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Chevrolet Blazer vs Ford Explorer

2026 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2026 Ford Explorer — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

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2026 Chevrolet Blazer

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS6 – 0Chevrolet Blazer wins 6 of 6 categories
Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Chevrolet Blazer is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $2,050 a year less in fuel for the Chevrolet Blazer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Ford Explorer is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Chevrolet Blazer has had fewer recall campaigns (14 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 191 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,781 lb (2.0l FWD 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2022 Blazer and the 2024 Explorer have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 Blazer and the 2016 Explorer.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
EV, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

25 MPG
Best combined MPG
24 MPG
22 city
City / highway MPG (best)
20 city
312 mi
EV range
–
$750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,800

Performance & space

191.3 in
Length
198.8 in
76.8 in
Width
78.7 in
65 in
Height
70.1 in
3,781 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,458 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
10
1
Recalls (2026)
15
14
Recalls, all years since 2005
105
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
42

Interest

4,579
Wikipedia views, 30 days
23,294

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2024
2020
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Chevrolet Blazer if…

  • You want an EV with more range (312 miles)
  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (14 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

  • You want more room (8 in longer)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Chevrolet Blazer

  • Long EV rangeUp to 312 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 17% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Chevrolet Blazer specs →Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →