Chevrolet TrailBlazer vs Hyundai Tucson

2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 31 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $400 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Tucson is the bigger car, about 9 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has had fewer recall campaigns (10 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.3L 3-cyl turbo and 1.2L 3-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,014 lb (4dr SUV 1.2l FWD).

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 TrailBlazer and the 2021 Tucson have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 TrailBlazer and the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline, FFV
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.2L 3-cyl turbo
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

31 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
30 city
City / highway MPG (best)
38 city
$2,150
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
187 hp
173.6 in
Length
182.3 in
71.3 in
Width
73.2 in
65.7 in
Height
64.2 in
3,014 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,340 lb

Safety & reliability

9
Driver-assist features standard
13
1
Recalls (2026)
6
10
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
12
Owner complaints (latest year)
99

Interest

2,107
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,259

Buying used

Best used year
Year to avoid

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Chevrolet TrailBlazer if…

  • You want something easier to park (9 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (10 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 31 MPG)
  • You want more room (9 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

  • AWD / 4WD available

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Chevrolet TrailBlazer specs →Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →