2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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, triple front lights similar to the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Kia Soul. The Activ trim added a 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. The interior design was excellent, with a well-thought-out control layout, useful storage, and attractive detailing. However, the presence of hard shiny plastic inside was less justifiable at higher price points.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), showcasing a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners. It was based on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. The ID.4’s interior blended Volkswagen’s minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models had leatherette upholstery. Despite some design quirks, the interior felt spacious, and the forward visibility was good, although rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

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 featured a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, and when equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), a 9-speed automatic transmission replaced the CVT. The Trailblazer Activ AWD’s powertrain was agreeable, with torque kicking in at a low 1,600 rpm. However, the vehicle struggled to gain speed on tight curves and uphill sections. The Trailblazer averaged 26.6 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The driving dynamics had quirks, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and suspension impact harshness over bumps.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4’s RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes and coasting for efficiency.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer’s interior had some drawbacks. Cloth seats were only available in the lower trims, while the leatherette seats in higher trims tended to trap sweat. The automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool, and the rear seats were uncomfortable with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. However, the Trailblazer offered decent cargo space, expanding from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo-toting length.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. It had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than several EV competitors but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), but the interior felt spacious, and forward visibility was good. The center console was narrow, providing limited storage space for larger items, but there were plenty of places to store a phone. The heated steering wheel and front seats were effective in maintaining cabin heat during cold weather.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system had 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 included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization functions. The Trailblazer also featured 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, tuning, and navigation.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4’s standard infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch screen optional), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear, which proved difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system, responding to the prompt “Hello ID,” but it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but was easily forgotten. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came loaded with standard safety features, including 10 airbags, forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. It also had a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and a subscription-based automatic collision notification service. Optional features included a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control was over- and under-reactive, and the lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist were inconsistent. Crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.