WEBER CHEVROLET · CREVE COEUR · ST. LOUIS AREA
The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers two turbocharged engines, two transmission types and available all-wheel drive. The combination matters: a front-wheel-drive Trailblazer uses a continuously variable transmission, while AWD pairs the 1.3L engine with a nine-speed automatic. Compare the entire configuration before choosing a trim.
This guide puts engine output and EPA fuel economy together, then turns those figures into a practical test-drive plan for St. Louis-area shoppers. At Weber Chevrolet in Creve Coeur, you can compare available vehicles with your usual passenger load, driving priorities and ownership budget in mind.
The standard 1.2L turbo produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The available 1.3L turbo increases those figures to 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft. ACTIV and RS feature the 1.3L engine; engine availability elsewhere depends on the selected configuration.
The larger engine does not always mean AWD. A 1.3L front-wheel-drive Trailblazer uses a CVT, while the 1.3L AWD version uses a nine-speed automatic. If the transmission matters to you, include drivetrain in your inventory search instead of searching only for engine size.
On a smaller screen, scroll across the table to compare all columns.
| Configuration | Output | Transmission | Drive wheels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L turbo | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | CVT | Front-wheel drive |
| 1.3L turbo, FWD | 155 hp / 174 lb-ft | CVT | Front-wheel drive |
| 1.3L turbo, AWD | 155 hp / 174 lb-ft | Nine-speed automatic | All-wheel drive |
For 2026, the EPA rates the 1.3L FWD Trailblazer at 29 city, 33 highway and 31 combined mpg. The 1.2L FWD version is rated at 30 city, 31 highway and 30 combined mpg on regular gasoline. The 1.3L AWD version is rated at 26 city, 29 highway and 27 combined mpg.
Those ratings show why the smallest engine is not automatically the highest-rated configuration in every driving category. They also show a tradeoff between the available AWD system and the FWD configurations. EPA figures are estimates for comparison; weather, speed, driving behavior, load and other conditions affect actual results.
If you are comparing model years on the lot, keep this 2026 table separate from our 2027 Trailblazer information. Match the fuel-economy label to the year and drivetrain of the vehicle you are considering.
On a smaller screen, scroll across the table to compare all columns.
| Powertrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L FWD CVT | 30 | 31 | 30 |
| 1.3L FWD CVT | 29 | 33 | 31 |
| 1.3L AWD nine-speed | 26 | 29 | 27 |
An illustrative calculation can show the size of a fuel-economy difference without pretending to predict your actual bill. Assume 12,000 miles a year, a constant gasoline price of $3.50 per gallon, and vehicles achieving exactly their EPA combined estimates. At 31 mpg, the calculation is about 387 gallons and $1,355 a year. At 27 mpg, it is about 444 gallons and $1,556.
Under those assumptions, the difference is about $201 per year. That is a comparison tool, not a forecast or a statement of current local gasoline prices. Substitute your annual mileage and a fuel-price assumption you are comfortable using, then consider the purchase-price and insurance differences alongside fuel.
Our finance center can help you compare complete purchase terms. If your current vehicle is part of the transaction, begin with a trade-in estimate and keep the trade allowance and any remaining payoff separate when reviewing the proposal.
GM identifies the 2026 Trailblazer’s 1.2L engine as E85 compatible. The EPA lists that flex-fuel configuration at 21 city, 23 highway and 22 combined mpg on E85, compared with 30 combined mpg on regular gasoline. Do not apply the E85 compatibility statement to a different engine simply because it is also a Trailblazer.
To compare fuel cost, divide the price per gallon by the relevant mpg figure. For illustration, at $3.50 per gallon and 30 mpg, regular gasoline costs about 11.7 cents per mile. E85 at an assumed $2.50 per gallon and 22 mpg costs about 11.4 cents per mile. Those are hypothetical inputs, not local price quotes, and your actual economy can differ.
Use the vehicle’s fuel labeling and owner’s manual before choosing a fuel. If you expect to use E85 regularly, also consider whether your normal routes have convenient access to it; a cheaper posted price alone does not settle the comparison.
Begin with a repeatable route and similar driving conditions. From a safe, ordinary start, observe how smoothly the vehicle moves away and how easily you can modulate speed in traffic. On an appropriate entrance ramp, evaluate response with a normal accelerator input rather than trying to reproduce a performance test.
