Chevy Trax vs Trailblazer vs Equinox: Which Small SUV?
Small Chevy SUVs compared
Chevy Trax vs Trailblazer vs Equinox: Which Small SUV?
Three small Chevrolet SUVs, a few thousand dollars apart. The biggest differences are AWD and power.
- FWDTrax
- AWD avail.Trailblazer, Equinox
- 63.5 cu ftEquinox max cargo
Home › Chevrolet Trax Guide › Trax vs Trailblazer vs Equinox · Last updated October 31, 2026
Short answer: Lowest price and best mpg: Trax. A small SUV with AWD: Trailblazer. More room, more power and AWD: Equinox. If winter driving on unplowed roads is part of your life, that alone points to the Trailblazer or Equinox.
Prices are Chevrolet MSRP before destination. 2027 prices are from Chevrolet.com's 2027 Trax announcement (Oct 2026); confirm final pricing and destination on the window sticker.
Side by side
| Trax | Trailblazer | Equinox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $23,700 (2027 LT) | See the Trailblazer guide | $29,300 (2027 LT) |
| Drive | FWD only | FWD or AWD | FWD or AWD |
| Power | 137 hp | 1.2L or 1.3L turbo | 175 hp, 203 lb-ft |
| Cargo (max) | 54.1 cu ft | See the Trailblazer guide | 63.5 cu ft |
| Best for | Value, mpg, rear-seat room | Small SUV with AWD | More room, power and AWD |
Equinox figures from Chevrolet (2027 LT, before destination). The 2027 Trailblazer comes in two versions; see its guide for current details.
Choose the Trax if…
- Price and fuel economy come first (EPA 30 mpg combined).
- You drive mostly plowed roads and will run winter tires.
- You want a big back seat for the money.
Choose the Trailblazer if…
- You want a small footprint but need AWD for a rural road or driveway.
Choose the Equinox if…
- You need more cargo (up to 63.5 cu ft), more power (175 hp) and AWD.
- You haul kids, dogs or gear on most trips.
Trax detail: Trax specs, cargo and mpg and Trax in a Wisconsin winter. Guides: Trailblazer · Equinox.
Back to the Chevrolet Trax buyer's guide.
Size in plain terms
The Trax is longer and lower than the Trailblazer with more cargo behind the rear seat but is FWD only; the Trailblazer is taller with AWD available; the Equinox is the step up with 63.5 cu ft max cargo, AWD and a 1,500-lb tow rating with proper equipment. The Trax is not rated to tow.
Trax questions
Is the Trax bigger than the Trailblazer?
It is longer and lower with more cargo behind the rear seat; the Trailblazer is taller and offers AWD.
What's the difference between the Trax and Trailblazer?
The Trailblazer offers AWD and the Trax doesn't. The Trax is typically the lower-priced choice with generous rear-seat room.
Is the Equinox bigger than the Trax?
Yes. The Equinox offers more cargo space (up to 63.5 cu ft vs 54.1), more power (175 hp vs 137) and AWD.
Which small Chevy is best for Wisconsin winter?
Any of them works on plowed roads with winter tires; for unplowed rural roads or steep driveways, choose an AWD Trailblazer or Equinox.
More Trax guides
Sources: Chevrolet.com, 2027 Trax (LT, RS, ACTIV prices and features), Edmunds, 2026 Trax trims and specs (137 hp, 162 lb-ft, FWD), Chevrolet.com, 2027 Equinox