2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a stylish subcompact SUV, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. It featured design elements like dark gray plastic trim and borrowed styling cues from the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, making it an attractive choice. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with skid plate trim, unique 17-inch wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted excellent design with a well-organized control layout and appealing detailing, though it was marred by hard shiny plastics that felt out of place at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V had a familiar and fun design, with soft, curvy lines reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. Its exterior leaned more towards a station wagon look, making it a modern family vehicle. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. Despite this, the CR-V offered a spacious and well-packaged cabin, with clever storage solutions and a roomy cargo compartment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a choice between two turbocharged 3-cylinder engines. The base 1.2-litre engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The more powerful 1.3-litre engine delivered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with AWD and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. However, it struggled on uphill sections and was noisy on highways. Fuel economy averaged 8.8 L/100 km, slightly below the official rating.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with a standard 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT. The CR-V's powertrain was well-matched, offering quick acceleration, especially in Sport mode. Its road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. The CR-V's lightweight design contributed to its fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km and AWD models at 8.1 L/100 km, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats in LS and LT trims, while higher trims featured leatherette upholstery. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were less so, with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer's cargo space expanded from 716 litres to 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded, and the front passenger seat folded down for additional cargo length. However, the automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and packaging. It offered ample head- and legroom, with an excellent seating position for visibility. The cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor for flexibility. The CR-V's clever storage solutions included a deep centre console and large door pockets. With the rear seats folded, cargo space ranged from 1,065 to 1,110 litres, depending on the trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured two infotainment systems, with the upgraded version offering an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for easy operation. The Trailblazer also included USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and limited functionality. It lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but felt tacked on. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with a wireless charger available on higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star safety rating from NHTSA. However, some safety features were inconsistent in performance.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS. However, lower trims had less effective halogen headlights, and there was a recall for a potential rear subframe failure.