2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2026 Hyundai Kona

$23,100 · Crossover

$25,350 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle between the spirited 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer and the fresh 2026 Hyundai Kona pits accessible punch against efficiency polish. The Trailblazer grabs attention immediately with its robust 162 lb-ft of torque, slightly edging out the Kona’s 132 lb-ft, utilizing a flex-fuel engine that offers versatility. Conversely, the Kona boasts slightly more traditional power with 147 hp versus the Trailblazer's 137 hp, making it a compelling choice for highway cruising thanks to its superior 34 MPG highway rating. Though nearly identical in footprint, the Trailblazer measures 174.1 inches long, while the Kona is slightly shorter at 171.3 inches. Cargo capacity is a virtual tie, with the Kona offering 25.5 cu ft compared to the Trailblazer's 25.3 cu ft. The Kona secures a higher base highway efficiency, achieving 34 MPG, while the Trailblazer excels in torque delivery for city maneuvers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona wins for commuters due to its superior 34 MPG highway rating, promising lower fuel stops on longer drives.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona offers a marginal advantage in practicality with slightly more maximum cargo capacity at 25.5 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer is the enthusiast's choice here because its 162 lb-ft of torque provides a more immediate pull off the line than the Kona's 132 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer presents better immediate value by starting at an MSRP of $23,100, which is $2,250 less than the Kona.

Choose the Chevrolet Trailblazer if...

You prioritize immediate low-end pulling power, benefiting from the Trailblazer's 162 lb-ft of torque.
Saving upfront costs is paramount, as the Trailblazer starts at a lower MSRP of $23,100.
You utilize E85 fuel, as the Trailblazer is designed to run on flex-fuel.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

Maximum highway fuel economy is essential, highlighted by the Kona's 34 MPG highway rating.
You prefer the slightly more powerful standard output, boasting 147 hp.
A slightly lower stance is desired, as the Kona stands at 62.2 inches versus the Trailblazer's 64.2 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Hyundai Kona
Length	174.1"	171.3"
Width	71.2"	71.9"
Height	64.2"	62.2"
Wheelbase	104.0"	104.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Fuel Type	flex-fuel (unleaded/E85)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	30/31 MPG	29/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	396.0/409.2 mi.	359.6/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	11.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.4 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	52.3 in.	54.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Folding Capability	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	38.4 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.8 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.4 in.	52.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Size	225/60R17	215/60R17
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Chevrolet	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2026 Hyundai Kona.

Which crossover offers better power delivery for quick acceleration?

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer feels punchier in stop-and-go driving due to its higher torque rating of 162 lb-ft, compared to the Kona’s 132 lb-ft. While the Kona has more horsepower (147 hp vs 137 hp), the Trailblazer's torque advantage is usually more noticeable in urban settings.

How do the fuel economies compare between the two FWD crossovers?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is slightly more efficient overall, achieving a combined 31 MPG and an excellent 34 MPG on the highway. The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer reports a slightly lower 30 MPG combined and 31 MPG highway rating.

Is the newer 2026 Hyundai Kona significantly larger than the 2025 Trailblazer?

No, they are very similarly sized subcompact crossovers. The Trailblazer is longer at 174.1 inches, but the Kona is wider at 71.9 inches. Cargo space is virtually identical, with the Kona holding 25.5 cu ft and the Trailblazer holding 25.3 cu ft.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer enters the segment with a more approachable MSRP of $23,100. The 2026 Hyundai Kona commands a slightly higher starting price of $25,350 for the base configuration.

Does the transmission type affect performance differently in these two CVTs?

Both vehicles utilize a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). However, the Trailblazer's pairing with the higher torque engine often allows it to translate that rotational force more effectively than the Kona’s setup manages its slightly higher peak horsepower.

Can I use E85 in either the Trailblazer or the Kona?

Only the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer is specified as a flex-fuel vehicle, meaning it can run on E85 gasoline. The 2026 Hyundai Kona requires regular unleaded fuel.