2026–27 Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Equinox: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the Blazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (50.2% vs 47%) and more available power (308 hp vs 175 hp). Choose the Equinox if fuel economy comes first (27 mpg vs 25 mpg best EPA combined).

Scorecard: Blazer 3.5 pts · Equinox 1.5 pts across 5 scored categories.

The scorecard

Blazer vs Equinox scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2026 Blazer2027 EquinoxWinner
Starting MSRP (2)—$28,600No data
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)—0.35No data
5-year value retained (1.5)50.2%47%Blazer
Best EPA combined (1.5)25 mpg27 mpgEquinox
Most horsepower available (1)308 hp175 hpBlazer
Max towing (1)4,500 lb1,500 lbBlazer
Standard seats (1)—5No data
Median discount verified buyers got (1)—8.4% off MSRPNo data
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)44Tie
Weighted points3.51.5Blazer

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: the Equinox — 27 mpg vs 25 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Blazer — 50.2% vs 47% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: the Blazer — 4,500 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Equinox buyers paid a median 8.4% off MSRP across 9 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 13% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,747 for the Blazer and $19,263 for the Equinox (all model years, US dealer listings).

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Blazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • Equinox: 0.35 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 79th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Blazer 4, Equinox 4.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Blazer 2023 (caution), 2024 (avoid), 2025 (solid) · Equinox 2016 (solid), 2017 (solid).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Blazer vs Equinox specifications
2026 Blazer2027 Equinox
Starting MSRP (base trim)—$28,600
Top-trim MSRP—$33,000
Horsepower228–308 hp175 hp
Max torque270 lb-ft203 lb-ft
EPA combined21–25 mpg26–27 mpg
Max towing4,500 lb1,500 lb
Seats (standard / max)— / 55 / 5

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Blazer lists for a median $20,580 — 50.2% of today's median new price of $40,971. A 5-year-old (2021) Equinox lists for a median $16,286 — 47% of today's median new price of $34,640.

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Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Blazer better than the Equinox?

On our data, yes. Our pick: the Blazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (50.2% vs 47%) and more available power (308 hp vs 175 hp). Choose the Equinox if fuel economy comes first (27 mpg vs 25 mpg best EPA combined).

Which is more reliable, the Blazer or the Equinox?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Blazer and 4 for the Equinox.

Which holds its value better, the Blazer or the Equinox?

The Blazer: a 5-year-old example lists for 50.2% of the new price, versus 47% for the Equinox, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.

Which is cheaper, the Blazer or the Equinox?

We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.

Which has better gas mileage, the Blazer or the Equinox?

The Equinox: up to 27 mpg combined vs 25 mpg for the Blazer (best EPA rating across each lineup).

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Equinox: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-blazer-vs-chevrolet-equinox, updated November 8, 2026.