2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Kirkland Buyers Guide

A small SUV that does not feel like a small-SUV compromise

The Trailblazer sits near the bottom of Chevrolet's SUV price ladder, but it does not look like it was drawn by a committee trying to save money. The nose is sharp, the roofline on the ACTIV and RS trims is painted in a contrasting color, and the wheels start at 17 inches on every trim. Inside, the dash is built around an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display, both of which come on the cheapest version just as they do on the most expensive. That is unusual enough in this price range to be worth a comment, and it means a shopper never has to decide between a good screen and a good price.

It also seats five adults, and the front passenger seat folds flat, which stretches the cargo floor to a maximum length of 8.5 feet according to Chevrolet. For a car that is easy to park outside a Totem Lake restaurant or in the tight levels of a Bellevue garage, that is a useful trick for hauling skis, a rolled-up rug or a paddleboard.

Two engines, and which trims get which

Both engines are turbocharged three-cylinders. The 1.2-liter makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a continuously variable transmission, and it appears only on front-drive LS and LT models. The 1.3-liter makes 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft, comes standard on the ACTIV and RS, and can be added to the LS and LT. All-wheel-drive Trailblazers always get the 1.3-liter, and they pair it with a nine-speed automatic instead of the CVT. That rule is easy to get tangled in conversation, so it helps to remember it as a package: want AWD, and you get the bigger engine and the geared transmission with it.

The EPA rates the front-drive 1.3-liter at 29 city, 33 highway and 31 combined mpg, the front-drive 1.2-liter at 30, 31 and 30, and the all-wheel-drive version at 26, 29 and 27. The 1.2-liter's EPA record lists gasoline or E85 as its fuel, while the 1.3-liter runs on regular gasoline. Chevrolet also lists three drive modes as available, which is a feature that comes into play most on wet pavement.

Technology and safety that come standard

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on all four trims, and so is push-button start. Chevrolet lists a Bose audio system, wireless phone charging and a hands-free power liftgate as available extras. On the safety side, every Trailblazer carries Chevy Safety, which the company describes as a suite of six driver-assistance features. Forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator and IntelliBeam automatic high beams are all part of it. Those matter on a commute like I-405 at five in the afternoon, where the car ahead stops more often than anyone would like.

Choose your 2026 Trailblazer

Where the 2026 sits in Chevrolet's plans

Shoppers who search for this car sometimes land on news about a newer one. Chevrolet's website shows a 2027 Trailblazer as an upcoming model with a changed lineup and an availability date of late spring 2027. Today the 2026 is the model Chevrolet lists with live inventory and a build-and-price tool, so a 2026 Trailblazer is the one you can drive home this season.

What Lee Johnson Chevrolet customers say

Lee Johnson Chevrolet holds about 4.6 stars across more than 2,200 Google reviews, and Trailblazer buyers appear in them going back several years. Chris A. wrote in January that Thomas Huddleston and Andrew Wight "made purchasing a vehicle smooth and pressure free," and added: "I look forward to enjoying my 2026 Trailblazer." Malorie M., a first-time Trailblazer shopper, wrote: "I had never looked into the Chevy Trailblazer, but it was recommended to me and I ended up buying it cause it met all my needs." Thomas is the store's Assistant Sales Manager and Fleet Manager, and Andrew is one of its Sales Managers.

Buying a Trailblazer in Kirkland

Washington has no state income tax, and it relies on sales tax instead. For motor vehicles, the Department of Revenue's fourth-quarter 2026 table lists Kirkland at 10.3 percent, and dealers collect an additional 0.5 percent motor vehicle sales tax on top of that, so plan on roughly 10.8 percent of the selling price. The pricing and leasing guide walks through the numbers, and the service and repair guide covers what ownership looks like once you are driving it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Chevy Trailblazer a good car?

It suits drivers who want a roomy-for-its-size small SUV with a large standard touchscreen, wireless phone projection and an available all-wheel-drive system at a low starting price. Because the engines are small turbo three-cylinders, a test drive on your own commute will tell you more than a spec sheet about whether the power feels right to you.

How much is a fully loaded 2026 Trailblazer?

Chevrolet's starting prices run from $23,600 for the LS to $28,200 for the ACTIV and RS before the $1,795 destination charge. What a fully optioned one costs depends on the trim, the drivetrain and which packages you choose, so the build-and-price tool or a dealership quote is the way to get an exact figure.

Is Chevy discontinuing the Trailblazer?

No. The 2026 Trailblazer is on sale now, and Chevrolet's website previews a 2027 model for late spring 2027, so the nameplate is continuing.

What is better, an Equinox or a Trailblazer?

The Trailblazer is the smaller and lower-priced of the two, which helps in tight parking and on a tighter budget, while the Equinox is larger and costs more. Sitting in both back to back is the quickest way to decide whether you need the extra space.

Which Trailblazer trim is best?

That depends on what you value. The LS keeps the price lowest, the LT adds black wheels and convenience features, the ACTIV leans toward the outdoors with tuned suspension and a skid plate, and the RS leans toward styling with 19-inch wheels and red accents.

Is the Chevy Trailblazer all-wheel drive?

Front-wheel drive is the starting configuration, and all-wheel drive is available. Choosing it brings the 1.3-liter turbo engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

See the Trailblazer in person in Kirkland

Lee Johnson Chevrolet's showroom sits near downtown Kirkland with easy access to I-405, and the team welcomes drivers from Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Bothell and Sammamish. Browse the current Trailblazer inventory, check the new Chevrolet specials, or pre-qualify online before you visit. You can also meet the sales and service team ahead of time.