2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more stylish and dynamic look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale and timeless aesthetic. The Tiguan's design was understated but elegant, ensuring it would age well. Inside, the Tiguan provided a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for passengers, including an optional third-row seat. The cabin combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it did have some hard plastics that detracted from its overall premium feel.

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, producing 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, was underpowered and noisy, making it a poor fit for the Blazer's sporty persona. 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 on the RS trim, offering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, which made the Blazer feel strong and agile. However, the transmission calibration had issues, particularly in Sport mode, where it was slow to respond and lacked paddle shifters for manual control. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4Motion AWD system was available as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. While the engine provided adequate performance, it suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when extra power was needed. The Tiguan's fuel economy was slightly better than the Blazer's, with the FWD model achieving 25 mpg combined and the AWD model 24 mpg combined. During testing, the AWD Tiguan averaged 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. The low roof height did not impact interior space, thanks to seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the Blazer's design, though large side-view mirrors and an optional rear-view mirror camera helped improve visibility. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. It could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and trailering package. The Blazer featured simple and handy controls, such as movable rings around the front air vents for temperature adjustment and a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments and excellent outward visibility. The back seat provided generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger configurations, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Tiguan also featured a large panoramic sunroof and various storage compartments, though storage space was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added features like wireless phone charging, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system included navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Driver assists were standard on most trims, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB) platform called MIB3, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Tiguan's MIB3 system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system was underwhelming. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer scored an overall five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and received top "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all crash tests. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. The Blazer included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims with the Driver Confidence II package.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to high-performing LED headlights.