2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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 look with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. Priced at $30,580, it came with 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, although the presence of hard shiny plastic was a downside at higher price points.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a luxurious SUV that shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but stood out with its unique design and features. Priced at $92,000, the Navigator Reserve exuded elegance and understatement, despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. The interior was impressive, with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were high-quality, and the panel gaps were tight, making the Navigator feel refined and luxurious.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options. The base models came with 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 more powerful 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, it had quirks like transmission hesitation in Normal mode and suspension impact harshness over sharp bumps.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. It offered a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the suppleness of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were looser, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior had its pros and cons. Cloth seats were only available in lower trims, while higher trims featured leatherette, which tended to trap sweat. The automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool, especially with the automatic engine stop/start system. 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 them folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo length.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with seating for up to eight passengers. The boxy shape provided generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions, torso bolsters, and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

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 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 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. It lacked features like full-screen maps, high-resolution cameras, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. However, the software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface. The Navigator offered 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came 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. It also had 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 forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were sometimes over- or under-reactive, and the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.