What is the best year for a Chevrolet Blazer?

The 2022 and 2023 Blazer are the standout used picks — 39 and 35 complaints respectively, both with 10/10 NHTSA safety scores and only 4 severe issues each. After a rougher launch window in 2019-2020 (181 and 204 complaints), the Blazer stabilized quickly. The 2022-2025 window is consistently clean.

How much does Chevrolet Blazer insurance cost?

Blazer insurance averages around $2,570/year — roughly $214/month. On the higher end for midsize SUVs, despite favorable maintenance costs.

Is the Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Edge cheaper to maintain?

The Blazer is cheaper to maintain by $90/year — $521 versus $611 for the Ford Edge. The Blazer also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 33%). The Blazer is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Blazer?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below the midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't warranted for most buyers — the data supports self-insuring.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek expensive to maintain?

At $492/year the Crosstrek sits just $26 above the subcompact segment average of $466 — essentially at par on sticker cost. Where it distinguishes itself is frequency: a 13% repair rate versus the segment average of 20% means fewer unscheduled shop visits per year. Combined with a 7% major repair probability (below the 9% class average) and a 9/10 reliability score, it's a strong long-term ownership choice.

What is the best year for a Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Crosstrek stands out with only 32 complaints, a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, and just 4 severe issues — the cleanest year in its recent history. Avoid the 2019 model, which had 276 complaints. The 2023–2025 window represents the most refined version currently available on the used market.

How much does Subaru Crosstrek insurance cost?

The Crosstrek averages about $1,968/year to insure — roughly $164/month — making it one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs to insure. Its strong safety ratings and low theft profile keep rates competitive across most driver profiles.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V cheaper to maintain?

The HR-V is cheaper by about $191/year — $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. The HR-V also leads on reliability (10 vs. 9) and major repair probability (5% vs. 7%). The Crosstrek's counterargument is standard AWD, which the HR-V doesn't offer — a meaningful difference depending on where and how you drive.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Crosstrek?

Probably not. A 7% major repair probability and 13% repair frequency both sit below the subcompact segment average, and a 9/10 reliability score puts it in low-risk territory. If buying a 2019 model used, some coverage is worth considering given elevated complaints that year — otherwise, self-insuring makes more financial sense.

Chevrolet Blazer vs Subaru Crosstrek

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Blazer if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Subaru Crosstrek — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Blazer	Subaru Crosstrek
Annual maintenance	$521	$492winner
5-year total cost	$2,605	$2,460winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%	7%winner
Cargo space	—	54.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$37,095	$27,600winner
Best years to buy	—	2021

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Blazer	Subaru Crosstrek
RepairPal score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	135.2	74.9winner
Years to avoid	2019, 2020, 2021	2018, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	90.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	52.8%	71.2%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	40.5%	59.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Blazer	Subaru Crosstrek
Engine	24.3%	10.7%winner
Electrical	15.8%	10.1%winner
ADAS	9.0%winner	10.4%
Brakes	6.7%	1.6%winner
Suspension	1.1%	1.0%winner
Steering	7.7%	3.1%winner
Fuel system	2.3%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	3.8%	2.2%winner
Glass/Windows	0.8%winner	33.0%
Airbags	1.5%	1.4%winner
Lighting	—winner	2.5%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Blazer	Subaru Crosstrek
Avg annual premium	$2,570	$1,968winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Blazer

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Crosstrek

$492/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Blazer costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the class average of 7, it's one of the stronger ownership-cost profiles in the midsize segment.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →