2026 Chevrolet Trax vs Chevrolet Trailblazer: 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 2.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 50.6%) and more available power (155 hp vs 137 hp). The Trax doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Trax 0 pts · Trailblazer 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trax | 2026 Trailblazer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 50.6% | 56.3% | Trailblazer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 137 hp | 155 hp | Trailblazer |
| Max towing (1) | — | 1,000 lb | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 1 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 0 | 2.5 | Trailblazer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Trax 30 mpg vs Trailblazer 31 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trax 5 vs Trailblazer 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Trailblazer — 56.3% vs 50.6% (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
- Trax: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Trailblazer: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Trax 2, Trailblazer 1.
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 Trax | 2026 Trailblazer | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 137–155 hp |
| Max torque | 162 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 29–30 mpg | 27–31 mpg |
| Max towing | — | 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) Trax lists for a median $13,750 — 50.6% of today's median new price of $27,174. A 5-year-old (2021) Trailblazer lists for a median $16,999 — 56.3% of today's median new price of $30,201.
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More on the Chevrolet Trax
More on the Chevrolet Trailblazer
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trax better than the Trailblazer?
On our data, no — the Trailblazer comes out ahead. Our pick: the Trailblazer — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (56.3% vs 50.6%) and more available power (155 hp vs 137 hp). The Trax 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 Trax or the Trailblazer?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Trax and 1 for the Trailblazer.
Which holds its value better, the Trax or the Trailblazer?
The Trailblazer: a 5-year-old example lists for 56.3% of the new price, versus 50.6% for the Trax, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Trax or the Trailblazer?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trax or the Trailblazer?
It's a wash: 30 mpg vs 31 mpg best EPA combined.
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 Trax vs Chevrolet Trailblazer: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trax-vs-chevrolet-trailblazer, updated November 8, 2026.