2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish SUV that balanced between the sleekness of the Evoque and the boxiness of the traditional Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the upright stance of its siblings. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer, was a subcompact SUV with a likable design. It borrowed styling cues from other popular models, such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, with features like stacked triple front lights and two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim added a rugged appearance with skid plate trim, unique wheels, and all-terrain-style tires. The interior boasted excellent design with intuitive controls and useful storage, though it was marred by hard plastic surfaces. Despite its compact size, the Trailblazer offered a roomy cabin, though rear passengers might find the seating less comfortable due to the flat cushion and lack of air conditioning vents.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift towards performance with its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, it wasn't the fastest in its class. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined ride, though it felt large on tight roads. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, though the Velar's road-focused design limited its ruggedness.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a choice between a standard 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and a more powerful 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 155 hp. The latter, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission in AWD models, provided smooth gear changes and adequate power for most driving conditions. The Trailblazer's performance was not about speed but rather practicality, with a focus on fuel efficiency, averaging 26.6 mpg during testing. The SUV's driving dynamics included excellent roll control and nicely weighted steering, though the ride was firm and unfiltered. The Trailblazer excelled on gravel roads but was less suited for serious off-roading. Noise levels inside the cabin were high, making long freeway drives less comfortable.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. Its cargo capacity was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility. The interior felt cramped, with limited legroom and a tall center console. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer provided a practical interior with a focus on functionality. While cloth seats were only available in lower trims, the leatherette upholstery was standard in higher trims. The front seats offered good support, but the rear seats were less comfortable due to their flat design and lack of air conditioning vents. Cargo space was generous, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with them folded. The front passenger seat could also fold down, allowing for longer items to be transported. However, the trunk measurement included space under the cargo floor, which could be misleading.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, offering a range of connectivity options including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's graphics and layout were praised, but its slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though these could reflect sunlight.

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 Bose premium sound system. The interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for easy operation. The Trailblazer also included USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. The Bose sound system effectively masked road noise, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as luxury vehicles like the Velar were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids, with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available as options. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech was less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional options included blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. While the safety tech was extensive, some systems, like adaptive cruise control, were inconsistent in performance. Crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.