Chevrolet Trailblazer vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Subaru Forester contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Subaru Forester.
When comparing the Chevrolet Trailblazer's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Trailblazer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability and overall quality score. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Trailblazer's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: For a new model, the Chevrolet Trailblazer's price is between $24,789 and $33,574, with the Subaru Forester priced between $31,497 and $38,867.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Trailblazer loses 39.5 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 34.5 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Chevrolet Trailblazer is 8.8 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Chevrolet Trailblazer being ranked 3 out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs and the Subaru Forester being ranked 17 out of 67.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Chevrolet Trailblazer is 8.9 out of 10. For the Subaru Forester the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Chevrolet Trailblazer a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Forester.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Trailblazer’s base engine makes 137 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 180 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Forester has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Trailblazer, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.74 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$24,789 - $33,574
Starting MSRP:
$23,100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$24,740
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$19,900 - $32,650
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$31,497 - $38,867
Starting MSRP:
$29,695
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,563
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$28,895 - $30,100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$27,988
Price Range:
$23,998 - $33,076
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$29,059
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$23,526 - $38,837
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
852
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12,029
# Good or Great Deals:
154
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
9,526
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
406
# Good or Great Deals:
65
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$9,369
Depreciation %:
40.6%
Resale Value $:
$13,731
Residual Value %:
59.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
36.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
28% - 42.9%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,410
Depreciation %:
35.1%
Resale Value $:
$19,285
Residual Value %:
64.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
34.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
31.9% - 40.2%
Chevrolet Trailblazer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.5 / 10
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Trailblazer
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
11.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
10.3 - 14
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
40.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.6 - 17.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Chevrolet Trailblazer Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 59Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 16Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
51 out of / 67Ranking
51 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 67Ranking
60 out of / 67Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 59Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Chevrolet Trailblazer Trim Levels
ACTIV, LS, LT, RS
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.74 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 33 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 436 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.8 inches
Cargo Space:
25.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
123.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3029 lbs
Width:
71.2 inches
Height:
64.2 inches
Length:
174 inches
Wheelbase:
103.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3510 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Fountain Blue
Gray
Sterling Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Metallic
White
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat / Summit White
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Horizon Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black / Jet Black/Medium Ash Gray
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Gray
