2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles. Once a brand known for its grandeur, Buick had faced a decline during the Malaise Era, but the Enclave helped restore its reputation. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave offered a blend of American-made luxury and modern SUV appeal. It was available in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's design was sophisticated, with the Avenir trim adding a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer was a bold statement in exterior styling, drawing comparisons to the Lamborghini Urus with its aggressive design. The Blazer's wedgy profile, slim windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. Chevy borrowed design cues from the Camaro, resulting in a vehicle that looked good from every angle. The Blazer offered customization options with different grille designs and packages like the Redline and Midnight/Sport editions. However, the interior was less impressive, with a low-rent feel and unsupportive seats. The materials used were not up to par with the Blazer's price point, and competitors offered better quality for similar or lower prices. Despite these drawbacks, the Blazer's exterior design left a lasting impression.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, delivering 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's ride was smooth, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially with the Avenir Technology Package. The suspension excelled in various driving conditions, from urban streets to highways. The Enclave's steering and brake response were well-calibrated, though a quicker steering response could have been beneficial. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, with the 3.6-liter V6 on the RS trim being the most desirable. This engine produced 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, providing a sporty driving experience. The RS trim featured a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering, along with a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle for improved handling. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses in Sport mode and a convoluted manual mode. Despite these flaws, the Blazer's chassis was impressive, offering a driving experience reminiscent of a BMW. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was 21 mpg combined, while the turbo inline-four offered better efficiency.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The cabin was designed for serenity, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The Avenir trim provided luxurious seating with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. The low roof height did not compromise interior space, and the seats were mounted lower for easy entry and exit. However, visibility was a challenge due to the design, though large side mirrors and optional rear-view camera systems helped mitigate this issue. Cargo space was 64 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, and the Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the right configuration. The Blazer featured practical controls, like temperature dials integrated into the air vents, and offered conveniences like a hands-free power tailgate and automatic climate controls.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the lack of smart home integration and high-end audio components was noticeable. The Avenir trim offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the rear view. Despite these features, the Enclave's technology offerings were not as competitive as those in other premium SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim added features like wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and a Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included a "Plus" version with navigation, 4G WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Unique features like the Marketplace app for contactless payments and cloud-based settings transfer were available. Most trims included driver assists like forward automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, though the Blazer lacked semi-automated driving functions.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it had a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in the frontal crash and rollover tests. The IIHS rated it "Good" in all crash tests but gave "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. The Blazer included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims. However, it lacked rear emergency braking and some advanced safety features.