Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Trailblazer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Forester 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 Forester (except Base/Premium) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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 Forester. But it costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The Forester Touring has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trailblazer only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Forester Touring’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 Forester and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The Forester’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 Forester’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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 14 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (180 vs. 137) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (180 vs. 155) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Forester is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Forester	Trailblazer
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	8.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23 sec	28 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.9 sec	9.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	83 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester 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 Forester gets better mileage than the Trailblazer:

			MPG
Forester
	AWD	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
		Sport/Touring 2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/32 hwy
Trailblazer
	AWD	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Forester	Trailblazer
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11.81 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.39 inches

The Forester’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Trailblazer are solid, not vented.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Forester 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 Forester has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Forester flat and controlled during cornering. The Trailblazer’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Forester’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (105.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Trailblazer’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.3 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Trailblazer RS’ (35.4 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

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

Passenger Space

The Forester has 12.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Trailblazer (110.8 vs. 98.2).

The Forester has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The Trailblazer’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 1.5 inches lower than the Trailblazer (15.5” vs. 17”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .1 inches lower than the Trailblazer’s (17.25” vs. 17.4”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trailblazer with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.9 inches, while the Trailblazer’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

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

	Forester	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/70.7”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	51.2”	54”
Min Width	43.3”	41”
Height	34.9”	28.2”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

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

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 14th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Forester Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Trailblazer’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Trailblazer’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’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.

Both the Forester and the Trailblazer offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Trailblazer.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Forester’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Forester and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Forester (except Base/Premium/Sport)’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.

Recommendations

The Subaru Forester outsold the Chevrolet Trailblazer by 37% during 2023.

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