2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. Its design was appealing, featuring dark gray plastic trim around the lower perimeter and borrowing styling cues from the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, such as stacked triple front lights and two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim of the Trailblazer added a rugged touch 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 was well-designed, with a good control layout and useful storage, though it was marred by the presence of hard shiny plastic, which was less acceptable at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a muscular and imposing presence. The new squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, flanked by standard LED headlamps and functional air vents. The exterior colour palette was limited but included two-tone options on the Platinum grade. The interior offered cloth seating surfaces in most grades, with leatherette available in the SV AWD model. The Platinum model boasted semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior's appeal. The Rogue's redesign also improved its aerodynamics, contributing to a lower coefficient of drag.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions, including the Activ AWD, came with a more powerful 1.3-litre 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer's powertrain was generally agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. However, it struggled on tight curves and uphill sections. The Trailblazer averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in fuel economy, slightly below the official rating. The driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation and disconnected steering feel, and the suspension was harsh over bumps.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with direct injection, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine was well-matched to the Rogue's weight, and the CVT was less droning than expected. The Rogue's fuel efficiency was respectable, with ratings of 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway for FWD models. AWD models had slightly higher figures. The Rogue's handling improved significantly with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity, a lower weight, and updated suspension systems, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats in LS and LT trims, while higher trims featured leatherette upholstery. The automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool, affecting comfort. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were less so, with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer's cargo space was competitive, with 716 litres expanding to 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing over 2.5 metres of cargo length.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system added storage space. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and exterior mirrors. The SV trim added a 360-degree camera, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space, expanding to 2,064 litres with the seats folded. The cargo system allowed for a 5 cm floor height adjustment and a vertical cargo separator.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and more. The upgraded system, available on Activ and RS trims, included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for easy use.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade featured a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the digital instrument cluster had readability issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with standard safety features, including 10 airbags and Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The Trailblazer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, enhancing highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in later versions.