2026–27 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Buick Encore GX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Trailblazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 51.7%). The Encore GX doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Trailblazer 1.5 pts · Encore GX 0 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trailblazer | 2027 Encore GX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $26,895 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 56.3% | 51.7% | Trailblazer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 31 mpg | — | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 155 hp | 155 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 1,000 lb | 1,000 lb | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 1 | 2 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 0 | Trailblazer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trailblazer 5 vs Encore GX 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Trailblazer — 56.3% vs 51.7% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Trailblazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Encore GX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Trailblazer 1, Encore GX 2.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Encore GX 2023 (solid), 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 Trailblazer | 2027 Encore GX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $26,895 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $31,700 |
| Horsepower | 137–155 hp | 155 hp |
| Max torque | 174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 27–31 mpg | — |
| Max towing | 1,000 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Trailblazer lists for a median $16,999 — 56.3% of today's median new price of $30,201. A 5-year-old (2021) Encore GX lists for a median $16,593 — 51.7% of today's median new price of $32,118.
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More on the Chevrolet Trailblazer
More on the Buick Encore GX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trailblazer better than the Encore GX?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Trailblazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 51.7%). The Encore GX doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Trailblazer or the Encore GX?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Trailblazer and 2 for the Encore GX.
Which holds its value better, the Trailblazer or the Encore GX?
The Trailblazer: a 5-year-old example lists for 56.3% of the new price, versus 51.7% for the Encore GX, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Trailblazer or the Encore GX?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trailblazer or the Encore GX?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
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 Trailblazer vs Buick Encore GX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trailblazer-vs-buick-encore-gx, updated November 8, 2026.