Chevy Trailblazer vs Subaru Crosstrek: 2026 Trailblazer vs 2027 Crosstrek Compared
Last updated: October 18, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The Chevy Trailblazer and Subaru Crosstrek are small SUVs built for Colorado weekends, but they take different approaches: the Trailblazer leads on price and interior room, the Crosstrek on standard AWD, power and off-road hardware. Here is the 2026 Trailblazer, the newest Trailblazer on sale, against the 2027 Crosstrek, using each manufacturer’s published specs.
Quick Verdict
The Crosstrek has standard AWD, more power (180 vs 155 hp), better AWD fuel economy (29 vs 27 mpg combined), 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a higher tow rating, plus a hybrid and the trail-ready Wilderness. The 2026 Trailblazer costs less ($25,600 with AWD vs $26,995, or $23,600 with FWD), has more rear legroom (39.0 vs 36.5 in.) and more cargo space behind the rear seat, and every trim gets an 11-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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New 2026 Trailblazers on our Lakewood lot, with current Chevrolet offers.
The Matchup: Value and Room vs Standard AWD
Subaru has priced the 2027 Crosstrek and says it arrives at retailers this fall, though subaru.com still shows the 2026 model. Chevrolet has announced an updated 2027 Trailblazer for late spring 2027, so the 2026 Trailblazer is the newest one on sale.
Every Crosstrek has AWD and a CVT; gas models use a 180-hp 2.5L flat-four, and the Sport Hybrid and Limited Hybrid make 194 hp combined. The Trailblazer is FWD as standard with a 137-hp 1.2L turbo or a 155-hp 1.3L turbo, and AWD, which always comes with the 1.3L and a 9-speed automatic, is available on every trim.
The Trailblazer is roomier inside, with 39.0 inches of rear legroom vs 36.5 and 25.3 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seat vs 23.3. The Crosstrek has a published 8.7 inches of ground clearance (Chevrolet does not publish a Trailblazer figure) and is rated to tow 1,500 lbs (Subaru’s 2026 rating; the 2027 Wilderness tows 3,500) vs the Trailblazer’s 1,000.
Trailblazer vs Crosstrek Specs
| Spec | 2026 Chevy Trailblazer | 2027 Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (excl. destination) | $23,600 (LS FWD); $25,600 with AWD; $1,795 destination | $26,995 (AWD standard); $1,475 destination |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl (137 hp / 162 lb-ft); 1.3L turbo 3-cyl (155 hp / 174 lb-ft) | 2.5L flat-4 (180 hp / 178 lb-ft); hybrid 194 hp combined |
| Transmission | CVT (FWD); 9-speed automatic (AWD) | CVT |
| AWD | Available on every trim | Standard |
| EPA combined, AWD | 27 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Best EPA combined | 31 mpg (1.3L FWD) | 29 mpg; 2027 hybrid not yet rated (2026 hybrid: 36 mpg) |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 25.3 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 54.4 cu ft | 51.9 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 39.0 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Ground clearance | Not published | 8.7 in. (Wilderness 9.3 in.) |
| Max towing | 1,000 lbs | 1,500 lbs (2026 rating); Wilderness 3,500 lbs |
| Length | 174.1 in. | 176.4 in. |
| Center screen | 11 in. on every trim; wireless CarPlay and Android Auto | Dual 7 in. with wired CarPlay and Android Auto (Base); 11.6 in. wireless (Premium and up) |
| Adaptive cruise control | Available (LT, ACTIV, RS) | Standard (EyeSight) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain; hybrid system 8 yr/100,000 mi |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Build & Price (2026 Trailblazer); Subaru’s 2027 Crosstrek pricing release and specification sheets; fueleconomy.gov. Crosstrek cargo figures are from Subaru’s 2027 spec sheet (subaru.com’s 2026 figures are 19.9 and 54.7 cu ft). The 2027 Crosstrek Hybrid has not been EPA-rated yet. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Starting price with AWD
MSRP in dollars, excluding destination. Lower is better.
Rear legroom
Cargo behind the rear seat
Off-Road Trims: ACTIV vs Wilderness
The Crosstrek Wilderness ($33,795) is the more serious trail SUV: 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, steeper approach and departure angles (20.0 and 33.0 degrees), a transmission cooler for 3,500-lb towing and a shorter final drive. X-MODE with Hill Descent Control is standard on every Crosstrek.
The Trailblazer ACTIV ($28,200 FWD, $29,800 AWD) adds off-road suspension tuning, a functional skid plate and sport terrain tires, but Chevrolet does not publish its ground clearance. For 2027, Chevrolet has announced a Trailblazer Z71 with standard AWD.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the Chevy Trailblazer if you want
- A lower price: $23,600 with FWD or $25,600 with AWD
- More rear legroom (39.0 in.)
- More cargo space behind the rear seat
- An 11-inch touchscreen with wireless phone integration on every trim
- Current Chevrolet offers on 2026 models
Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if you want
- Standard AWD on every trim
- More power and better AWD fuel economy
- A hybrid option
- 8.7 inches of ground clearance and the 9.3-inch Wilderness off-road trim
- Adaptive cruise with lane centering as standard
Interior and Technology
Every 2026 Trailblazer has an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2027 Crosstrek Base has dual 7-inch screens with wired CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Premium, Limited, Wilderness and hybrids get an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless phone integration, and the hybrids add a 12.3-inch digital cluster.
Subaru’s EyeSight, standard on every Crosstrek, includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering. On the Trailblazer, Chevy Safety Assist (Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert and Front Pedestrian Braking) is standard, and Adaptive Cruise Control is available on the LT, ACTIV and RS. Neither offers hands-free driving.
The Bottom Line
If you want standard AWD, a hybrid or a trail-ready Wilderness, the Crosstrek is the stronger pick. If you want the lowest price, more back-seat and cargo room behind the rear seat, and a big touchscreen on every trim, the Trailblazer delivers more for less, especially with current offers on 2026 models.
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Trailblazer vs Crosstrek FAQs
Which is cheaper, the Trailblazer or the Crosstrek?
The 2026 Trailblazer starts at $23,600 with FWD and $25,600 with AWD. The 2027 Crosstrek starts at $26,995 with standard AWD. Both exclude destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,475 Subaru).
Which has more room inside?
The Trailblazer, with 39.0 inches of rear legroom vs 36.5 and 25.3 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seat vs 23.3, per Subaru’s 2027 spec sheet.
Which gets better gas mileage?
With AWD, the Crosstrek is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined vs the Trailblazer’s 27. The Trailblazer with the 1.3L turbo and FWD is rated 31, and the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid 36; the 2027 hybrid has not been rated yet.
Is the Crosstrek better off-road?
It has 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.3 in. on the Wilderness), a figure Chevrolet does not publish for the Trailblazer, plus standard AWD with X-MODE. The Trailblazer ACTIV adds off-road suspension tuning and a skid plate, and Chevrolet has announced a 2027 Trailblazer Z71.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2026 Trailblazer page, chevrolet.com Build & Price, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for the rival, reviewed October 18, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle Owner’s Manual for important feature limitations and information.