Trax, Trailblazer, or Equinox: Picking the Right Small Chevy SUV

Chevrolet offers three small SUVs that overlap enough to confuse most shoppers. Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox all seat five, all handle daily driving well, and all cost dramatically less than a full size SUV. The differences are meaningful once you know where to look.

Trax: the value play

Trax is the entry point, and the current generation punches well above its price. It is longer and roomier than the previous version, it looks considerably more expensive than it is, and it comes with a solid standard technology package including a large center display.

Best for: first time buyers, commuters focused on fuel economy and price, households adding an efficient second vehicle, and anyone who wants a new vehicle with a factory warranty instead of a higher mileage used one at a similar payment.

Note that Trax is front wheel drive. For most Central Texas driving, that is fine. If you want all wheel drive, look at Trailblazer or Equinox.

Trailblazer: small with available all wheel drive

Trailblazer sits between Trax and Equinox. It offers available all wheel drive, a taller and more rugged look, and available Activ and RS styling treatments that give it more personality than most vehicles in its price range.

Best for: buyers who want a small footprint, a bit more capability than Trax, and a vehicle that stands out in a segment full of look-alikes.

Equinox: the most practical of the three

Equinox is the largest and most refined of the group. That translates into more rear seat room, more cargo space, a quieter highway ride, and access to higher trim levels with more equipment. It is the one that works best as a household’s primary vehicle rather than a second car.

Best for: small families, longer commutes, anyone who regularly carries adults in the back seat, and buyers who want the most SUV without stepping up to a midsize.

How to decide in one visit

Ask yourself three questions:

• Who sits in the back seat, and how often? Adults regularly means Equinox.
• Do you want all wheel drive? That eliminates Trax.
• Is the monthly payment the primary constraint? Then start with Trax and step up only if something specific justifies it.

Do not overlook the EV versions

Equinox EV has become one of the more compelling electric options available, especially for households that can charge at home. If your driving is predictable and mostly local, it is worth comparing against the gas version on total monthly cost rather than sticker price alone.

See all three in one stop

These three feel different from the driver seat despite looking similar in photos. Browse our new Chevrolet inventory and we will have all three ready to drive back to back.

Payment is usually the deciding factor in this segment, so get ahead of it with our online financing application.

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