidence II package.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It received an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and "Acceptable" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.