2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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, triple front lights similar to the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Kia Soul. The Activ trim 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 drawback at higher price points.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a rugged-looking exterior, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end, making it stand out among compact crossovers. Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, it shared its mechanical foundation with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna. The RAV4 Adventure model added a retro look with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road model featured matte black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, and red interior accents. The interior had functional touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, but material quality did not improve with higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base front-wheel-drive 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). Other versions, including the AWD models, featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Activ AWD’s powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. The 9-speed automatic provided smooth gear changes, and Sport mode enhanced responsiveness. However, the Trailblazer struggled on tight curves and uphill sections, and its fuel economy averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and disconnected on-center steering feel. Suspension impact harshness was an issue, especially over sharp bumps, and the Trailblazer was loud inside.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a “Dynamic Force” 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency and had a high power peak at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feel, making the driving experience less dynamic. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and better fuel economy. On the highway, the RAV4 was quieter, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models had a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, but their off-road capability was limited by shallow approach, departure, and breakover angles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered leatherette seats, which tended to trap sweat, and the automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver, but the rear seats were flat and lacked air conditioning vents. The cargo space expanded from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, and the front passenger seat also folded down for additional cargo length.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a tall, upright roof providing good headroom and outward visibility. However, legroom in both rows was limited. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. The cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, and the wide aperture made loading easier. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were easy to use, but the center-console storage was limited. The RAV4’s styling emulated old-school SUVs, but it lacked large cupholders and storage spaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system had 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 included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, 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, tuning, and navigation.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited model had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime had a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was easy to use, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons, but it wasn’t very flashy. The gasoline RAV4 didn’t have a head-up display, which was available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with standard Chevy Safety Assist, including 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 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. The forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control had some issues, and the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, park assist, and a 360-degree camera system.