2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Buick Enclave

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, stacked 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 2021 Buick Enclave, a large and impressive SUV, harkened back to Buick's glory days while addressing modern consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, with a price range from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. Competing with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced luxury models, the Enclave had a premium look, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. The soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats added a sense of luxury, though the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple and elegant, except for the fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models featured a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Higher trims, including the AWD versions, had a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Activ AWD's powertrain was agreeable, with torque kicking in at a low 1,600 rpm and available up 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. However, the vehicle exhibited quirks such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and a firm but unfiltered ride. Suspension impact harshness was notable, especially over sharp bumps, and the Trailblazer was loud inside.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic provided seamless shifts, and the FWD model allowed for momentary tire spin before traction control intervened. Our $57,090 test vehicle included the Avenir Technology Package, which added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking. The suspension performed exceptionally well across various driving conditions, and the Enclave averaged 21.2 mpg on the testing loop, matching the EPA rating. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive, though the steering response could be quicker.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats only in the L and LS trims, limiting the availability of this material with the more powerful engine or AWD. The leatherette seats were comfortable but tended to trap sweat, and the automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats provided good support, but the rear seats were less comfortable, with a flat cushion and an oddly reclined backrest. The lack of rear air conditioning vents added to the discomfort. On the positive side, the flat rear seat cushion translated into a flatter cargo floor when folded down, expanding the cargo space from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo-toting length.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six people (seven if needed). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and a basic massaging function, while the front passenger seat had 10-way power adjustment and matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The center console was stylish and functional, with storage under the transmission shifter and in a bin beneath the center armrest. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with commendable room and easy access through the large rear doors. The cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen, simultaneous 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 for the Activ and RS trims featured an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization functions. 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 Bose sound system effectively drowned out road noise and wind.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment technology met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. The Buick Infotainment System responded quickly to inputs, had good voice recognition, and featured a simple and logical user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was also less impressive compared to competitors. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave, enhancing visibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came loaded with standard safety features, including 10 airbags and Chevy Safety Assist, which encompassed forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and a subscription-based automatic collision notification service. Depending on the trim level, buyers could opt for a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. However, the forward collision warning system occasionally gave false alerts, and the adaptive cruise control was both over- and under-reactive. The lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent. As of the review's publication, crash-test ratings were not available.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems worked well but were limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. The package also featured a Safety Alert Seat. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.