These Are The Two Most Reliable Midsize 2026 SUVs By Ford And Chevrolet

Ford and Chevrolet may be the most heavyweight mainstream American brands today. There are, of course, the likes of Jeep and Cadillac as well, but the blue oval and Chevy turn out a huge range of models that are all sorts of useful, popular, and fun to drive. Like most auto brands on earth today, the SUV market is the market both are very heavily invested in, producing a huge amount of them a year.

Among the list of models they both produce, two 2026 midsize SUVs have already garnered high reliability ratings: the 2026 Ford Bronco and the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer. But which one is the most reliable, and which one should you buy? We are taking a look at the battle of the American midsize SUVs and comparing how the Bronco and the Blazer stack up.

Ford’s And Chevrolet’s Most Reliable Midsize SUVs: 2026 Ford Bronco Vs. 2026 Chevrolet Blazer

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  Base Trim Engine

  EcoBoost 2.3L ICE

  Base Trim Transmission

  10-speed automatic

  Base Trim Drivetrain

  Four-Wheel Drive

  Base Trim Horsepower

  275 HP @5700 RPM

  Base Trim Torque

  315 lb.-ft. @ 3400 RPM

  Make

  Ford

  
  

  
  

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  Base Trim Engine

  2L I4 ICE

  Base Trim Transmission

  9-speed automatic

  Base Trim Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Base Trim Horsepower

  228 HP @5000 RPM

  Base Trim Torque

  258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 RPM

  Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

  22/29/25 MPG

  
  

  
  

Both are midsize SUVs, both are the most reliable midsize SUVs that the respective marques produce, both offer either a huge amount of off-road guts or on-road comfort, and both are available at tantalizingly low prices. The upcoming Ford Bronco has an MSRP of $40,495, and the 2026 Chevy Blazer is even cheaper at the base level, with an MSRP of $34,200.

2026 Ford Bronco Pricing

2026 Chevrolet Blazer Pricing

Ford Bronco And Chevrolet Blazer Safety And Reliability

Regardless of whether you want an SUV for off-roading or just want one to last the miles on the road, dependability is likely one of the first things you’ll look into. Thankfully for Chevy and Ford fans, both the Blazer and the Bronco have rated highly on J.D. Power or Kelley Blue Book.

There is currently no J.D. Power rating for the new Bronco, but on Kelley Blue Book, it has received a high rating. For the Blazer, there is a rating on both J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book, both of which are enviably high. On the face of things, the Blazer looks to be coming out slightly on top between the two.

2026 Ford Bronco Safety And Reliability

Ford

According to the available information on Kelley Blue Book, the 2026 Ford Bronco has been rated 4.4 out of 5 for reliability, accompanying an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5, and a recommendation rate of 90 percent out of 17 reviews. For a midsize SUV that looks the part, can munch up the mud, and flaunts one of the most iconic nameplates on the trails and desert runs, we can’t say that we aren’t impressed by its already highly rated dependability score.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $502 (RepairPal)
• Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,979 (CarEdge)
• Total Recalls: 1 for a faulty driver’s display that may not display critical information
• Worst Years To Buy Used: 1993, 1998, and 2021–2022

2026 Chevrolet Blazer Safety And Reliability

Chevrolet

Like the new Bronco, the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer hasn’t been tested by the IIHS or been given a safety rating by the NHTSA, but it has been rated highly on J.D. Power, with an overall rating of 84 out of 100, and more importantly here, a reliability rating of 85 out of 100. The 2026 Blazer has been rated 62 times on Kelley Blue Book and has been rated 4.3 out of 5 overall, with 77 percent of owners saying they’d recommend buying one.

Considering the relatively high number of reviews already, the Blazer does well for reliability, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5. Annual costs may be a little higher compared to the Bronco, but over the long term, it can work out slightly cheaper to keep on the road. This is because it is estimated that the Bronco will suffer more expensive problems later down the line compared to the later problems of the Blazer.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $649 (RepairPal)
• Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,390 (CarEdge)
• Total Recalls: 0
• Worst Years To Buy Used: 1994, 2000, 2004, and 2019.

2026 Ford Bronco vs. 2026 Chevrolet Blazer Towing And Off-Road Capability

While the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer may be sneaking slightly ahead already in terms of reliability, it is a different story when it comes to the dirtier side of owning an SUV. The 2026 Ford Bronco was made for hitting the great outdoors; it is in its blood. The Blazer, while comfortable, is certainly the more street-friendly of the two. However, towing capacities are equal, and reportedly, the new Blazer can carry more weight inside.

Towing And Payload Capacities

To get the most towing capacity from a 2026 Ford Bronco, you will need to opt for the almighty Bronco Raptor and its 3.0-liter V6, while you will need to opt for the RS or higher and the optional Trailering Package to get the most lugging grunt from a Blazer.

Off-Road Capability

When it comes to off-roading, there is little competition between the Ford Bronco and the Chevy Blazer; the Bronco was made for the mud, even at base trim. The 2026 Blazer is available with all-wheel drive, a torquey V6 under the hood, and an ‘Off-Road’ driving mode, which sends more power to the rear wheels when you need grip, dampens throttle response, makes the steering slightly lighter, and makes the transmission hold onto gears longer before shifting.

