Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Name: 2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Brand: Chevrolet

CR MPG:

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Trailblazer is part of the growing subcompact SUV category, positioned below the larger Chevrolet Equinox. It’s roomy despite its small footprint, gets good fuel economy, and packs an impressive level of standard advanced safety features. However, the loud cabin and limited rear three-quarter visibility should give buyers pause.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

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Chevrolet TrailBl...

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

vs. Similar Cars

Buick Encore GX

Ford Bronco Sport

Honda HR-V

Hyundai Kona

Kia Seltos

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

BSW

Optional

RCTW

Optional

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

BSW

Optional

RCTW

Optional

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Highway-speed automatic emergency braking not standard

Blind spot warning not standard

Rear cross traffic warning not standard

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

BSW

Optional

RCTW

Optional

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Subcompact SUVs Ratings

2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

$23,300 - $29,500

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Buick Encore GX

$26,200 - $33,300

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Ford Bronco Sport

$31,845 - $40,265

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Honda HR-V

$26,500 - $31,850

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Hyundai Kona

$25,500 - $34,150

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Kia Seltos

$23,690 - $31,390

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Kia Seltos

$23,690 - $31,390

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mazda CX-30

$25,975 - $37,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

$27,695 - $31,845

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

$24,995 - $29,695

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Nissan Kicks

$22,430 - $28,160

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

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2026 Subaru Crosstrek

$26,995 - $34,995

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

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In Test

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

$26,995 - $34,995

EPA MPG 36 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

$25,035 - $33,330

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

$28,995 - $33,030

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Volkswagen Taos

$26,500 - $35,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Subcompact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

1.2-liter 3 turbo (137 hp)
1.3-liter 3 turbo (155 hp)

9-speed automatic
CVT

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic NA
Drivetrain NA
Corrosion NA
Roadside Aid NA
Maintenance NA

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Model History

2021-Present

Current Generation

Chevrolet resurrected the Trailblazer name for the 2021 model year, positioning this subcompact SUV between the Trax and the Equinox. It also shares a platform with the Buick Encore GX. Base models get a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo engine. All-wheel-drive as well as a larger 155-hp, 1.3-liter and a nine-speed automatic are also offered. The 1.3-liter is responsive and fuel efficient. For its small footprint, the Trailblazer provides ample room but thick roof pillars and the lack of a third side window compromise rear and side visibility. The ride is decent but handling is rather clumsy. Road noise is pronounced. Standard active safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance. It also offers optional blind spot and rear cross traffic warning.

2002-2020

2002 Redesign Year

The TrailBlazer feels underpowered with its inline six-cylinder engine, but it offers a compliant--if somewhat jiggly--ride. Handling is ungainly, with excessive body lean and slow steering. We also found the brakes unimpressive in our tests. Wind noise is pronounced and the seat-mounted seat belts are awkward to use. Electronic stability-control became standard starting in 2006, which made emergency handling more secure. The EXT version, which offered seating for seven, was discontinued after 2006, and the entire model line was dropped after 2009.