2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. It featured a stylish design with dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona’s stacked triple front lights and the Kia Soul’s two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted an excellent design with a well-organized control layout and attractive detailing, although the presence of hard shiny plastic was a downside, especially at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX underwent a redesign, offering a more refined and simplified look. The NX was unmistakably a Lexus with its signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. It was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior featured NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, with real leather and open-pore wood trim available in the Executive Package. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique mesh-pattern grille and sport-bolstered seats. The minimalist interior design, however, led to some challenges with the touchscreen controls, which could be difficult to navigate quickly.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options. The base model came with a turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions featured a more powerful 1.3-litre 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Trailblazer's powertrain was generally agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. However, it struggled on steep inclines and had a firm ride, with suspension impact harshness over bumps. The Trailblazer averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in fuel economy, slightly below the official rating.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including the turbocharged NX 350 with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard AWD. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 was smooth and responsive, with a credible 0 to 60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. Fuel consumption was observed at 10.6 L/100 km for the F Sport and 9.2 L/100 km for the non-F Sport, with NRCan estimating 9.5 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats in LS and LT trims, while higher trims featured leatherette upholstery. The automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool, especially when the engine stop/start system activated. The front seats provided good support, but the rear seats were less comfortable with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer offered 716 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing over 2.5 metres of cargo length.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The F Sport trim offered better bolstering for the front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The NX featured a panoramic glass sunroof and a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. Cargo space increased by 14% to 643 litres behind the back seat, expandable to 1,328 litres with the seats folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems, with the upgraded version featuring an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for power, volume, and tuning. The Bose system effectively drowned out road noise and wind.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch touchscreen display, upgradeable to a 14-inch screen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and over-the-air software updates. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The Voice Assistant responded to natural commands, and the NX offered a digital key feature. However, the 14-inch screen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

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 the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent in performance.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Additional safety features were available in packages.