2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and aggressive front end with thin lights and a tall, black grille gave it a distinctive look. The Blazer's design was further enhanced by sawblade 20-inch wheels and a low shoulder height, which contributed to its sporty appearance. However, the interior did not match the exterior's boldness. The cabin felt low-rent, with featureless and unsupportive seats, downmarket plastic materials, and an undersized central screen. Despite its $48,000 as-tested price, the Blazer's interior quality lagged behind competitors like the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy and Toyota Venza Limited.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, showcased a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The interior design blended Volkswagen's trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, using piano black and matte plastic materials. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1St Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility despite the steeply-raked windshield, although rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The base 2.5-liter inline-four engine, found in the L and 1LT trims, produced 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque but was underpowered and noisy. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, standard on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims, delivered 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, providing acceptable performance. The preferred engine was the 3.6-liter V6, available on the RS trim, which produced 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim also featured a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering, along with a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle for improved handling. However, the transmission's slow responses and convoluted manual mode detracted from the overall driving experience. The AWD V6 drivetrain had an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup provided balanced handling and instantaneous torque for quick acceleration. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, increasing power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While the ID.4 was not a sporty vehicle, it offered a smooth ride and performed reasonably well on twisty roads with the AWD setup. Unlike many electric cars, the ID.4 did not support one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes for deceleration. Volkswagen's decision to prioritize coasting efficiency and provide a familiar driving experience for those transitioning from gasoline cars was evident in the ID.4's design.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. The low roof height did not impact interior space, as the seats were mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the vehicle's design, though large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view mirror cameras helped mitigate this issue. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. Equipped with the trailering package, AWD, and the V6 engine, the Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds. Interior controls were user-friendly, with features like movable rings around the front air vents serving as temperature dials and a Chevy logo projected on the ground for hands-free power tailgate operation. The infotainment system was fast and easy to use, with options for a power tilt/telescope steering wheel and rear heated seats on upper trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious from the driver's seat, with good forward visibility despite the steeply-raked windshield. However, rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, more than competitors like the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Kona Electric but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), as VW prioritized cabin space. The interior featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, although the console itself was narrow and close to the floor. Standard features included a heated steering wheel and front seats, which proved effective in cold weather. The seats had good cushioning, but the driver's seat lacked thigh support, leading to an uncomfortable sitting position.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, which was quick and easy to use. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added wireless phone charging, a washer for the rear camera, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system offered navigation with traffic, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and better voice recognition. Unique GM features included the ability to upload settings to a GM cloud account and the Marketplace app for contactless payments. Standard driver assists on most trims included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch screen optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system, which responded to the prompt "Hello ID" and allowed for easy adjustments. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver through color changes and flashing lights. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer received an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" ratings in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag, but the Blazer lacked an inboard side airbag and rear emergency braking. Enhanced forward emergency braking, using radar in addition to a camera, was available on top trims with the Driver Confidence II package.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. The AWD model had not been tested by the NHTSA. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.