2026–27 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Chevrolet Equinox: 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 3.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 47%) and better fuel economy (31 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Equinox if you want the most power (175 hp vs 155 hp).
Scorecard: Trailblazer 3.5 pts · Equinox 2 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trailblazer | 2027 Equinox | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $28,600 | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.35 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 56.3% | 47% | Trailblazer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 31 mpg | 27 mpg | Trailblazer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 155 hp | 175 hp | Equinox |
| Max towing (1) | 1,000 lb | 1,500 lb | Equinox |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 8.4% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 1 | 4 | Trailblazer |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 2 | Trailblazer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Trailblazer — 31 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trailblazer 5 vs Equinox 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Trailblazer — 56.3% vs 47% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Equinox — 1,500 lb vs 1,000 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.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Trailblazer: 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: Trailblazer 1, Equinox 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: 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
| 2026 Trailblazer | 2027 Equinox | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $28,600 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $33,000 |
| Horsepower | 137–155 hp | 175 hp |
| Max torque | 174 lb-ft | 203 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 27–31 mpg | 26–27 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,000 lb | 1,500 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) Equinox lists for a median $16,286 — 47% of today's median new price of $34,640.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazers for sale →
- See 40,232 new 2027 Chevrolet Equinox for sale →Median listed price $34,821 · 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 Trailblazer
More on the Chevrolet Equinox
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trailblazer better than the Equinox?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Trailblazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 47%) and better fuel economy (31 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Equinox if you want the most power (175 hp vs 155 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Trailblazer 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 1 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Trailblazer and 4 for the Equinox.
Which holds its value better, the Trailblazer or the Equinox?
The Trailblazer: a 5-year-old example lists for 56.3% 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 Trailblazer or the Equinox?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trailblazer or the Equinox?
The Trailblazer: up to 31 mpg combined vs 27 mpg for the Equinox (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 Trailblazer vs Chevrolet Equinox: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trailblazer-vs-chevrolet-equinox, updated November 8, 2026.