2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

In 2021, the Chevrolet Blazer aimed to evoke strong visual reactions with its bold and aggressive styling reminiscent of high-end luxury vehicles. The wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, sawblade 20-inch wheels, and an angry front end with thin lights and a tall, black grille set the Blazer apart from the usual Chevrolet lineup. This sleek design was so striking that it prompted comparisons to the Lamborghini Urus, a high compliment for a mid-range SUV. Chevrolet encompassed some of the aesthetic excitement of the Camaro, including its snarling face and muscular body, and packaged it into a more family-friendly SUV form. The Blazer's rear aesthetics, with 3D-effect taillights and a short but stylish tail, added to its striking appearance, ensuring it turned heads from every angle.

However, the interior of the Blazer didn’t maintain the same high standards as its exterior. Predominantly dark and somewhat uninspiring, the cabin featured featureless and unsupportive seats, and materials that seemed substandard for the vehicle's price range. Even with a $48,000 price tag for the RS trim, buyers received an interior that felt dated, with poor quality plastics and an undersized central screen. Higher trims like the Premier, which could exceed $52,000, didn’t fare much better. Competing models such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy, Nissan Murano Premium, and Toyota Venza Limited offered more in terms of interior quality and design for similar or lower prices.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once considered ahead of its time but had since aligned with contemporary styling norms by 2021. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were now standard fare in car design. The Murano’s interior adopted a more conservative approach, optimizing for comfort rather than sportiness. This design philosophy translated to a well-organized cabin where all controls were conveniently placed, making the SUV an excellent option for commutes and road trips.

Murano's trim levels—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—offered various features with each upgrade. The base S trim came well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto housed in an 8-inch touchscreen, maintaining ease-of-use with sensible menus and physical buttons. Higher trims like the SL and Platinum piled on premium features such as leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, and a Bose premium stereo system. Despite the muted evolution of its exterior, the Murano's interior was well-tailored for convenience and comfort.

When it came to performance, the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered multiple engine choices, though it was best to avoid the base 2.5-liter inline-four engine available in the L and 1LT trims. This engine produced a modest 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, making it feel underpowered and noisy. More suitable for the Blazer’s ethos was the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque—providing a much more acceptable performance.

However, the star of the Blazer lineup was undoubtedly the 3.6-liter V6 engine available in the RS trim, cranking out 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered impressive power and responsiveness, allowing the RS to feel agile despite its hefty weight of approximately 4,246 pounds. The RS trim came with sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering, enhancing the driving dynamics and making it one of the best-handling SUVs in its segment. Unfortunately, the transmission didn't match the potency of the chassis and powertrain, suffering from sluggish downshifts and a convoluted manual mode with no paddle shifters. Fuel economy varied based on the drivetrain, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, meanwhile, offered a single 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims. This powertrain delivered a solid 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Murano's engine provided good low-speed acceleration and performed well in urban settings, although the CVT lagged somewhat at higher speeds, making overtaking a more deliberate process. Prioritizing comfort, the Murano excelled as a commuting and road trip vehicle, offering a refined ride quality.

In terms of towing, the Murano fell short compared to the Blazer. Its 1,500-pound towing capacity was one of the lowest in the midsize SUV category, which even some compact SUVs could surpass. The 2021 Blazer, especially with its trailering package, AWD, and V6, could tow up to 4,500 pounds, making it a more versatile choice for those needing to haul trailers or large payloads.

Inside, the 2021 Chevy Blazer offered a seating arrangement better suited for four passengers rather than five. The low roofline didn't compromise headroom thanks to the lower seating positions, and stepping in and out was hassle-free. However, sightlines were compromised due to the sleek exterior design, a common issue with cars mimicking high-end luxury designs. This issue was mitigated by large side-view mirrors and an optional rear-view mirror camera, which significantly improved visibility.

Cargo space in the Blazer was adequate but not exceptional. It provided 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with the seats in use, similar to the smaller Chevrolet Equinox. While this might be enough for general use, competitors like the Nissan Murano offered more cargo capacity with 67 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded down and 32.1 cubic feet when they were in use.

The 2021 Nissan Murano excelled in maximizing interior space and comfort. Instead of forcing in three rows, it focused on two spacious rows, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats even had partial reclining functionality, adding to passenger comfort. Although it lagged behind in total cargo space compared to some competitors, the Murano’s layout was highly user-friendly. The vehicle featured a traditional shifter design and an intuitive center console with plenty of trays and cubbies to accommodate various personal items.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were particular highlights, offering seamless connectivity without the hassle of cables. The RS trim boasted additional features with the Driver Confidence II package, including wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrated to warn the driver of potential hazards subtly.

Optional technology added even more versatility. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system incorporated navigation, 4G Wi-Fi, voice recognition, and app compatibility, ensuring drivers were well-connected and informed. Unique to GM were features like cloud storage for driver settings and onboard app purchases, which added a modern touch to the Blazer’s tech accommodations.

The 2021 Nissan Murano matched the Blazer with its user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Users appreciated the physical buttons and dials flanking the screen, providing an easy way to navigate the system and access smartphone apps.

Higher trims introduced an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and integrated navigation, providing a more enriched audio and navigation experience. Despite the absence of GM's innovative tech features, the Murano’s infotainment was practical and functional, catering well to the average consumer's needs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer performed well in safety assessments, earning an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The vehicle scored well in all crash tests, though it received four stars for the front passenger crash test and the rollover test. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Blazer "Good" ratings in all crash tests, the vehicle's headlights were rated either "Marginal" or "Poor."

Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking with radar and camera systems. However, it lacked some advanced features like a rear emergency braking system and inboard side airbags between the driver and passenger seats, which were notable omissions at its price point.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came equipped with an impressive suite of standard driver assistance features as part of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 package. This included newly standard features for 2021 such as reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Additional safety features were available in higher trims, including a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors. This comprehensive safety suite made the Murano a compelling choice for safety-conscious buyers.