Compare the2023 Chevrolet TrailblazerVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The Chevrolet Trailblazer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Compared to metal, the Trailblazer’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a metal gas tank.

Both the Trailblazer and the Crosstrek Hybrid 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

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

The Trailblazer’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trailblazer’s warranty.

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 Trailblazer’s reliability 18 points higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (155 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Trailblazer and Crosstrek Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Trailblazer has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Trailblazer higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Trailblazer produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Trailblazer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek Hybrid:

The Trailblazer stops shorter than the Crosstrek Hybrid:

The Trailblazer has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Trailblazer has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 700 pounds less than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Trailblazer LS/LT is 3 inches shorter than the Crosstrek Hybrid, making the Trailblazer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Trailblazer AWD uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trailblazer has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Trailblazer has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (54.4 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS’ power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Trailblazer AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trailblazer can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Crosstrek Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trailblazer’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Trailblazer’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

Consumer Reports rated the Trailblazer’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV/RS offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Trailblazer is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Trailblazer owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trailblazer will cost $140 to $630 less than the Crosstrek Hybrid over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be $1921 to $6868 less than for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.