2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Nissan Murano

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 look 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.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior and dash design were conservative but practical, making it a comfort-optimized SUV for commutes and road trips. The Murano's cabin had a restrained styling, ensuring all controls were easily accessible. The trims ranged from the base S with standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen, to the range-topping Platinum with a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and premium leather seats. The Murano's focus on comfort and ease of use made it a practical choice for many drivers.

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 featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, with AWD models getting a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's performance was adequate for most driving conditions, though it struggled on steep inclines and had a firm ride. Fuel economy averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The Trailblazer's driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and a disconnected steering feel.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and available in either FWD or AWD. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration and a comfortable ride, making it ideal for commuting and road trips. However, the CVT could dull the engine's power at higher speeds, requiring a half-second delay for overtaking on the highway. The Murano's towing capacity was 1,500 pounds, lower than many midsize and compact SUVs. Despite this, the Murano's refined driving characteristics and ability to handle corners smoothly made it a pleasant vehicle to drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior had some drawbacks. Cloth seats were only available in the lower trims, while higher trims featured leatherette that could 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, making them less inviting. Cargo space was decent, with 25.3 cubic feet expanding to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo length.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While other two-row SUVs provided more cargo space, the Murano compensated with ease of use and practical storage solutions. The Murano's focus on two rows of seating resulted in ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality. The SL and Platinum trims featured a hands-free power liftgate, adding convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two infotainment system options. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen, dual Bluetooth pairing, 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 offered USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The intuitive interface and physical controls made the system user-friendly.

The 2021 Nissan Murano's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with a sensible menu layout, hard buttons, and dials for easy navigation. It also came with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation. The Murano's infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to access connected smartphone apps and other features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped 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 safety 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 in their performance.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional safety features included a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Murano's comprehensive safety features provided a high level of driver assistance and protection.