The upside to a legacy automaker like Chevrolet is that a shopper can go to a dealership and look at several vehicles in different classes to see which one best suits their needs. If you’re a Chevy fan and need a small SUV, heading to a dealer with a “bow tie” on the sign may be the best move you can make. With the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox and Trailblazer on the menu, a potential buyer can see the difference between a compact and subcompact SUV.
In fact, we’ve done some of the legwork for you below. Let’s check out these two small SUVs.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet sells more of the Equinox than anything else, save full-size pickups. The brand makes affordable vehicles just as well as any automaker these days. Part of the Equinox SUV’s appeal comes from its simple, clean exterior styling. Chevy then adds a spacious cabin, impressive technology, and good fuel economy for a winning combination.
The Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a capable 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 175 horsepower through a 6-speed automatic transmission. It gets an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg. AWD is an SUV option, and it is available in four trim packages: LS, LT, RS, and Premier.
The cabin offers ample space for five people, and the styling is uncomplicated. The rear cargo space is not class-leading but more than sufficient. Pricing begins at $27,995, including destination charge. Of note, an all-new Equinox is on the way for 2025.
Chevrolet Equinox Highlights
Chevy Safety Assist: This suite of advanced driver assistance technology features automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams.
Special editions: While the Chevrolet Equinox exterior styling may not be cutting edge, upgrading to the Midnight Edition or Redline Edition appearance packages injects a dose of excitement.
Confidence & Convenience Package: The package features a power liftgate, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. It also provides safety technology like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It’s available across the lineup.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Equinox models near you.
2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Trailblazer highlights two traits associated with Chevy: value and style. The subcompact ute is among the smallest and most affordable vehicles in Chevy’s portfolio. The Trailblazer comes in four trim levels — LS, LT, Activ, and RS — and prices start at just $24,395, including destination charge.
The Trailblazer recently received a front-end refresh, highlighting the Blazer-inspired exterior. Standard equipment includes cruise control, push-button start, and an HD backup camera. On the inside, owners enjoy a new 11-inch infotainment system and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster.
You have two engine options for the Trailblazer: a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder or a 155-hp, 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder. The smaller engine is acceptable for such a small vehicle, but if you want to feel a little punch, you’ll need to spend $1,600 to upgrade. However, when you do, you also get all-wheel drive. The interior offers plenty of space for grownups in the front and back seats.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Highlights
Rough and ready: Trailblazer’s Activ trim gives it a rugged look, plus more adventurous tires and a special off-road suspension system for added capability, especially with AWD. The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t have an Activ trim, but the upcoming 2025 model will.
Chevy Safety Assist: Standard on Trailblazer, it bundles driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams.
All-wheel drive: AWD is available with any version powered by the 155-hp engine. If you add AWD, you also get a 9-speed automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Trailblazer models near you.
Similarities
Aside from the Chevy badge on each of their grilles, the Chevrolet Equinox and Trailblazer offer a slew of infotainment and safety technologies critical to buyers in this segment.
Conclusion
To be clear, one of these is not like the other. They sit in different segments but don’t share the same overall design theme. The Chevrolet Equinox boasts a clean, uncluttered exterior, while the Trailblazer clearly borrows from the new Blazer. It’s here where size matters. The Trailblazer is smaller, which can make a difference in who you may be driving around. If you don’t need the extra space of the Equinox, the more affordable and efficient Trailblazer is the economical choice.
| 2024 Chevrolet Equinox | 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer | |
| Starting Price | $27,995 | $24,395 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/30 highway/28 combined | 29 city/31 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | 1.3-liter turbo 3-cylinder, AWD, 9-speed automatic transmission |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 inches | 104.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.1 inches | 174.1 inches |
| Width | 72.6 inches | 71.2 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 65.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.4 feet | 36.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.5 inches | 38.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.9 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.2 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.5 inches | 53.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 29.9 cubic feet | 25.3 cubic feet |
