2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

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 reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes similar to 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. The interior design was excellent, with a well-thought-out control layout, useful storage, and attractive detailing, although the presence of hard shiny plastic was a downside at higher price points.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro feel that could fit into the Land Rover lineup. It had a short front overhang for a better approach angle and a similarly short rear overhang. The tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were designed for trail driving. The front end echoed the larger Bronco, and bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate announced its name. The interior was tastefully rugged with an uncluttered design, featuring a unique shape for the HVAC vents, convenient storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and multiple trim options for seats and flooring added to its appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models (L, LS, and LT) had 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). Other versions featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, and when equipped with AWD, a 9-speed automatic transmission replaced the CVT. The Activ AWD’s powertrain was agreeable, with torque kicking in at a low 1,600 rpm. The 9-speed automatic provided smooth gear changes, and Sport mode enhanced responsiveness. However, the Trailblazer struggled on tight curves and uphill sections, and its fuel economy averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and a disconnected on-center steering feel. Suspension impact harshness was notable, especially over sharp bumps.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims had a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it had good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pressed hard. The 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the vehicle’s character.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s interior had some drawbacks. Cloth seats were only available in the L and LS trims, limiting options for those who preferred this material. The leatherette seats trapped sweat, and the automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and lacked air conditioning vents. The cargo space was practical, expanding from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo length.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered clever features for active buyers. The cargo space was designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting various gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold had a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might struggle with outward visibility. The seating position could be better for off-road driving.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system had 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 for Activ and RS trims included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization. The Trailblazer also had USB-A and USB-C charging ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The interface was simple and intuitive, with physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and navigation.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system had six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport had a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Higher trims included intelligent access with push-button start, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

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 had a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and automatic collision notification service. Optional features included a blind-spot warning system, 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 inconsistencies, and the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were not always reliable. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included with the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced safety. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.