2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more stylish and dynamic look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark and unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained a more understated look, closely resembling its gas-only counterparts with subtle differences like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The interior featured unique instrumentation for the hybrid system and offered a comfortable and spacious cabin. The CR-V Hybrid's design focused more on practicality and comfort, with high-quality materials and thoughtful touches like supportive front seats and ample rear legroom.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, but the base 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower was underwhelming. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 horsepower was a better choice, but the standout was the 3.6-liter V6 on the RS trim, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The RS trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension and a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, the transmission calibration had issues, particularly in Sport mode, and the lack of paddle shifters made manual mode cumbersome. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid paired a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. It also had three driver-selected modes: Econ, Sport, and EV. The hybrid system provided a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg combined, achieving only 33.7 mpg during testing. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack improved its weight distribution and center of gravity, contributing to its stable handling.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height did not compromise interior space, and the seats were mounted lower for easy entry and exit. However, visibility was poor due to the design, though large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera systems helped mitigate this issue. Cargo space was decent, with 64 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Blazer's trailering package allowed it to tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 and AWD configuration.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats were supportive and offered 12-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seats provided ample legroom, and the flat floor made it comfortable for three passengers. Cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, with 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid remained practical for carrying people and cargo.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Driver assists like forward automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist were standard on most trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and slow performance. It lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. However, it offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Touring trim included a nine-speaker premium audio system. The CR-V Hybrid also featured dual quick-charging USB ports for the rear seats and wireless smartphone charging in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights were rated "Marginal" and "Poor." It included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.