2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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 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, although the presence of hard shiny plastic was a downside, especially at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not emulating its rivals' styles. It adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. The interior was equally impressive, with soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a piano button shifter. The Aviator's cabin exuded comfort and warmth, with features like soothing chimes for alerts and a well-laid-out button shifter. The various trims offered a range of luxurious features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to massaging front seats and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system in the Black Label Grand Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models (L, LS, and LT) 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). Other versions, including the Activ AWD, had a more powerful turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with 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 Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. However, it had quirks like transmission hesitation in Normal mode and a firm ride that required extra care over bumps.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. The Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings but struggled in tight city spaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior had its pros and cons. While the leatherette seats were decent, 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 less so, with a flat cushion and an oddly reclined backrest. The lack of rear air conditioning vents added to the discomfort. However, the Trailblazer offered practical cargo space, 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-toting length.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided ample cargo space, with 18.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, was the highlight, featuring captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The power-button door releases were a unique feature, though their functionality in case of a battery failure was a concern.

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 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 interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for power, volume, and tuning. The Bose premium sound system effectively drowned out road noise.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen was more natural compared to the Explorer's tall layout. The system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls in the center stack. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated, taking up the entire screen with large icons. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics and muted colors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was loaded with 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, depending on the trim level, 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 in their performance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard safety features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. These features worked seamlessly and were not over-intrusive. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.