Compare the2027 GMC Terrain VS 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the GMC Terrain achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has not been tested.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Terrain has standard 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.

The Terrain offers an optional HD Surround Vision 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 GMC Terrain offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Chevrolet Trailblazer doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The Terrain has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Trailblazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Terrain has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Trailblazer and the Trailblazer’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the Terrain and the Trailblazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and available all-wheel drive.

The Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (175 vs. 137) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 162) than the Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (175 vs. 155) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 174) than the Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GMC Terrain is faster than the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder:

	Terrain	Trailblazer
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.1 sec	9.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.7 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	82 MPH

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (14.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trailblazer (15.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Terrain has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Trailblazer (235/65R17 vs. 225/60R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain Denali offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Trailblazer’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the GMC Terrain 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Trailblazer (107.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Trailblazer.

The Terrain has .6 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trailblazer.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trailblazer with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trailblazer with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

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

	Terrain	Trailblazer
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.1”/72.2”	32”/64.5”
Max Width	54.7”	54”
Min Width	41”	41”
Height	32.6”	28.2”

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

When two different drivers share the Terrain, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Terrain’s optional 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.

On a hot day the Terrain’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Trailblazer can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Open and Start allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Trailblazer only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Terrain’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Trailblazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet only offers heated mirrors on the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS.

When the Terrain with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Trailblazer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Trailblazer, and aren’t available on the Trailblazer LS. The Terrain also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Trailblazer.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Terrain 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 Terrain has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Trailblazer.

The Terrain has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Trailblazer LS doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Terrain’s optional 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 Terrain and the Trailblazer offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Terrain 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.

With standard Natural Voice Recognition, the Terrain offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Trailblazer doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the GMC Terrain eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the infotainment system.