2026 Chevrolet Blazer vs Ford Bronco: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Bronco — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (62.2% vs 50.2%) and more available power (418 hp vs 308 hp). Choose the Blazer if fuel economy comes first (25 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Blazer 2 pts · Bronco 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Blazer | 2026 Bronco | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $41,295 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 50.2% | 62.2% | Bronco |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | Blazer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 308 hp | 418 hp | Bronco |
| Max towing (1) | 4,500 lb | 4,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 38.3 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 4 | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 10.5% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 35 | Blazer |
| Weighted points | 2 | 2.5 | Bronco |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Blazer — 25 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Bronco — 62.2% vs 50.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Blazer 4,500 lb vs Bronco 4,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Bronco buyers paid a median 10.5% off MSRP across 6 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 11.9% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Blazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Bronco: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Blazer 4, Bronco 35.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Blazer 2023 (caution), 2024 (avoid), 2025 (solid) · Bronco 2023 (avoid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (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
| 2026 Blazer | 2026 Bronco | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $41,295 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $80,990 |
| Horsepower | 228–308 hp | 300–418 hp |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft | 440 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–25 mpg | 15–20 mpg |
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 4,500 lb |
| Max payload | — | 1,417 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 38.3 cu ft |
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) Bronco lists for a median $35,447 — 62.2% of today's median new price of $56,969.
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More on the Ford Bronco
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Blazer better than the Bronco?
On our data, no — the Bronco comes out ahead. Our pick: the Bronco — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (62.2% vs 50.2%) and more available power (418 hp vs 308 hp). Choose the Blazer if fuel economy comes first (25 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Blazer or the Bronco?
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 35 for the Bronco.
Which holds its value better, the Blazer or the Bronco?
The Bronco: a 5-year-old example lists for 62.2% of the new price, versus 50.2% for the Blazer, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Blazer or the Bronco?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Blazer or the Bronco?
The Blazer: up to 25 mpg combined vs 20 mpg for the Bronco (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 Chevrolet Blazer vs Ford Bronco: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-blazer-vs-ford-bronco, updated November 8, 2026.