2026 Chevy Trailblazer
A large and spacious SUV can be a great choice for some drivers, but we know plenty of people who prefer a more modest and nimble vehicle. If you’re interested in a subcompact SUV, then the 2026 Chevy Trailblazer is an amazing choice with great features inside and out. For something larger, Chevy offers a number of excellent models, but for drivers who prefer something small that is perfect for city driving and their daily commute, the Trailblazer is hard to beat. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we are committed to providing a fantastic shopping experience, which includes finding you a vehicle that you will love driving for many years.
In terms of performance, you have a surprising number of options for the Trailblazer, considering that it is a subcompact SUV—a class that can often feel like an afterthought for other brands. You have two different engines available for the 2026 Trailblazer: a 137-hp 1.2L turbocharged I-3 and a 155-hp 1.3L turbocharged I-3; plus, you can choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), letting you get the perfect powertrain to meet your needs. And with four impressive trim levels available, Chevy gives you plenty of options to get a subcompact SUV with everything you want.
Inside the 2026 Trailblazer, you’ll find a remarkably functional and surprisingly spacious interior. Comfort and tech features can vary depending on the trim level you choose, but standard features like an 11-inch infotainment display, an eight-inch color Driver Information Center, and comfortable cloth seating ensure every Trailblazer is a joy to drive. Available options like heated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose Premium sound system will let you take things to the next level. Best of all, every 2026 Trailblazer comes with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist to help protect you on the road each day.
MSRP: $23,000 [a]
Horsepower: 155
Torque: 174 lb-ft
Cargo Space: 54.4 cu.ft.
Performance
Performance and overall engine power are easy to overlook with a subcompact SUV, but that would be a mistake. Even with a small model, you deserve to get a vehicle that you will enjoy driving each day, and that largely comes down to performance features and options. That is why we think the Trailblazer is the perfect place to start when looking for your next vehicle. Where some other brands can make performance with a small SUV like this seem like the last thing they thought about, Chevy makes it clear that performance is at the forefront with all of its vehicles, even its subcompact SUVs.
For starters, you have two engine options for the 2026 Trailblazer, which is already impressive for what is nearly the entry-level option in the Chevy SUV lineup. The standard powertrain is a 1.2L EcoTec turbocharged I-3 engine that provides 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for an incredibly smooth and responsive driving experience. If you are looking for more power, then there is an available 1.3L EcoTec turbocharged I-3 engine that boosts performance up to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Although that is not a massive increase, it is a notable enhancement that you can feel while driving, and it is worth choosing for a better driving experience.
We also love that Chevy offers AWD for the Trailblazer; FWD is standard, which we expect from a small SUV like this, but the control of AWD is unrivaled. A Trailblazer with AWD is particularly nice if you regularly deal with dirt and gravel roads while driving, as well as for making rough weather more manageable. We should mention that AWD is only offered with the 155-hp 1.3L engine, but that just makes the handling feel even better while driving. AWD Trailblazer models also come with a nine-speed automatic transmission rather than the standard CVT; both transmissions offer great handling and different feels to match your preferences, so you cannot go wrong with either of them.
Cabin Design
One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a vehicle is the kind of experience you will have while driving, and that generally comes down to the features that you get inside your SUV, since that directly affects your comfort and how easy it is to get where you need to go. Even though the Trailblazer is a subcompact SUV, it is surprisingly spacious inside and quite comfortable with two rows of seating for up to five passengers. You get more than 25 cu.ft. of rear cargo space inside the Trailblazer and more than 54 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats, giving you plenty of room for stuff you need to bring with you.
Other features you get inside your 2026 Chevy Trailblazer depend on which trim and packages you choose, so keep that in mind. If you go with the base LS trim, then you get cloth seating that includes a six-way driver’s seat and a four-way front-passenger seat, plus single-zone climate control and cruise control to make highway driving less stressful. Looking at a higher trim like the RS, you get enhanced interior features, including heated front seats and a heated steering wheel (which are perfect for cold winter mornings), Evotex seat upholstery, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and available automatic climate control.
Tech features are quite impressive on the Trailblazer, including a standard 11-inch infotainment touchscreen that looks great and makes it easy to use your favorite apps. This is paired with an eight-inch color Driver Information Center that you can configure to meet your needs, along with a four-speaker sound system and steering-wheel mounted controls for your audio, phone, and more. Again, looking at the RS trim, we find a six-speaker sound system, keyless open, and remote start. Available options let you take things even further inside the Trailblazer RS, including a wireless charging pad, a hands-free power programmable rear liftgate, and a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system.
Driver Assistance
As much as we love the bold performance and fantastic interior features of the Chevy Trailblazer, those things do not matter if your vehicle does not help you stay safe on the road. Fortunately, Chevy understands this as well as anyone in the auto industry, and the 2026 Trailblazer comes with a fantastic slate of safety tech designed to protect you and your passengers. You get the Chevy Safety Assist suite of driver assistance features standard on the Trailblazer, which includes Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Following Distance Indicator (to alert you if you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you).
Chevy also provides Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning to help you avoid drifting from your lane while driving, along with IntelliBeam auto high beams to take your visibility further. When combined with the impressive steering, traction, and handling of the Trailblazer, you get an SUV that drives well and beautifully complements safe driving habits. To enjoy even more, the Driver Confidence Package adds to these standard features with Rear Park Assist, to help you safely back into parking spots, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, to warn you when someone is about to pass behind you when backing up.
Lane Change Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert are also included in the Driver Confidence Package to help you stay safer on the road. Additional options include things like an available auto-dimming rearview mirror that can help prevent you from being blinded by the bright lights of trailing vehicles. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available, which lets you set a following gap for the vehicle ahead of you, and it will safely maintain that distance for you; this not only helps protect you but also makes your daily drives and long road trips less stressful.
Go Further in the 2026 Trailblazer
With all of these terrific features in mind, it is easy to see why the Trailblazer has been such a popular model for so long, especially after the mid-generation update it received just a couple of years ago. If you are looking for a small SUV that is incredibly fun to drive, with excellent features inside and out, then the Trailblazer is the one for you. We didn’t even mention attributes like the off-road-inspired ACTIV trim, with its off-road suspension, functional skid plate, and other impressive features designed to help you embrace an outdoor lifestyle.
No matter what you are looking for in your next vehicle, Chevy has you covered with one of the most remarkable lineups in the auto industry. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we have you covered with friendly people ready to help you explore everything this lineup has to offer and make sure you find something you will love driving each day. Whether you already know the 2026 Trailblazer has what you are looking for or you are considering a few different options, we will answer all of your questions and make sure you get an amazing vehicle with everything you need. Call or visit us today to see the Trailblazer for yourself, and let us help you find something you will love driving for many years ahead.