The FWD CVT and AWD nine-speed use different transmission designs. A CVT can vary its ratio continuously, while the automatic changes among fixed ratios. Decide whether you are comfortable with the sound and response of the specific vehicle you drive; neither a transmission label nor a horsepower figure describes the whole experience.
Bring your usual passengers if practical. The Trailblazer interior guide helps you check seating and cargo at the same visit, while the 2026 Trailblazer overview connects performance with the rest of the vehicle.
Available AWD is a drivetrain choice. ACTIV adds an appearance and equipment direction that includes off-road suspension tuning and a functional skid plate; RS emphasizes a sportier look, including 19-inch wheels and red interior accents. Both feature the 1.3L engine, but their badges should not replace verification of the selected drive system.
Consider the surfaces you actually drive. If most miles are on paved roads, include patched pavement and low-speed turns in the test drive. If your routine includes an unpaved access road, explain its conditions when choosing the vehicle and tires. Ground clearance, tires, load and road conditions matter alongside AWD.
Use the 2026 Trailblazer trim comparison to narrow equipment before you choose a color. The Trailblazer color and roof guide then helps separate appearance choices from mechanical requirements.
A solo test drive may feel different from your regular drive with several people and their equipment. Describe that normal load when you compare vehicles. If you often carry a bulky item, verify how it fits without folding a seat that someone needs to occupy.
The Trailblazer seats five and offers a fold-flat front passenger seat for long-cargo arrangements. Those are useful packaging features, but cargo must remain within applicable limits and be secured. Ask to see the vehicle’s loading information rather than treating available floor space as a weight rating.
If your daily load makes you want a larger SUV, compare the Trailblazer and Equinox or the Blazer and Trailblazer. Engine output is one part of that decision; passenger comfort, cargo access and the amount of vehicle you want to park remain equally practical questions.
Before choosing a vehicle, look at the installed tire size and ask about replacement choices that suit your driving. Wheel appearance is easy to compare in photographs; the ride over familiar pavement and the eventual cost of suitable replacement tires require a closer look.
Follow the maintenance schedule for the specific year and powertrain, including any guidance for your operating conditions. Our Trax and Trailblazer service page is a useful starting point for future care, and the parts department can help identify compatible parts or accessories. Adding an accessory does not change the vehicle’s underlying limits.
If you are balancing a new vehicle against a used one, compare service history, condition, remaining coverage and the total purchase terms. A model name alone does not tell you how a particular used vehicle has been maintained.
Write down the drivetrain you need, the engine/transmission combination you want to try and the equipment you will use every week. That gives the sales team a concrete starting point. Keep a second configuration on the list if you want to compare the fuel-economy and driving differences in person.
You can broaden the budget comparison with used Chevrolet Trailblazer inventory. When you are ready to discuss a specific new vehicle, contact Weber Chevrolet with its stock number and your configuration questions. Our dealership is at 12015 Olive Blvd in Creve Coeur.
During the visit, record the vehicle you drove, the powertrain and the equipment that influenced your decision. This makes a second visit or a comparison with another SUV much easier than trying to remember which trim had a particular feature.
The 1.2L turbo produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The available 1.3L turbo produces 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft. Compare the selected engine and drivetrain together because the transmission also changes with AWD.
Among the listed regular-gasoline configurations, the 1.3L FWD CVT version is rated highest at 31 combined mpg. The 1.2L FWD is rated at 30 combined, and the 1.3L AWD at 27 combined. Actual fuel economy varies.
No. Front-wheel-drive 2026 Trailblazer configurations use a CVT. The all-wheel-drive configuration pairs the 1.3L turbo with a nine-speed automatic. Check both the engine and drivetrain when filtering inventory.
GM identifies the 1.2L engine as E85 compatible. Verify the actual vehicle’s fuel labeling and owner’s manual before filling. The EPA’s 1.2L flex-fuel record has separate gasoline and E85 ratings; do not extend that compatibility to another engine without verification.
Do not use the trim name alone to decide. ACTIV and RS feature the 1.3L engine, while AWD is a configuration to confirm separately. Ask for the drivetrain shown in the selected vehicle’s equipment information.
Bring your driving priorities, typical annual mileage and any passenger or cargo requirements. If you already have vehicles in mind, share their stock numbers so you can compare the correct engines, transmissions and equipment on a similar route.
Use the ratings to narrow your options, then drive the configuration that matches your routine. We can help you compare FWD and available AWD, review equipment and build a clear purchase proposal.
