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Sources: EPA fuel economy file 2026-11-04 | NHTSA safety records 2026-11-14
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2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer gets 27 to 31 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Trailblazer FWD at 31 mpg.

How the Trailblazer ranks in its class

In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, the Trailblazer ranks 11th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for combined mileage (31 mpg), 10th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for yearly fuel cost ($2,000 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 12th (tied with 2 others) of 31 for tailpipe CO2 (287 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 30 mpg, costs $2,100 a year and puts out 297 grams per mile.

Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 41 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Trailblazer's best version, 8 other models get the same and 185 get less. The 2026 Trailblazer's cheapest version costs $2,000 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 36 cost less, 4 the same and 185 more.

Nearest models in the class (places 8 to 11 of 31)

Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.

PlaceModelBest versionmpgFuel a year, cheapest versionCO2 g/mi, lowest version
82026 Hyundai Santa Fe2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD36$1,750244
92026 Nissan Rogue2026 Rogue FWD32$1,950279
92026 Toyota Corolla Cross2026 Corolla Cross32$1,950276
112026 Chevrolet TrailblazerThis car2026 Trailblazer FWD31$2,000287
112026 Hyundai Kona2026 Kona FWD31$2,000284
112026 Hyundai Venue2026 Venue31$2,000291
112026 Nissan Kicks2026 Kicks31$2,000287

Your fuel cost

Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.

$1,935 a year

2026 Trailblazer FWD, 3-cyl 1.3 L: 29 mpg city, 33 highway, 31 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Trailblazer version is $2,000 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).

31miles per gallon, combined
$0.13fuel cost per mile
484gallons a year
$9,677fuel cost over 5 years

Compare with a rival

The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.

2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD
31
mpg combined
$1,935
fuel a year
2026 Hyundai Kona FWD
31
mpg combined
$1,935
fuel a year

Both cost the same to fuel.

Over 5 years both cost the same to fuel at these miles and these prices.

The Trailblazer against its nearest rivals

Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.

Rival in 2026Best versionCombinedFuel a year, agency (15,000 miles)Against the Trailblazer (mileage)Agency yearly fuel cost against the TrailblazerSide by side
2026 Hyundai Kona2026 Kona FWD31 mpg$2,000same figuresameCompare
2026 Hyundai Venue2026 Venue31 mpg$2,000same figuresameCompare
2026 Nissan Kicks2026 Kicks31 mpg$2,000same figuresameCompare

Every version of the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer

EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.

VersionEngineGearboxDriveCityHighwayCombinedFuel a yearCO2 g/miFuel vs cheapest
2026 Trailblazer FWD3-cyl 1.3 LAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-wheel293331$2,000287cheapest
2026 Trailblazer FWD FFV3-cyl 1.2 LAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-wheel303130$2,100297+$100
2026 Trailblazer AWD3-cyl 1.3 LAutomatic 9-spdAll-wheel262927$2,300329+$300

Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2026 version pay back?

Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Trailblazer; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.

Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.

Emissions

Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Trailblazer FWD puts out 287 grams per mile; across the 3 tested versions the figure runs from 287 to 329.

EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Trailblazer FWD: fuel economy score 6 (5 to 6 across versions), greenhouse gas score 6 (5 to 6 across versions).

Mileage by model year

Best combined figure of the Trailblazer gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.

Model yearBest gas versionVersions testedAgainst 2026
202131 mpg
3same as 2026
202231 mpg
3same as 2026
202331 mpg
3same as 2026
202431 mpg
2same as 2026
202531 mpg
3same as 2026
2026This page31 mpg
3this page

Compared with the 2025 model: 3 versions were tested then and 3 now; the best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).

Version in 202620262025Change
2026 Trailblazer FWD, 3-cyl 1.3 L31 mpg31 mpgno change
2026 Trailblazer FWD FFV, 3-cyl 1.2 L30 mpg30 mpg (listed in 2025 as Trailblazer FWD (3-cyl 1.2 L))no change
2026 Trailblazer AWD, 3-cyl 1.3 L27 mpg27 mpgno change

Safety record

Crash-test ratings, 2026

Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.

VehicleOverallFrontSideRollover
2026 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A AWDnot rated5 of 5not rated4 of 5
2026 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A FWDnot rated5 of 5not rated4 of 5

The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.

The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 13 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations.

Owner complaints, 2026

13 complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Part named in the reportsReports
Engine5
Unknown Or Other5
Electrical System4
Service Brakes3
Air Bags2

2 of the 13 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.

Safety recalls

1 recall is on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Reported 20 Aug 2026, campaign 26V539000

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026.

More Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD for 2026

Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Trailblazer itself is at 31 mpg.

Other Chevrolet models of 2026

More Chevrolet models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.

Common questions

Which 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer gets the best mileage?

The 2026 Trailblazer FWD with 31 mpg combined (29 city, 33 highway).

How much does a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer cost to fuel for a year?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer costs between $2,000 and $2,300 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Trailblazer FWD at $2,000; the dearest is the 2026 Trailblazer AWD at $2,300. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.

What mileage does the all-wheel-drive Trailblazer get?

2026 Trailblazer AWD: 27 mpg combined (26 city, 29 highway).

How does the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer rank among 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD models?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer is 11th of 31 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Kia Niro at 53 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 30 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 32 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Hyundai Kona at 31 mpg.

Did the Trailblazer change from 2025 to 2026?

The 2025 model had 3 tested versions and the 2026 model has 3. The best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).

How did the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer do in crash tests?

In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A AWD: front 5, rollover 4; 2026 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A FWD: front 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.

Do owners complain about the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

13 complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Engine (5 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.

Does the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer have recalls?

The agency's database lists 1 recall for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.

How fresh these numbers are

For the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.

Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.