2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer midsize crossover SUV, was a stylish subcompact vehicle. It featured dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, triple front lights similar to the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Kia Soul. The Activ trim added a rugged appearance with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. Our test vehicle, priced at $30,580, included Mosaic Black paint, a Summit White roof, and Jet Black leatherette seats with Arizona cabin accents. The interior design was excellent, with a well-thought-out control layout, useful storage, and attractive detailing. However, the presence of hard shiny plastic was less acceptable at higher price points.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design. Its curvy, car-like lines and resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup made it a modern family transportation staple. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V started at $26,270, with four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offered a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with AWD as a $1,500 option. The CR-V featured standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger wheels available on higher trims. Fabric seating was standard on lower trims, while leather was available on higher trims. The CR-V also included a retractable moonroof on all but the LX trim and low-profile roof rails on the Touring model.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine in the front-wheel-drive L, LS, and LT trims, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Other versions featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission when equipped with AWD. 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 enhanced responsiveness. The Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The vehicle exhibited excellent roll control, nicely weighted steering, and perfectly calibrated brakes, but had a firm ride and suspension impact harshness over bumps. The Trailblazer Activ was best suited for gravel roads, and the interior was loud on the freeway.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain provided a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The CR-V’s CVT was well-tuned, offering a smooth driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like demeanor was reflected in its excellent road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. The CR-V’s low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. FWD models were rated at 30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced for 2020, offered even higher fuel economy, competing with hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Escape.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats only in the L and LS trims, with leatherette in higher trims. The automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool, and the automatic engine stop/start system affected the AC’s performance. The front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seat was roomy but had a flat cushion and reclined backrest, making it less comfortable. The cargo space expanded from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, and the front passenger seat folded down for additional cargo length.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with good head- and legroom for all passengers. The CR-V’s excellent seating position and low cowl provided great front visibility. The cargo compartment matched the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume, with a two-position load floor for maximizing cargo space or creating a flat floor with the rear seats folded. The CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The center console had a deep well with a sliding cover, and the door pockets were spacious, making the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Teen Driver technology, and Chevrolet Connected Access services with a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system, available on Activ and RS trims, featured an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization. The Trailblazer also offered USB-A and USB-C charging ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment interface was simple and intuitive, with physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and navigation.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age. The base LX trim had a 5-inch screen with limited features, while higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the smartphone apps felt tacked on. The CR-V Touring trim included a wireless phone charger. The CR-V had plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and automatic collision notification service. Optional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control had some issues, and the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent. Crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring were available on EX trims and above. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility. NHTSA issued one safety recall for the 2020 CR-V for a possible rear subframe failure.