2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, offered a straightforward approach to crossover design. Equipped with a single engine and transmission choice, consumers could opt for either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). An SL trim model configured with front-drive, SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit came to around $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge.

Despite its age, the Rogue’s aesthetics managed to stay relevant. The bold V-Motion grille and pronounced fender flares were distinctive, although their exaggerated look might have been too much for some. However, the SL trim's 19-inch aluminum wheels added a touch of elegance to the overall design.

Opening the Rogue's door revealed its age more significantly. The waterfall control panel and round forms were reminiscent of older styling trends, contrasting starkly with the modern horizontal and angular designs in newer models. Plastics used in the interior were less impressive. Yet, it offered thoughtful touches like padded sides on the center console for driver comfort.

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer borrowed its design cues from the larger Blazer, resulting in an attractive, compact SUV. The rugged styling included dark gray plastic trim around the lower perimeter and elements borrowed from the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, like stacked front lights and optional two-tone paint.

The Activ trim of the Trailblazer stood out with its rugged aesthetic, integrating front and rear skid plate trims, distinctive 17-inch aluminum wheels with multi-purpose tires, and a larger grille. Two-tone paint options and stylish interior accents further enhanced its appeal. Our test configuration, priced at $30,580 including a $995 destination charge, featured Mosaic Black paint with a Summit White roof and Jet Black leatherette seats.

Inside, the Trailblazer’s design was praiseworthy. Control layouts and detailing were intuitive, and the charcoal-colored cloth accents evoked a sense of higher craftsmanship, similar to what you might find in a Volvo. However, the presence of hard shiny plastics diminished the sense of luxury as the vehicle's price approached $30,000. A matte finish would have served better in masking the inexpensive feel.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a sole powertrain: a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Rogue’s powertrain managed to be acceptable but hardly thrilling, especially given the vehicle's weight of up to 3,671 pounds. While the CVT did well to make the most of the engine’s potential, instances like freeway merging or uphill climbs exposed the powertrain’s limits, typically resulting in more noise than action.

Despite the EPA's claim of 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD models, our tests returned a disappointing 24.9 mpg, even with ample freeway driving. Ride and handling were areas where the Rogue could be commendable. Thanks to Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, it managed cornering and ride comfort better than expected. However, its heavy electric steering, lackluster suspension isolation, and CVT drone kept it from being an enjoyable drive.

Switching focus to the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, the standard engine for FWD models was a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder making 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, offered with a CVT. More powerful options included a 155-horsepower, 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 174 pound-feet of torque. Opting for AWD swapped the CVT for a more responsive 9-speed automatic.

The Activ AWD's turbocharged engine proved surprisingly agreeable, delivering low-end torque and smooth shifts via the nine-speed automatic. Sporting a torque peak at 1,600 rpm, it kept power readily available. Although its 155 horsepower wouldn’t make it a drag race champion, it met most driving demands efficiently. Sport mode enhanced responsiveness, aiding in conditions like freeway climbs and mountain grades. Nevertheless, the Trailblazer didn’t encourage aggressive driving, as demonstrated by its 26.6 mpg fuel economy—shy of the EPA rating.

Steering quirks like occasional hesitations before downshifts and inconsistent feel marred the driving experience. Suspension harshness over bumps mandated care, reducing speeds compared to competitors. While semblances of off-road capabilities were present, the Trailblazer Activ was better suited to casual gravel roads rather than serious trails. Additionally, road noise was a notable drawback, suggesting a quieter drive in the Buick Encore GX.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue struggled to accommodate taller or bulkier drivers comfortably. Despite featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs with Optional Quick Comfort heating, the vehicle required a compromise between seat height and legroom. The front seats felt undersized, adding another layer of inconvenience.

Rear passengers fared better, enjoying high seat cushions, excellent thigh support, and a preferable backrest angle. Features like panoramic glass sunroof, rear vents, and USB charging ports contributed to the rear seat’s appeal.

Cargo-wise, the Rogue excelled with 39 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, underfloor storage, and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system. This capacity bested rivals like the Mazda CX-5, making it a practical choice for cargo storage.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a mix of positives and negatives. While only the L and LS trims featured preferred cloth seats, higher trims had leatherette, which trapped sweat despite their 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The front seats provided decent support, but the automatic climate control struggled to cool the cabin effectively, especially when the engine stop/start system engaged.

Rear seating was ample in legroom but fell short in comfort due to flat cushions and awkward backrest angles. Lack of rear air vents further detracted from passenger comfort, exacerbated by inadequate cooling performance.

Cargo capacity in the Trailblazer stood at 25.3 cubic feet, which expanded to 54.4 cubic feet with seats folded flat, thanks to the collapsible cargo floor. The front passenger seat also folded down, extending cargo length to 8.5 feet with the hatch closed.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive list of infotainment features but fell short in usability. Standard elements included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrades introduced SiriusXM radio, navigation, Bose premium audio, and NissanConnect Services with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

However, the 7-inch touchscreen and dated interface technology were frustratingly slow, particularly when zooming maps or using voice commands. This lag reduced the otherwise high tech quotient.

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer had two compelling infotainment systems. The base offered a 7-inch touchscreen, dual Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. An upgraded system added an 8-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and enhanced vehicle personalization.

Trailblazer’s user interface was intuitive, featuring physical knobs and buttons for primary controls, which made using the system a breeze. Available wireless smartphone charging and a 7-speaker Bose premium system further enhanced its appeal, effectively masking road noise.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue included an extensive list of safety features as part of the Safety Shield 360 suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features like Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert were also thoughtful inclusions.

Despite these impressive features, the Rogue’s technology felt dated compared to newer advancements. ProPilot Assist, while forward-thinking initially, had grown less sophisticated. Safety ratings reflected its age, with the Rogue only earning a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA due to poor frontal-impact protection. IIHS testing also revealed shortcomings, particularly in headlight and passenger protection, preventing a Top Safety Pick rating.

For the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, the standard Chevy Safety Assist package featured extensive advanced driver assistance systems like forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Options included adaptive cruise control, high-definition reversing cameras, and more.

However, the Trailblazer’s performance revealed inconsistencies. False positives from forward collision warning, overactive adaptive cruise control, and unreliable lane keeping assist demonstrated room for improvement. At the time of review, crash-test ratings from official safety organizations were pending, leaving some ambiguity about its overall safety prowess.