Comparing the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer with the Hyundai Tucson
If you’re in the market for a new SUV, we suggest you take a look at the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. It's a brand-new compact crossover that takes the nameplate of a previous Chevrolet model with all similarities ending there.
Chevrolet's introduction of a new compact SUV is in line with the industry's trend, as most car manufacturers are reducing or eliminating their sedan line-ups to steadily add more crossover models.
Despite strife competition, the Trailblazer's design, technology, and standard safety features make it stand out from the crowd.
Today, we’ll compare the Trailblazer with a segment classic, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
First thing's first, let's talk aesthetics.
Inspired by its equally good-looking bigger brother, the Blazer, the 2021 Trailblazer steals the show. Sharp lines and squinty LED headlights that give the car a focused look are more than enough to turn a head or two as you drive the Trailblazer down the road.
The Hyundai Tucson is equally sharp. With almost futuristic lines, the grille is somewhere between a Lexus and a Jaguar, which is a very good place to be. Classy and modern, it manages to match Trailblazer's sex appeal, and that's a tall order.
It creates an optical "floating roof" illusion that gives the Trailblazer a cool-chic vibe.
In higher trim levels, the SUV comes in two tones, one for the body and a matching one for the roof.
Interior look and feel
As we've scanned the outside, let's step inside.
That's another area where the Trailblazer shines with its quality of materials and impeccable craftsmanship. From door panels to seats, from the dashboard to the center console, everything looks and feels like a much pricier, premium vehicle.
The Hyundai tries to keep up and manages for the most part but considering it is 25% more expensive than the Trailblazer it won't give future owners that over-delivery rush you get from Chevrolet. The Tucson is expensive, $5,000 extra, and that price difference isn't at all reflected in the quality of the interior.
Time to see what’s under the bonnet
While the Tucson can be equipped with one in two naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder engine, a 2.0-liter and a 2.4-liter, the Trailblazer joins the trend for smaller turbocharged ECOTEC powertrains, with a 1.2-liter for the FWD and a 1.3-liter for the AWD.
The Trailblazer’s engines put out less horsepower on paper than the Tucson’s, but feel punchy and pull well from the lower end, compared to the higher-revving of the Tucson's.
Standard and optional features
Looking at tech, they both offer a long list of options, from 8.0-inch touchscreens, premium audio from Infinity for the Tucson and Bose for the Trailblazer, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth audio streaming, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots.
It's the Trailblazer that again manages to impress because it simply does more for less money.
Considering that when it comes to pricing and standard equipment, the Tucson starts at 23.700$, and the Trailblazer at an outstanding 19.000$, it's game over for the import car.
Chevrolet's aggressive pricing makes it impossible to choose the Hyundai as even going for the best equipped AWD Trailblazer version will keep the price point well below $30.000 while the top of the range Tucson can easily jump the $34.000 mark.
If you want to see what the fuss is all about, visit us at O'Neill's Chevrolet Buick in Avon, CT and our dedicated sales team will gladly show you the 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer in all its trim and available colors.
Visit us today to see one of the best-priced crossovers on the market.
