2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. It featured a stylish design with dark grey plastic trim around its lower perimeter, reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona’s stacked triple front lights and the Kia Soul’s two-tone paint options. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted a well-thought-out design with excellent control layout and storage, though it was marred by the presence of hard shiny plastic, which felt out of place at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a large SUV that harkened back to Buick’s glory days with its impressive size and presence. It was the largest of Buick’s SUV lineup, offering a luxurious appearance, especially in the Avenir trim, which added unique grille patterns and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured upscale styling with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, along with the QuietTuned cabin, provided a serene driving experience, despite the fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options. The base model came with a 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions, including the Activ AWD, featured a more powerful 1.3-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer’s performance was adequate for most driving conditions, though it struggled on steep inclines. It averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in fuel economy, slightly below the official rating.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave’s acceleration was strong, and it handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The V6 engine’s low torque peak contributed to its impressive towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave’s fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it achieved 11.1 L/100 km during testing. The premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping provided a smooth ride across various terrains.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a mix of cloth and leatherette seating options, with the latter being less comfortable due to its tendency to trap sweat. The front seats were adjustable and supportive, but the rear seats were less comfortable with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer provided ample cargo space, expanding from 716 litres to 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded, and over 2.5 metres of cargo length with the front passenger seat down.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, comfortably seating six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave’s third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 668 litres of space, expanding to 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and 2,764 litres with the second row down. The Enclave’s triple-zone climate control and QuietTuned cabin ensured a comfortable and serene environment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two infotainment options. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The upgraded system offered an 8-inch display, wireless connectivity, and a Bose premium audio system. The interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy operation.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. However, it fell short in screen size and audio quality compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system, but its connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped 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 the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it had some issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package included forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it was docked for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated it highly, but its headlight performance prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.