2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Kia EV6

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, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul. The Activ trim 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. Our test model, priced at $30,580, 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-laid-out control system and useful storage, though it did have some hard shiny plastic that felt out of place at higher price points.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was a sportier and more svelte vehicle, visually lower and wider than its competitors. It featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, wheels stretched to the chassis corners, and voluptuous curves similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was blade-sharp with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. Our test car's matte silver paint added to its smooth and silken look. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and black and white seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and a hockey-puck shifter added to the futuristic feel, making the EV6 enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base 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). Higher trims, including the Activ AWD, 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 kicking in at a low 1,600 rpm and available up 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 suspension impact harshness and loud interior noise were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, tested with two electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled corners like a getaway car. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 horsepower and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6's dual-motor system provided seamless torque distribution, and the regenerative braking offered more than eight settings for deceleration control. However, the driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer's interior had its pros and cons. Cloth seats were only available in the base trims, while higher trims featured leatherette that 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 expanding to 54.4 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo length.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and air vents. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height reduced practicality. The EV6 also featured innovative functions like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shared a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving.

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 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, and tuning.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was similar to other Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models, offering simplicity and connectivity. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 also featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo, remote parking system, and various driver assistance technologies. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 10 airbags, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Additional options included blind-spot warning, 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 were inconsistent in performance.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but offered impressive standard safety tech. The HDA system included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with machine learning.