2026–27 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–1.5 across 6 categories, winning on more available power (194 hp vs 155 hp) and more towing capacity (3,500 lb vs 1,000 lb). Choose the Trailblazer if fuel economy comes first (31 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Trailblazer 1.5 pts · Crosstrek 2 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trailblazer | 2027 Crosstrek | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $26,995 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 56.3% | 56% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 31 mpg | 29 mpg | Trailblazer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 155 hp | 194 hp | Crosstrek |
| Max towing (1) | 1,000 lb | 3,500 lb | Crosstrek |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 23.3 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 1 | 2 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 2 | Crosstrek |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Trailblazer — 31 mpg vs 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trailblazer 5 vs Crosstrek 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Trailblazer 56.3% vs Crosstrek 56% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Crosstrek — 3,500 lb vs 1,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Trailblazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Trailblazer 1, Crosstrek 2.
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 Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $26,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $35,995 |
| Horsepower | 137–155 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 174 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 27–31 mpg | 26–29 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,000 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 23.3 cu ft |
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) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazers for sale →
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Chevrolet Trailblazer
More on the Subaru Crosstrek
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trailblazer better than the Crosstrek?
On our data, no — the Crosstrek comes out ahead. Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–1.5 across 6 categories, winning on more available power (194 hp vs 155 hp) and more towing capacity (3,500 lb vs 1,000 lb). Choose the Trailblazer if fuel economy comes first (31 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Trailblazer or the Crosstrek?
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 Crosstrek.
Which holds its value better, the Trailblazer or the Crosstrek?
About the same — 56.3% vs 56% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Trailblazer or the Crosstrek?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trailblazer or the Crosstrek?
The Trailblazer: up to 31 mpg combined vs 29 mpg for the Crosstrek (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 Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trailblazer-vs-subaru-crosstrek, updated November 8, 2026.