Then there is the Ford Bronco. As standard, you get a body-on-frame construction, the Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. mode selector, removable doors, and underbody protection. As you go up through the trims, you get more and more, with the Big Bend coming equipped with heavier-duty off-road hardware; the Outer Banks benefits from 18-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires, and the Badlands gets beefier suspension, a heavy-duty modular front bumper, ‘Baja’ and Rock Crawl drive modes, and rear-locking differentials.

At the top of the pile for off-road capability, you have the Bronco Raptor. Under the hood sits a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 good for 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque; it comes equipped with FOX Live Valve internal bypass dampers, long travel suspension, 37-inch all-terrain tires, a semi-float Dana 50 heavy-duty axle, and wide fenders to fit wide grippy tires. You can do a lot of damage in the rough stuff with the Bronco Raptor.

Interior: Tech, Comfort, And Usability

Both the Bronco and the Blazer are designed with different views of comfort in mind. The Bronco has been designed with rugged functionality in mind, with marine-grade vinyl, washable seating, and an adventure-ready layout, but still offers a touch of tech with a 12-inch driver display, large SYNC touchscreens, and dual USB outlets. If you go for some of the higher trims of the 2026 Bronco, such as the Outer Banks or Raptor, you also benefit from slightly more plushness in the shape of leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable seating, and a Bang & Olufsen audio rig.

On the other hand, the 2026 Blazer is designed for maximum on-road comfort from the start. You get soft-touch materials, a quieter cabin with doors that can’t be removed, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen in the gas models, or a massive 17.7-inch central touchscreen in the EV models. Even the base Blazer 2LT is slightly more refined than the base trim Bronco, while higher trims, such as the LT with Comfort & Convenience Package, RS, and SS, offer heated seats, ventilated seats, ambient lighting, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving.

Comfort And Ride Quality

On Kelley Blue Book, both the Bronco and the Blazer boast high comfort ratings; however, the Bronco edges slightly ahead with a rating of 4.7 out of 5 compared to the Blazer’s 4.5 out of 5. It is negligibly close, and again, the way in which both midsize SUVs are configured plays a big part in off- and on-road comfort.

The Bronco’s suspension relies on the HOSS suspension across the board; it just depends on what system comes equipped with what model you opt for. Trims that boast the HOSS 1.0 setup include the entry-level trim, the Big Bend, and the Outer Banks; even these trims come equipped with long-travel coilovers for off-road stability and ease. Models with the HOSS 2.0 setup — the Badlands — benefit from Bilstein dampers for better control, and the HOSS 4.0-equipped Raptor brings better off-road confidence and stronger axles to handle rocks and big dips.

On the pavement, there have been reports of road noise and a slightly uneasy feel beneath the wheels, thanks to the off-road tires and wide tracks. However, this is not always the case, and some owners are very happy with how nimble and easy to drive the Bronco can be on the road as well as off of it.

On the other hand, you have the Chevy Blazer. It has been configured to maximize on-road comfort. You don’t get much in the way of off-road chops from any grade, but thanks to the featured MacPherson front strut and multi-link rear, you get a smooth and more-refined feel down the road compared to what you might get from behind the wheel of a Bronco.

The Blazer RS does come equipped with a sportier suspension rig, with tighter springs, and you also get 20-inch wheels. This setup sharpens up the handling a little and gives you a more athletic feel in the corners, while still offering a road-ready feel.

Cargo Capacity And Seating

John Beltz Snyder

The upcoming Ford Bronco is available as a two-door SUV or a four-door SUV, with the two-door flavor being the most fun-looking when you remove the doors and want a desert dash. However, this does affect how much space you get inside. The two-door Bronco can seat up to four people, while the four-door models can seat up to five people. The four-door models also come equipped with a 60/40 split rear folding seat, so loading up the rear isn’t too strenuous either.

Ford Bronco Interior Specs

All grades of the 2026 Chevy Blazer come equipped with four unremovable doors, a seating capacity of five, and a 60/40 split rear bench. Again, loading is relatively easy for long items, and comfort over rugged utility is the order of the day from Chevy.

Chevrolet Blazer Interior Specs

2026 Ford Bronco And 2026 Chevrolet Blazer Cargo Space Comparison

Verdict: The Blazer Wins For Everyday Use, But The Bronco Is For The Fun Stuff

We think there is a clear choice to be made if you are looking for a reliable midsize SUV that can handle both relative on-road comfort and fun in the mud. That would be the 2026 Ford Bronco. You have a good number of powerful engine options; reliability ratings are high; there is a lot of room inside, considering what it is really built for; you can get more in a four-door Bronco than you can in a new Blazer, and it is a trail icon. Yes, it is more expensive than the Blazer, but if you are in the market for an SUV that can do a bit of everything and looks the business, the 2026 Bronco looks to be a very good choice.

2026 Ford Bronco Performance Specs

However, if you live in an area of the country that means you don’t require the off-road specialization of the Bronco, the lower-priced, still exceptionally useful and reliable Blazer is probably the way to go. There is ample first and second-row legroom; cargo capacities are good for the segment; the cabin has been created for maximum comfort in the midsize market, and there is a lot of nice tech included (especially in the EV). The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer would make for a good choice if family comfort, on-road driving, and a sleek-looking, city-friendly demeanor are what you want from a midsize SUV.

2026 Chevrolet Blazer Performance Specs

Sources: KBB, J.D. Power, The EPA, NHTSA, IIHS