Looking for a small SUV that’s easy on your car shopping budget and returns some pretty awesome MPGs? Then let us present two strong options: the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Thanks to their tidy dimensions, they’re a cinch to park and easily navigate city traffic without breaking a sweat. They’re also practical as they provide adult-friendly space inside, plenty of cargo room, and available all-wheel drive. Each serves as its respective brand’s smallest SUV, so it seemed natural to put them in a head-to-head contest.
Let’s take a closer look at some highlights of the Toyota Corolla Cross and Chevy Trailblazer.
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross
2024 model shown
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross starts at $25,385, including destination fee, and is available in three trims: L, LE, and XLE. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) can be added to every trim for $1,300 extra.
A 169-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine works in cooperation with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A hybrid powertrain is offered, but we review that model separately. Even in non-hybrid format, the Corolla Cross delivers solid fuel economy figures.
Toyota Corolla Cross Highlights
Frugal appetite for fuel: Since we are on the subject of mileage, let’s kick things off with how the Toyota Corolla Cross performs at the fuel pump. The front-wheel-drive configuration returns an EPA-rated 32 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Adding AWD drops this to 29 mpg combined, which is still commendable.
Standard safety gear: Toyota didn’t skimp on safety items in its least expensive SUV. Standard driver aids include lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a rear-seat reminder, and traffic sign recognition.
Wireless smartphone connectivity: If you’re like us, all too often we’re on the road and realize Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are off limits because we left a USB cord at home or the office. Not so in the Toyota Corolla Cross; wireless smartphone connectivity is standard.
Build quality: The interior of this small SUV has a robust and hard-wearing appeal that speaks volumes about Toyota’s reputation for building long-lasting, reliable cars and trucks.
Read our Toyota Corolla Cross Expert Review or see 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer has an asking price of $24,395 and comes in four trims: LS, LT, Activ, and RS. Since the top-of-the-line RS is only about $4,000 more than the base model, it could be worth going all in and getting the most subcompact SUV for your money.
The standard powertrain is a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder paired to a CVT (continuously variable transmission), like the Toyota Corolla Cross. Optional is a 155-hp 1.3-liter 3-cylinder with front- or all-wheel drive. The base engine is front-wheel-drive only. All-wheel-drive models have the larger engine and use a 9-speed automatic transmission.
For the 2025, the base engine can accept E85 fuel.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Highlights
Impressive infotainment system: The Trailblazer features an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument display. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and two USB ports, all for no additional cost.
Chevrolet Safety Assist: Chevy also had safety in mind when engineering the Trailblazer. The Chevrolet Safety Assist bundle of driver aids consists of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Adventurous Activ model: The Activ model has a stouter off-road suspension, 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and a functional skid plate. It also has heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, imparting a little go-anywhere attitude in the Trailblazer. The Toyota Corolla Cross has no comparable outdoorsy trim.
Sporty RS model: For those planning on keeping their Chevy SUV on paved surfaces, the racy-looking RS trim might entice. In addition to coming with the more powerful turbo 3-cylinder, it includes a dual-exit exhaust, 19-inch wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, red interior accents, and black exterior trim.
Read our Chevrolet Trailblazer Expert Review or see 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Corolla Cross and Trailblazer are evenly matched in pricing, safety equipment, cargo space, and even warranty coverage. They’re also both good on gas, getting at least 30 combined mpg.
Conclusion
We’d suggest putting the Toyota Corolla Cross and Chevy Trailblazer on your list of test drives. That’s because each has its own unique advantages and, in some cases, equally notable faults that could influence your SUV-shopping decision.
For example, the rear legroom in the Corolla Cross is below average, and the entry-level L trim feels too basic for most, even considering its tempting price. Quibbles with the Trailblazer consist of its weak base engine and jittery ride over rough surfaces — optional larger wheels exacerbate this issue.
All things considered, the Toyota Corolla Cross comes out ahead thanks to its practicality, feature content, and, perhaps most of all, its level of build quality.
Used Prices
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.2-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 150 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 31 city/33 highway/32 combined | 29 city/31 highway/30 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; hybrid | Turbo 1.3-liter 3-cyl., 9-speed automatic, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 175.6 inches | 173.5 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 71.2 inches |
| Height | 64.8 inches | 65.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.4 feet | 36.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.5 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.1 inches | 38.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.9 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 32.0 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 52.7 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 52.4 inches | 53.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 25.5 cubic feet | 25.3 cubic feet |
