2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer exuded a charming design, closely echoing its larger sibling, the Blazer midsize crossover SUV. This subcompact SUV immediately impressed with its likable styling, characterized by dark gray plastic trimming along its lower perimeter, and stacked triple front lights reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona. Similar to the Kia Soul, it offered attractive two-tone paint schemes, making its design instantly appealing.

The tested Trailblazer Activ, priced at $30,580 with options, boasted a rugged aesthetic. This variant featured front and rear skid plate trim for the bumpers, distinctive 17-inch aluminum wheels, and “sport terrain” tires. Its larger grille and standard two-tone paint added to its robust look. The Mosaic Black paint contrasted sharply with the Summit White roof, giving it a bold appearance. Inside, Jet Black leatherette seats accentuated by Arizona bronze cabin details delivered a dash of elegance.

Chevrolet’s interior design of the Trailblazer excelled in multiple aspects. The control layout and displays were user-friendly, and the integration of white-stitched charcoal-colored cloth on the door panels and seats was a classy touch, evoking premium brands like Volvo. However, the abundance of hard, shiny plastic detracted from the overall quality perception, especially at higher price points, suggesting a need for matte finishes to enhance the material quality.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue introduced a more robust and technical design, amplifying its SUV identity. Its dark gray plastic cladding and bold skid plates, along with lower door protection, contributed to its rugged demeanor. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and balanced proportions provided a modern and dynamic aesthetic.

The Rogue’s styling was customized further with optional two-tone paint featuring a black roof. Offered in four trims—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—the Rogue catered to varied tastes and budgets, with the Platinum trim delivering upscale touches like quilted semi-aniline leather and ambient lighting.

The test Rogue SL, priced at $35,195, delivered a luxurious experience with its Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof. The cabin felt spacious and bright, enhanced by abundant soft-touch surfaces and simulated wood trim. Nissan’s logical control arrangement and the airy ambiance underscored the Rogue’s emphasis on comfort and sophistication.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two distinct powertrain options. The base versions employed a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine generating 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in front-wheel-drive models. However, the higher trims, including the tested Activ AWD variant, benefited from a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, switched to a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer's torque-rich engine responded effectively from low rpm, though its power delivery could feel strained on steep inclines or during rapid accelerations. It averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. Despite its rugged appearance, the Trailblazer Activ was better suited for gravel roads rather than challenging off-road trails. The ride comfort was compromised by notable suspension harshness over sharp bumps and noticeable road noise at highway speeds.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue, weighed heavily at 3,500 pounds, relied on a sole engine option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a CVT, delivered adequate performance for daily driving scenarios, though it felt underpowered in more demanding situations. The CVT, enhanced with programmed ratios, mimicked traditional automatics well, creating a more familiar driving experience.

The Rogue excelled in ride and handling, thanks to its robust new architecture and advanced safety systems like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. It also featured Vehicle Motion Control for smooth driving dynamics. Despite the Rogue’s underwhelming engine, its 27.5 mpg fuel economy on varied roads came close to the EPA estimate. However, the promise of future turbocharging hinted at potential performance improvements.

The interior of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer had its hits and misses. The seats, though comfortable in the front, suffered from a lack of effective climate control, leading to discomfort during warmer days. Rear seats, while spacious for legroom, were less inviting due to their flat cushions and reclined backrest. A significant drawback was the absence of rear air conditioning vents.

However, the Trailblazer made up for some shortcomings with its cargo space, offering 25.3 cubic feet of storage which could expand to 54.4 cubic feet by folding the rear seats. Additionally, the front passenger seat folded down to accommodate longer items, extending the cargo length to 8.5 feet.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Nissan Rogue stood out with its Zero Gravity seats designed to simulate weightlessness, significantly reducing fatigue. Available in various trims, these seats could be wrapped in cloth, leatherette, or premium leather, with options for heated front and rear seats. The Rogue provided exceptional rear-seat comfort and accessibility with doors opening nearly 90 degrees for easy loading.

A significant advantage was the Rogue’s advanced climate control systems, with higher trims offering triple-zone automatic climate control including rear AC vents, addressing a key comfort aspect missed by the Trailblazer.

On the cargo front, the Rogue offered 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, expandable to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system in SL and Platinum trims. Its maximum cargo volume of 74.1 cubic feet surpassed the Trailblazer, making the Rogue a more practical choice for carrying larger loads.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured robust technology options across its lineup. The base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims like the Activ boasted an 8-inch display, wireless smartphone integration, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The system's user-friendly interface and physical controls were highlights, facilitating ease of use.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive suite of infotainment features. Starting with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base S trim, it included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and smartphone integration. Higher trims enhanced this with a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, door-to-door navigation, and a Bose premium audio system. Despite some usability issues with the control knobs, the system’s overall functionality and voice recognition were strong points.

For tech enthusiasts, the Platinum trim of the Rogue added advanced features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display, providing a more futuristic and convenient driving experience.

Chevrolet equipped the 2021 Trailblazer with a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Chevy Safety Assist banner. It included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a following distance indicator. Additional available safety features encompassed blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Though the system occasionally showed inconsistencies, it provided a substantial safety net overall.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, focusing heavily on safety, bundled an extensive suite of ADAS under the Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring vital elements like blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, which were often optional on competitors. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist for enhanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

Innovative safety features in the Rogue included rear-seat reminder systems and rear pre-tensioning seatbelts, standardizing family-friendly safety elements across trims. The Rogue aimed to enhance safety through advanced engineering and significant use of high-strength steel, promising solid protection in collisions.