2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Hyundai Venue filled a long-standing gap in Hyundai's lineup by entering the subcompact SUV segment. Despite the introduction of the Kona in 2018, the Venue distinguished itself as a more affordable option with a focus on practicality rather than premium features. Its upright design and unique touches, such as the white contrasting roof on the Denim trim and a large chrome grille, gave it a distinctive appearance. Inside, the Venue offered a modern and clean cabin with ample space for both front and rear passengers, ensuring comfort and visibility on the road. The Venue's trims, including SE, SEL, and Denim, provided a range of features, with the SEL trim being particularly recommended when paired with the Premium package for added amenities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer, presented a stylish and rugged appearance with its Activ trim. This trim featured unique design elements like skid plate trim, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and a two-tone paint scheme. The Trailblazer's interior design was praised for its excellent layout and detailing, although it did have some hard plastic surfaces. The vehicle's Activ trim, equipped with AWD and various option packages, offered a comprehensive set of features, including leatherette seats and a range of technology options. However, the Trailblazer's interior comfort was somewhat compromised by its climate control system, which struggled to maintain a consistent temperature.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (IVT) on most trims, with a manual option available on the base trim. The Venue's power was directed to the front wheels, with no AWD option, making it more akin to a compact hatchback than a traditional SUV. While the Venue offered decent ride height and visibility, its acceleration was underwhelming, and the engine noise was noticeable. The Venue's fuel economy was commendable, achieving 30 mpg city, 34 highway, and 32 combined with the CVT.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options: a standard 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The latter was paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission when equipped with AWD. The Trailblazer's powertrain provided adequate performance for most driving conditions, although it struggled on steep inclines. The vehicle's fuel economy averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg combined. The Trailblazer's driving dynamics were characterized by excellent roll control and responsive steering, but its suspension was firm, leading to a harsh ride over rough surfaces.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue offered a spacious interior with ample head- and legroom for front passengers, even accommodating taller individuals comfortably. The rear seats provided decent legroom, although cargo space was limited compared to the Hyundai Kona. With the rear seats folded, the Venue offered 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Kona provided 45.8 cubic feet. The Venue's control layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and dials for essential functions, although the automatic climate control system's display could be confusing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior featured leatherette seats, which were comfortable but tended to trap sweat. The front seats offered good support, but the rear seats were less comfortable due to their flat cushions and reclined backrest position. The Trailblazer's cargo space was competitive, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing additional cargo length. However, the Trailblazer's climate control system struggled to maintain a comfortable temperature, particularly when the automatic engine stop/start system was active.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, featuring Bluetooth, USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's layout was intuitive, with large icons and fonts, and redundant hard buttons for major functions. The screen's placement allowed for easy use while driving, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems, with the base system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The upgraded system, available on the Activ and RS trims, included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium sound system. The Trailblazer's infotainment interface was praised for its simplicity and intuitive design, with physical controls for essential functions.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue included standard safety features such as a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. It also offered advanced driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with the Convenience Package.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with 10 airbags and Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. Additional safety features, depending on the trim level, included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a high-definition reversing camera. However, some systems, like adaptive cruise control, were noted for being overly reactive in certain situations.