If you're in the hunt for a new crossover SUV, there's two that catch most people's attention. These are the Trailblazer and the Corolla Cross. But being that people swear by one or the other, we'll do a brief look at both in some key areas so you have a better idea on which one you may want.
Key takeaways
- The Trailblazer offers two gas powered options, and while they don't have the highest tow rating, the Corolla Cross officially doesn't have one.
- The Trailblazer comes with 4 trims, with the two highest sharing the same price, making it easy to pick based on features.
- If you're not a fan of the CVT, then the Trailblazer is your only option as it does offer an automatic.
Will there be a 2026 Trailblazer?
Yes, there will be a 2026 Trailblazer. And for the 2026 Trailblazer, Chevrolet didn't really make many changes. This is because it saw sweeping changes in 2024. This year did add some new colors to the lineup. These colors are Crimson Metallic and Nitro Yellow Metallic, taking the place of White Sands and Apex Red. This year also made the spare tire optional.
2026 Chevy Trailblazer trim levels
The Trailblazer comes in 4 trims to pick from.
When putting the two models head to head you'll find that the Trailblazer comes with 4 trims, compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross' 6 trims. While at first, less trims may seem unappealing, when you really think about it, you'll find that this makes it easier to get better features.
The trims that you can look for on the Trailblazer are the LS starting at $25,095, LT starting at $26,295, RS starting at $29,695, and the Activ starting at $29,695. Of these trims, the one that is recommended is the LT. This is because it comes with an upgraded audio system, dark tinted glass for the rear doors and hatch, remote start, and heated mirrors.
The trims that you can look for on the Toyota Corolla Cross are the L starting at $25,035, LE starting at $27,365, Hybrid S starting at $29,395, XLE starting at $29,960, Hybrid SE starting at $30,715, and the Hybrid XSE starting at $33,430.
As you can see, the prices remain fairly competitive, up until the end. This gives the edge to the Trailblazer as it does help keep the prices low, while still giving you some decent features.
2026 Chevy Trailblazer Specs
The 2026 Trailblazer makes 155 horsepower.
When looking at the two models, you'll find that the Corolla Cross does come with a hybrid option, but for the sake of fairness, we'll only cover the gas powered variants. Their power, transmissions, and mileage can be found in the table below.
Engines by model
|
Trailblazer 1.2L I3 |
Trailblazer 1.3L I3 |
Corolla Cross 2.0L I4 |
| Power |
137 horsepower |
155 horsepower |
169 horsepower |
| Transmission |
CVT |
9-speed automatic |
CVT |
| Mileage |
30 MPG combined |
31 MPG combined |
30 MPG combined |
| Towing |
1,000-pounds |
1,000-pounds |
Not rated |
As shown by the table, the Corolla Cross does have a slight edge when it comes to power. But if you're not wanting the most power, then the mileage more than makes up for that. Coming with a pair of gas powered engines, you're bound to get the one that you want. Being that the 1.3L also comes with the tried and true automatic, this may be an attractive option over the CVT.
Both vehicles are subcompact crossovers with 5 seats, front- or all-wheel drive, and 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranties, but they differ in power and cargo space. As shown above, the Trailblazer offers two turbocharged three-cylinder engines (137 hp or 155 hp), while the Corolla Cross has a 169-hp four-cylinder.
The Corolla Cross has slightly superior combined EPA fuel economy at 30-32 mpg versus the Trailblazer's 27-31 mpg. The Trailblazer's cargo area is 25.3 cubic feet and with the rear seat folded it increases to 54.4 cubic feet; the Corolla Cross is much less at 21.5 cubic feet and 44 cubic feet respectively. Both models come standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
Which is better: Trailblazer or Corolla Cross?
We think that the Trailblazer has the edge, not only does it come with slightly better engine options, the high-end is cheaper than the Corolla Cross. Because of this, we think it's the one that you should get. If you're wanting to see a Trailblazer in person, then we invite you to come down to Banner Chevrolet! We can show you what we have in stock, and answer any questions you may have.