2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs. 2021 Kia Seltos

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS ・ Photo by General Motors

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is an all-new crossover available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive in a range of five trims. It has a comprehensive infotainment system, rugged styling, and a choice of two turbocharged engines.

The 2021 Kia Seltos is also an all-new crossover with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive across a four-trim lineup. It has sleek styling, two engine options, and infotainment that includes key connectivity. These two crossovers are direct competitors, so let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2021 Kia Seltos to see which is the best.

Seating for Five

These are two-row crossovers with seating for up to five people, but these are not full-size SUVs. Two adults will have plenty of room to get comfortable in the rear seats, but three are going to find it a snug fit for all but the shortest rides. The Seltos has reclining rear seats for added comfort with 38.0 inches of legroom and 38.4 inches of headroom.

The Trailblazer has a matching amount of headroom but offers 39.4 inches of legroom. That might not sound like much, but for taller passengers, it’s the difference between being comfortable or having your knees pressed into the backs of the front seats.

Winner: Chevrolet Trailblazer

Photo by General Motors

Comfortable, Attractive Interiors

These are budget-friendly SUVs, so the base trims are minimalist. This includes fabric seating surfaces, manual seat adjustability, and a more economy feel. Move up the trim lineup for either the Kia Seltos or the Chevrolet Trailblazer and you’ll see improved materials with leather or leatherette seating surfaces and power adjustability.

The difference in the two comes down to the quality of the materials. While both are comfortable and attractive, the Trailblazer uses more hard plastics that aren’t as appealing to look at or to touch. The Seltos, though not extravagant, simply has a more attractive interior. Its range of materials looks better and creates a more welcoming experience for driver and passengers alike.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

Affordable Pricing

The 2021 Kia Seltos and 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer are both entry-level crossovers. They’re priced affordably, whether you’re looking to buy your first car or are simply trying to keep the family on budget. The Seltos comes in four trims. The S starts at $21,990, while the top SX is priced at $27,900.

The Trailblazer is offered in five trims. The starting price on the base L is only $19,000, while the RS and Activ both come in at $25,500. This makes the Trailblazer a more affordable option, even in its most well-equipped trim.

Winner: Chevrolet Trailblazer

Photo by General Motors

Big Performance Differences

The Seltos and Trailblazer both offer two powertrains, but there are big differences. The Seltos has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque as its base engine. A 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque is also available.

Both engines offered on the Trailblazer are turbocharged. The base 1.2-liter has 137 horsepower with 162 lb-ft of torque. The optional 1.3-liter comes in with 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. While the base engines are somewhat evenly matched, the Seltos is the clear winner if performance is at the top of your list.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

Enjoyable Behind the Wheel

Neither of these SUVs is a performance car with overly powerful engines and sports car-like handling, but that’s okay. These are practical choices that blend the flexibility of an SUV to carry people and cargo with good fuel economy, key features, and affordable price tags. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be fun to drive.

While both have responsive engines that provide plenty of power for merging with highway traffic, the Seltos has a sportier feel. It’s quick off the line with sharp handling that never feels sloppy. At highway speeds, it still has enough power to accelerate past slower vehicles. The Trailblazer has ample power, but isn’t as engaging to drive as the Seltos.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

Differences in Cargo Capacity

One of the reasons crossovers are so appealing is because of their ability to handle people or cargo, easily switching between the two depending on your needs. The 2021 Kia Seltos has 26.6 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats or 62.8 cubic feet behind the front seats with the rear seats folded. It also has a dual-level cargo load floor that adds additional cargo flexibility.

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer comes in with smaller numbers. There’s 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 54.4 cubic feet behind the front seats. That’s a significant difference in cargo capacity, making the Seltos a better choice if cargo is a priority.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

Budget-Friendly Fuel Economy

Fuel economy depends on which powertrain you choose and whether you go with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. If you can do without all-wheel drive, then you increase your vehicle's fuel economy and save money at the pump.

The best fuel economy for the Kia Seltos comes from the 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive. It gets an EPA-estimate 29 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. The Chevrolet Trailblazer posts its best fuel economy with the 1.3-liter engine and front wheel drive. It gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. This is almost a tie, but the Seltos comes out just ahead on the highway.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

A Range of Standard Safety Features

Standard safety features on all Seltos times include hill start assist, downhill brake control, and auto cruise control; except for the the base trim, driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance assist with car and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, and high beam assist come standard.

The Trailblazer has standard automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, and automatic high beam headlights. Also standard is a rear vision camera, teen driver, and rear seat reminder. While both vehicles have a wide range of safety features, the Trailblazer includes more of them standard on the base trim.

Winner: Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Photo by General Motors

Infotainment That Prioritizes Connectivity

The Kia Seltos comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, one USB port, and a 6-speaker audio system. Wireless charging and a second USB port for rear passengers are standard on mid-range trims. The SX, which sits at the top of the lineup, gets a 10.25-inch screen along with a Bose premium audio system.

The base system on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Available upgrades include a 7-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. Although the base infotainment systems are comparable between the two SUVs, the screen is larger on both the base and top trims of the Seltos.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia

And the Winner Is…

There’s plenty to like about both of these SUVs. They’re offered in a wide range of trims with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, have ample standard safety features, and have plenty of room for five people and all their stuff. They’re well-matched, but the Kia Seltos comes out ahead of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

Although it has a slightly higher starting price, the Seltos offers a more attractive, comfortable interior with better driving dynamics. It also has more room for cargo, better fuel economy, and larger infotainment screens. In this contest, the Seltos is our pick.

Winner: Kia Seltos

Photo by Kia