Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 exhibited a distinct "Y" trim level strategy, where buyers could start with the standard Luxury trim and upgrade to either the Premium Luxury or Sport trim. Our Premium Luxury test model leaned towards delivering heightened comfort and less sporty aesthetics. With options like front-wheel drive (FWD), striking Silver Radiant metallic paint, sleek 20-inch aluminum wheels, an advanced navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and packages such as Comfort and Convenience, Cold Weather, and Driver Awareness, the vehicle's total cost was $45,660, including a $995 destination charge.

Its crisp, tailored styling, accentuated with the 20-inch wheels, established the XT4 as one of the most visually appealing Cadillac crossovers. Despite an excessive front overhang due to the front-drive platform, the vehicle maintained proper proportions. Inside, material quality was generally competitive, although the plain black trim around the power window controls fell short of luxury expectations. However, this was a common shortfall among small luxury SUVs.

By comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer adopted its stylish cues from the larger Blazer, making it instantly appealing with features such as dark gray plastic trim around the lower perimeter, Hyundai Kona-like stacked triple front lights, and Kia Soul-inspired two-tone paint schemes. Our Activ trim test vehicle enhanced its 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.

Equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) and incorporating the Convenience, Technology, and Driver Confidence option packages, the Trailblazer Activ had a price tag of $30,580, inclusive of a $995 destination charge. The Mosaic Black paint combined with a Summit White roof and Jet Black leatherette seats with Arizona (bronze) cabin accents created an attractive look.

Interior design in the Trailblazer was excellent, featuring intuitive control layouts and useful storage. The white-stitched, charcoal-colored cloth on the door panels and seat accents added a Volvo-like touch. However, plenty of hard shiny plastic inside detracted from its upscale feel, which was harder to justify as the cost climbed past $30,000.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a robust turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, available between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission driving the front or all four wheels, delivered an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in FWD configuration. Our test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg.

The XT4's lively driving character stemmed from its significant torque, though the FWD setup occasionally experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic offered smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift when pressing the accelerator, even in Sport mode. To address delayed downshifts, drivers could use the paddle shifters, though their effectiveness was barely perceivable. Moreover, noise isolation from the engine and road was less than ideal, and the 20-inch wheels transmitted road noise into the cabin, which diminished the luxury experience.

Steering varied between good feedback in Tour mode and artificially heavy sensations in Sport mode. The suspension's standard setup struggled with speed bumps and exhibited excess body movement on spirited drives while failing to soak up smaller bumps adequately, partly due to the oversized tires.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque for the FWD L, LS, and LT trims. The more powerful turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, available with AWD, delivered 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The AWD models replaced the CVT with a nine-speed automatic transmission that offered smooth, fast gear changes during part-throttle acceleration, enhancing the Trailblazer's overall drivability. Sport mode further improved responsiveness.

While the Trailblazer managed well under most conditions, it was not a powerhouse, struggling a bit on steep inclines. However, turbocharging benefited the vehicle at higher altitudes, such as in Denver. During our tests, the Trailblazer Activ AWD returned 26.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 28 mpg.

In terms of ride dynamics, the Trailblazer featured excellent roll control, balanced steering, and effective brakes but had a firm and sometimes harsh ride, especially over bumps and holes. The vehicle’s AWD system effectively reduced front-wheel torque steer but added to the overall vehicle noise.

Inside the 2020 Cadillac XT4, driver and front passenger comfort was prioritized, with soft leather seats, densely padded armrests, padded center console sides, and climate-controlled seating. The heated back seats and rear air conditioning vents increased rear passenger comfort, even though the rear seat cushion lacked adequate support.

The XT4's air conditioning was notably effective, cooling the cabin rapidly during a heatwave. The climate controls featured a sophisticated design beneath the infotainment screen. The interior also boasted substantial storage options, from umbrella holders to a clever wireless smartphone charger. Cargo space totaled 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and a hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s interior offered a mix of leatherette upholstery and ample space. However, the leatherette material could get uncomfortable over time, and the automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool, particularly with the automatic engine stop/start system.

Front seats were decent with good support and adjustability, though the front passenger seat could use a height adjustment. The rear seat, while spacious, had a flat cushion and an odd backrest recline, making them less comfortable, especially without rear air conditioning vents. On the bright side, folding the rear seats created a flat cargo floor, increasing cargo space from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet. Additionally, the front passenger seat folded down for even more cargo length if needed.

Cadillac's latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system in the 2020 XT4 was much improved, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing. Interaction options included a touchscreen, center console controls, and a voice-recognition system. Despite its user-friendly interface, the system’s 8-inch display felt small for a luxury vehicle. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided excellent sound quality.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment system options—one with a 7-inch display and the other with an 8-inch screen for higher trims. Both systems included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Chevrolet Connected Access services, while the upgraded system added wireless functionality and cloud-connected personalization. Additional features included USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. The interface was straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to operate without needing to reference the manual.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 came equipped with a suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat system. Upgrading to the Premium Luxury trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change warning. The Driver Awareness Package further included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. For advanced features like adaptive cruise control and rear pedestrian alert, additional packages were necessary. The XT4 received a 5-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer also featured an extensive list of safety technologies, such as forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. The inclusion of a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and automatic collision notification further enhanced safety. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. Although some safety systems were inconsistent, the Trailblazer offered a comprehensive safety suite, even if authoritative crash-test ratings were not yet available.