2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. It featured a stylish design with dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona’s stacked triple front lights and the Kia Soul’s two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted an excellent design with a well-organized control layout and useful storage, though it was marred by hard shiny plastic that felt out of place at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a unique appearance while borrowing some styling elements from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The Sport Prestige model added character with big vents, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, though base models had leatherette seats.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. More powerful versions featured a 1.3-liter engine with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, and AWD models swapped the CVT for a 9-speed automatic. The Trailblazer's powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. It averaged 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The SUV exhibited quirks like disconnected steering feel and suspension impact harshness, making it less suitable for rapid driving or off-roading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included features like launch control and a Sport+ drive mode for a sportier experience. However, the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, though the ride was firm even in Comfort mode.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered leatherette seats, which could trap sweat, and an automatic climate control system that struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and lacked air conditioning vents. Cargo space was competitive, with 25.3 cubic feet expanding to 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down for additional cargo length.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered and featured heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems, with the upgraded version featuring an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for easy use. The Bose system effectively drowned out road noise.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The infotainment system had a tile-based layout and a glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key, fingerprint scanner, and advanced rear-seat monitors. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation and other features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with standard safety features like forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered optional features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the systems were sometimes inconsistent, and crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The system performed well on highways, though lane-centering struggled with curves. Crash-test ratings were not available.