2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the past with its modern retro design, reminiscent of the classic Bronco. It was a unibody crossover that combined rugged styling with everyday practicality, making it suitable for both urban and adventurous settings. The vehicle featured a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a rear design that echoed its larger sibling. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, enhancing both its aesthetic and off-road capabilities. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet refined interior, with a focus on functionality and comfort. The cabin featured a unique design for the HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. Interior trims varied from cloth to leather, with practical features like rubberized flooring and cargo protection.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, on the other hand, was a striking SUV with a design that drew comparisons to high-end models like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive styling included a wedgy profile, slim windows, and a bold front end with thin lights and a tall grille. The Blazer's exterior was designed to make a statement, with various customization options available, including different grille designs and wheel sizes up to 21 inches. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with a predominantly black cabin that felt low-rent for its price point. The seats were unsupportive, and the materials used were not up to par with competitors in the same price range. Despite this, the Blazer offered some comfort features like heated seats and a power tailgate, but overall, the interior felt dated and lacked the quality expected at its price.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a competent performer, with the 2.0-litre engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer in Canada offered two engine choices, with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The base engine for the LT and True North trims was a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, producing 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The preferred engine was the 3.6-litre V6, standard on the RS and Premier trims, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer's performance was enhanced by a sport-tuned suspension and a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle on the RS trim. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. Despite these drawbacks, the Blazer handled well, with good grip and steering. Fuel consumption ratings were average, with the AWD V6 achieving 12.0 L/100 km city and 8.7 highway.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle could tow up to 997 kilograms with the 2.0-litre engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage, though visibility was a minor issue for taller drivers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer comfortably seated four, with seats mounted lower for easy entry and exit. However, sightlines were poor due to its design. The Blazer offered 1,818 litres of cargo space with the rear seat folded and 864 litres when raised. It could tow up to 2,041 kilograms with the trailering package and V6 engine. The Blazer featured simple controls, like temperature dials integrated into the air vents, and offered conveniences like a hands-free power tailgate and automatic climate controls. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with options for a digital speedometer and heated seats.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and higher trims offered a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system included navigation, onboard apps, and the ability to upload settings to a GM cloud account. The Blazer also offered privacy settings for apps and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrated to warn of potential collisions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard safety features like forward collision alert and lane-keep assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights were rated "Marginal" and "Poor." The Blazer lacked some advanced safety features like rear emergency braking.