Compare the2022 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The Crosstrek offers optional parking sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Crosstrek CVT’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Crosstrek and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer:

	Crosstrek	Trailblazer
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Crosstrek is 2.3% to 2.9% less likely to roll over than the Trailblazer.

Warranty

The Crosstrek’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trailblazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Crosstrek’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Trailblazer’s camshafts. If the Trailblazer’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek’s reliability 42 points higher than the Trailblazer.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 9 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (152 vs. 137) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (182 vs. 155) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (176 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Crosstrek is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Crosstrek 2.0	Crosstrek Sport/Limited	Trailblazer
Zero to 60 MPH	8.8 sec	7.8 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	16 sec	17 sec

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Trailblazer:

			MPG
Crosstrek
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/33 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
Trailblazer
FWD	Auto	1.2 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
AWD	Auto	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy

The Crosstrek has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the Trailblazer:

	Crosstrek	Trailblazer
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Crosstrek has larger tires than the Trailblazer (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R16).

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trailblazer L’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Trailblazer L.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek flat and controlled during cornering. The Trailblazer’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Crosstrek Premium handles at .81 G’s, while the Trailblazer RS AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Trailblazer RS AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Trailblazer’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Trailblazer (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Crosstrek has 2.2 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 9.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

Cargo Capacity

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek’s cargo area is larger than the Trailblazer’s in almost every dimension:

	Crosstrek	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32.3”/64.2”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	53”	54”
Min Width	43”	41”
Height	30”	28.2”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Crosstrek’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Trailblazer’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Trailblazer. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Crosstrek’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Trailblazer’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Limited has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trailblazer offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Crosstrek Limited’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Trailblazer’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek will cost $240 less than the Trailblazer over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek will retain 62.13% to 65.32% of its original price after five years, while the Trailblazer only retains 46.09% to 46.97%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Crosstrek will be $1959 to $4777 less than for the Chevrolet Trailblazer.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Trailblazer isn't recommended.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Chevrolet Trailblazer by 58% during the 2021 model year.