Compare the2025 Chevrolet TrailblazerVS 2024 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Chevrolet Trailblazer are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Terrain doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Trailblazer and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, 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 GMC Terrain:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trailblazer is safer than the GMC Terrain:

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

There are over 73 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trailblazer’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 4 places higher in reliability than GMC.

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

The Trailblazer has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Terrain doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Trailblazer RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Terrain (245/45R19 vs. 235/50R19).

The Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV’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 Terrain SLE/AT4’s standard 65 series tires. The Trailblazer RS’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 50 series tires.

The Trailblazer ACTIV AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Terrain Denali AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Trailblazer’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Terrain w/17” wheels’ (37.3 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Trailblazer RS’ turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Terrain w/19” wheels’ (38.3 feet vs. 41.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Trailblazer has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain SLE (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Trailblazer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Trailblazer’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali (8 vs. 7.9 inches).

The Chevrolet Trailblazer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the GMC Terrain.

The Trailblazer is 8.3 inches shorter than the Terrain, making the Trailblazer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Terrain can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trailblazer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Terrain doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Trailblazer owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trailblazer will cost $385 less than the Terrain over a five-year period.

The Trailblazer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Trailblazer will retain 60.33% to 63.25% of its original price after five years, while the Terrain only retains 53.97% to 56.81%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be $7483 to $9333 less than for the GMC Terrain.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer outsold the GMC Terrain by 54% during 2023.