Chevrolet Blazer vs Cadillac XT4

Cadillac's 2020 XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle, equipped with Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior, especially with 20-inch alloy wheels, was visually appealing with crisp, tailored styling, though it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin was pleasant with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, particularly in the RS trim, was a head-turner with its dark blue exterior, wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and aggressive front end. The Blazer's styling drew comparisons to the Lamborghini Urus, thanks to its Camaro-inspired design elements. The Blazer's exterior was designed to impress from every angle, with features like 3D-effect taillights and a low shoulder height. Customization options were plentiful, with various grille designs and packages like the Redline and Midnight/Sport editions. However, the interior was a letdown, with an all-black cabin unless paired with specific exterior colors, featureless and unsupportive seats, and downmarket materials that didn't justify the $48,000 as-tested price.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-rated 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, though the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, albeit less frequently, in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, though the oversized wheels offered impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engines: a 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The V6, standard on the RS trim, provided a strong and light driving experience, with a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering. The RS trim also featured a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle for better power distribution. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow downshifts in Sport mode and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior offered comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment was roomy, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, rapidly cooling the interior during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer seated four comfortably, with seats mounted lower into the floor for easy entry and exit. However, sightlines were poor due to the low roof height, though large side-view mirrors and an optional rear-view mirror camera improved visibility. The Blazer offered 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded and 30 cubic feet with the seat raised. The Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the trailering package, AWD, and V6 engine. Controls were user-friendly, with features like movable rings around the front air vents for temperature adjustment and a Chevy logo projected on the ground for hands-free tailgate operation. The infotainment system was fast and easy to use, with options for a power tilt/telescope steering wheel and rear heated seats.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked features like a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, which was quick and easy to use. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added wireless phone charging, a rear camera washer, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system included navigation with traffic, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, better voice recognition, and the ability to pair two phones at once. Unique GM features included uploading settings to a GM cloud account, an app store for easy downloads and updates, and the Marketplace app for contactless payments. Driver assists like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams were standard on most trims.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat to its standard equipment. The XT4 also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer scored an overall five stars from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, though it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. A driver's knee airbag was standard, but the Blazer lacked an inboard side airbag and rear emergency braking. The enhanced forward emergency braking used radar in addition to the camera for more accurate collision detection, available on top trims with the Driver Confidence II package.