2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used facial recognition to adjust settings and alert distracted drivers.

The Outback was offered in seven trims, starting with the 2.5i at an MSRP of $26,645, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added blind-spot monitoring, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, featured ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine, heated rear seats, and off-road capabilities. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims added the turbo engine for $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer, was a stylish subcompact SUV. It featured dark gray plastic trim, stacked triple front lights, and two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim, tested here, had a rugged appearance with skid plate trim, unique 17-inch wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. Equipped with AWD and several option packages, the Trailblazer Activ was priced at $30,580. It had Mosaic Black paint, a Summit White roof, and Jet Black leatherette seats with Arizona accents.

The interior design was excellent, with a well-laid-out control system and useful storage. The white-stitched charcoal-colored cloth on the door panels and seats added a touch of elegance. However, the abundance of hard shiny plastic was less appealing, especially at higher price points. A matte finish would have been more appropriate.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019. This engine offered 26 mpg city and 33 highway, a 1 mpg improvement. For more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, reducing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system was active all the time, providing consistent power delivery and reducing wear on components. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle off-road conditions, though it wasn’t a Jeep. The Onyx XT trim’s upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine in front-wheel-drive models, producing 137 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions had a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 hp and 174 pound-feet of torque, and AWD models featured a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Activ AWD’s powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. The 9-speed automatic provided smooth gear changes, and Sport mode improved responsiveness.

The Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. It handled well but wasn’t designed for rapid acceleration. The transmission hesitated in Normal mode but performed better in Sport mode. The suspension was firm, and the ride could be harsh over bumps. The Trailblazer Activ was best suited for gravel roads rather than serious off-roading. The interior was noisy, making the Buick Encore GX a quieter alternative.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered the functional benefits of a station wagon, with ample room for passengers and cargo. It provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger interior space. The Outback’s design allowed for excellent visibility, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot. The interior was spacious, with enough room for a 6’4” driver to sit comfortably in both the front and rear seats.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s interior had its pros and cons. Cloth seats were only available in the L and LS trims, limiting options for those who preferred this material. The leatherette seats in the Activ trim were less comfortable, especially with the climate control system struggling to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were adjustable and supportive, but the rear seats were flat and uncomfortable, with no air conditioning vents. The cargo space was 25.3 cubic feet, expandable to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo length.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from lag, affecting various functions like navigation and volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the system had potential if Subaru addressed the lag and camera quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The standard system had a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Teen Driver technology, and a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system, available in Activ and RS trims, featured an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and cloud-connected personalization. The Trailblazer also had USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a 7-speaker Bose sound system. The interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and tuning.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently alerting drivers unnecessarily. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off. Despite these issues, the Outback’s safety features were impressive for the price.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and a subscription-based collision notification service. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The safety systems had some inconsistencies, but overall, the Trailblazer was well-equipped.