Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Volkswagen Taos: Specs Compared
Also searched as Volkswagen Taos vs Chevrolet Trailblazer specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer and Volkswagen Taos are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 31 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Volkswagen Taos leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2021–2026
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 17 configurations
2022–2027
Volkswagen Taos
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 12 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 33 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 287 g/mi | 286 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; FFV | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic 9-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic 7-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Years covered | 2021–2026 | 2022–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 17 | 12 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Volkswagen Taos dimensions and size
The Volkswagen Taos is 2.4 inches longer than the Chevrolet Trailblazer on a wheelbase 2 inches longer, and 416.7 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Chevrolet Trailblazer (2026) | Volkswagen Taos (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.6 in | 176 in | 2.4 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 71.3 in | 72.8 in | 1.6 in |
| Height | 65.7 in | 64.6 in | 1.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 105.9 in | 2 in |
| Curb weight | 3,014 lbs | 3,430 lbs | 417 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Volkswagen Taos: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Chevrolet Trailblazer burns about $2,000 of fuel annually against $2,000 for the Volkswagen Taos. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Chevrolet Trailblazer is the stronger commuter at 30 mpg city, while the Volkswagen Taos pulls ahead on the interstate at 36 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Chevrolet Trailblazer is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, SIDI; FFV), the Volkswagen Taos with 1 (SIDI). Across 17 recorded Chevrolet Trailblazer configurations and 12 for the Volkswagen Taos, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Chevrolet Trailblazer is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Volkswagen Taos with Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Volkswagen Taos emits 286 g/mile of CO2 versus 287 g/mile for the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Trailblazer vs Taos: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Chevrolet Trailblazer or the Volkswagen Taos?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer and Volkswagen Taos are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 31 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Volkswagen Taos runs about $2,000 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,000 for the Chevrolet Trailblazer — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the Trailblazer and Taos offer?
Chevrolet Trailblazer: SIDI, SIDI; FFV. Volkswagen Taos: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Volkswagen Taos as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, so they compete directly.
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