Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Chevrolet Blazer

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Blazer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Blazer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Outback has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Blazer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the Blazer.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Outback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Blazer doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Outback’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Chevrolet Blazer.

The Outback’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Blazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Outback and the Blazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Outback’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Blazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 270) than the Blazer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Blazer doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Blazer:

The Outback has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Blazer. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Outback higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Blazer (4 to 6). This means the Outback produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Blazer every 15,000 miles.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Blazer doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Blazer are solid, not vented.

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Blazer; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Outback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Blazer’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Blazer’s (36.5 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Blazer LT (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the Blazer RS (9.5 vs. 7.6 inches).

The Outback has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Blazer (112.3 vs. 107.8).

The Outback has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear hip room than the Blazer.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Blazer with its rear seat up (34.6 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Blazer with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 64.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.3 inches, while the Blazer’s liftover is 30.3 inches.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Blazer’s (2700 vs. 1500 pounds).

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Blazer. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

The Outback’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Blazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Outback’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Blazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Blazer doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Blazer doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Blazer offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outback offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Blazer’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Chevrolet Blazer by over two to one during 2024.