2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Lexus NX

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 of our test vehicle 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. However, the presence of hard shiny plastic inside was less justifiable at higher price points.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over familiar design and styling attributes from its family, with sharp design lines that made it look similar to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. The NX F Sport variant, which we tested, featured a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, chrome-trimmed lower bumper, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. The interior of the NX F Sport was upscale, with quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior color scheme. Material fit and finish were excellent, and the gauge cluster featured a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup with 3D displays. However, the center stack design looked dated, and the G-Force meter seemed more gimmicky than functional.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models 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). Higher trims, including the Activ AWD, featured 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 available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. The Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. However, the suspension impact harshness and loud interior noise were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds. The F Sport variant included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX’s adaptive-suspension system provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, though the steering was numb.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s interior had its pros and cons. While the leatherette seats were nice, they tended to trap 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. Cargo space was decent, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo-toting length.

The 2021 Lexus NX’s interior was upscale and comfortable. The front seats offered plenty of room, and the second-row seats provided good legroom for two adults. Heated and ventilated seats were available. The NX had 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. These numbers were among the smallest in its class. The NX also offered a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats.

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 for Activ and RS trims featured 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, and tuning.

The 2021 Lexus NX’s infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system added HomeLink, Lexus Enform Destination Assist, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX also offered a moonroof, heated steering wheel, and Lexus Premium Audio with an eight-speaker stereo system. The Navigation package added two speakers, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system was available on the top-tier NX. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to lock/unlock doors, start the engine, and adjust climate control remotely.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 10 airbags, 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. Optional features included a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were inconsistent during testing.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency assistance, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen-vehicle notification.