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Starting at
Starting at
| 137 - 155 | Horsepower (HP) | 122 |
| 162 - 174 | Torque (lb-ft) | 114 |
| 54.4 | Max Cargo Space (cu.ft) | 32.3 |
Just a few years ago we saw the return of the Chevy Blazer. Admittingly here at DePaula Chevy, we were pretty excited about that return, because the Blazer is one of those historical Chevy titles that have been around for decades, so seeing it brought back just felt right. One of the trims of the Blazer was named "Trailblazer" and eventually became so popular it was spun out into its own model line. Well, with the return of the Blazer, Chevy decided to bring back the Trailblazer as well. 2021 marks the official model release of the all-new Trailblazer. It has been gone for a few years now, and the crossover market has only intensified, so if you're considering such a vehicle, you'll want to compare it with other crossovers out there. The Nissan Kicks is one you'll want to compare it to. To help you out, here is a rundown on the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer vs 2020 Nissan Kicks to help you determine which is the best crossover for you.
The price point for the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer starts at $19,995 for the base trim. It also has five total trim options, with the top RS trim running $26,395. The Nissan Kicks doesn't give you as many options to choose from with only three trims. The first trim is the base S trim, which has a starting MSRP of $18,870. The top trim is the SR, which runs $21,120. There is a difference in top-trim pricing by about $5,000, but Nissan doesn't give you a ton of added features, so, as you'll find out, you're getting your money's worth from the Trailblazer trim upgrades.
Before we fully kick off this part of the comparison, we want to point out that Chevy has not fully released all the details regarding the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. Due to this, there will be a few specifics we just don't know about quite yet, like fuel economy. Don't worry; those numbers are coming quickly as the Trailblazer will be for sale before you know it. Just hang tight on those numbers. We'll let you know when that information is available.
As for the engines, with the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, you will have two engine options, while the 2020 Nissan Kicks comes with one. The base engine on the Trailblazer is a 1.2L I3 Turbo. This engine produces 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. While we don't know the fuel economy, we're going to assume it is rather good for a smaller crossover. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive drivetrain on the Trailblazer, you will also land a slightly larger 1.3L I3 Turbo engine. This boost in size increases performance, taking you to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, uses a single 1.6L I4 engine that will give you 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. It's an incredibly under-performing engine that can't even match the base 1.2L I3 Turbo on the Trailblazer.
It's worth going over the drivetrain for these two vehicles. With the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, you can purchase it as either a front-wheel-drive vehicle or an all-wheel-drive version. When living on the east coast, you know first hand just how bad the roads can get, and that all-wheel-drive design really can help improve stability and traction control. The 2020 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, only comes as a front-wheel-drive design. There is no alternative drivetrain option.
We are just now starting to receive information about the kind of entertainment features the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will receive. Starting with the base L trim, you will receive a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 hardware. This hardware is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. All trims will also come with standard 4G LTE. This not only makes it possible to stream your favorite applications while on the go, but you will also be able to connect with your vehicle via a smartphone app. This way, whether you need to lock your car, check how much fuel is in the car when you are not in it, or perhaps you need to pull off and perform some last-minute work via Wi-Fi, it is possible to do all of this with the Trailblazer. Some models will also come with available wireless charging. So instead of fumbling around with cords and chargers, all you need to do is place your wireless charging supported phone onto the pad to charge while you drive.
What about the 2020 Nissan Kicks? Well, the system does offer you a 7-inch touchscreen display. The base model does not support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, though. For that, you'll need to upgrade to the SV trim (the middle trim). By upgrading to the middle trim, you will be paying more than the base Trailblazer, just to receive similar features.
The SV trim uses the Nissan Connect infotainment system that does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it does not have wireless charging, nor does it have Wi-Fi available. In fact, none of the Nissan Kicks offers a 4G LTE hotspot feature. This means you won't be able to do anything close to what you can do with the Trailblazer. Yes, you can upgrade to include a Bose audio sound system, and there are some smartphone compatibility features via Bluetooth, but for Bluetooth to work, you'll need to be within range of your car.
In terms of entertainment features, the 2020 Nissan Kicks simply can't compete with what you receive in the Trailblazer.
Even when you are looking for a small crossover, you likely still want a bit of cargo room. More cargo room allows for travelling with more luggage without having to cram bags by passenger's legs. Plus, more cargo space means there is more overall space in the vehicle, which ultimately relays to comfort.
With the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, the rear cargo hold of the SUV will net you 25.3 cu.ft of space. Should you fold down the back row, the cargo space increases to 54.4 cu.ft. While we don't yet have all the legroom measurements for the Trailblazer, the fact that the max cargo increases by almost 30 cu.ft. by folding the seats down, tells us that this is a very roomy vehicle.
As for the 2020 Nissan Kicks, you will have 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up. However, that number only increases to 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row down. That shows you two things. First, the Trailblazer max cargo space will give you over 20 cubic feet of more room. And second, overall, there is more comfort room in the Trailblazer.
Staying safe in a vehicle is extremely important. If you cannot get to your destination safely, there is no point in travelling. With the latest improvements and inventions in technology, vehicles are now safer than they ever have been before. What types of features do the Trailblazer and Kicks have? Let's find out.
While all of the information on the Trailblazer has not been released, we do have some of the safety features that will be used in this new vehicle. Some of these features will include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, pedestrian braking, automated emergency braking, and other great features.
The base 2020 Nissan Kicks comes standard with brake assist, child safety locks, blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control, traction control, and lane departure warning. However, one thing to keep in mind is the Kicks uses rear drum brakes. Drum brakes are inferior to disc brakes. Disc brakes perform better, and drum brakes can overheat and warp, which does not sound safe. It seems the Trailblazer is just a more safe vehicle.
Upfront, you'll see the Nissan Kicks has a slightly lower entry price point. However, all of that falls by the wayside as you begin to compare the two models. You'll find the Trailblazer's base engine outperforms the Kicks. If you want all-wheel-drive, the Trailblazer is your only option. Plus, the Kicks rear cargo space can't even come close to what you get with the Trailblazer.
If you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in the Kicks, you'll end up spending more than you would for the base Trailblazer, which already provides those luxuries. When stacking the two vehicles up against one another, there simply isn't any comparison. The Trailblazer will be here at DePaula Chevy in Albany, NY, before you know it, so if you're searching for that perfect smaller crossover SUV, keep it right here with DePaula Chevy. We'll let you know the moment the Trailblazer hits our lot.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
