2026–27 Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Traverse: 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 3–2.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (50.2% vs 41.8%) and better fuel economy (25 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Traverse if you want the most power (328 hp vs 308 hp).
Scorecard: Blazer 3 pts · Traverse 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Blazer | 2027 Traverse | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $40,800 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 50.2% | 41.8% | Blazer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | Blazer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 308 hp | 328 hp | Traverse |
| Max towing (1) | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb | Traverse |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 3.8% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 2 | Traverse |
| Weighted points | 3 | 2.5 | Blazer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Blazer — 25 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Blazer — 50.2% vs 41.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Traverse — 5,000 lb vs 4,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Traverse buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP across 18 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,747 for the Blazer and $25,158 for the Traverse (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Blazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Traverse: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Blazer 4, Traverse 2.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Blazer 2023 (caution), 2024 (avoid), 2025 (solid) · Traverse 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Blazer | 2027 Traverse | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $40,800 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $55,400 |
| Horsepower | 228–308 hp | 328 hp |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft | 326 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–25 mpg | 21–22 mpg |
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 5 | — / 8 |
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) Traverse lists for a median $20,999 — 41.8% of today's median new price of $50,206.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Chevrolet Blazers for sale →
- See 26,190 new 2027 Chevrolet Traverses for sale →Median listed price $49,427 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Chevrolet Traverse
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Blazer better than the Traverse?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Blazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–2.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (50.2% vs 41.8%) and better fuel economy (25 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Traverse if you want the most power (328 hp vs 308 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Blazer or the Traverse?
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 2 for the Traverse.
Which holds its value better, the Blazer or the Traverse?
The Blazer: a 5-year-old example lists for 50.2% of the new price, versus 41.8% for the Traverse, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Blazer or the Traverse?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Blazer or the Traverse?
The Blazer: up to 25 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Traverse (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 Traverse: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-blazer-vs-chevrolet-traverse, updated November 8, 2026.