Chevy Equinox Vs. Trailblazer Vs. Traverse: Which SUV Is Right for You?
Chevy SUV Comparison at a Glance
- There are four distinct Chevy SUV sizes, each catering to different family needs.
- Representing small SUVs is the Trailblazer – a highly efficient and nimble commuter vehicle with plentiful versatility.
- The Equinox and Equinox EV are the only compact options, and they make a statement with distinct, high-quality interiors.
- The Traverse is a midsize model, much like the Blazer, and offers three rows of seating for growing families.
- Larger families who want three rows of seating can benefit from a full-sized SUV instead.
Differences Between Chevy SUVs: Trailblazer, Equinox & Traverse
When you need a reliable travel companion that can handle tough terrain and long road trips alike, considering a Chevy SUV is an excellent choice. This reliable automaker has crafted a lineup of SUVs that span different cargo and passenger capabilities for your convenience.
The Trailblazer, for example, is a great pick for drivers who want a small SUV for daily commutes to work, errands, and school drop-offs. If you and your family need extra legroom, the Equinox offers a compact yet inviting interior – perfect for relaxation on road trips. The Traverse rounds out our three SUVs, a midsize sport-ute with three rows that can seat seven or eight passengers.
At McGee Chevrolet of Greenwich in Upstate NY, we can schedule a test drive for all three SUVs so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Let's first explore the lineup so you can become familiar with all three before seeing them in person.
Chevy Trailblazer vs. Equinox vs. Traverse Chart
| Chevy Trailblazer | Chevy Equinox | Chevy Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUV Type | Small | Compact | Midsize |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Engine |
| 1.5L turbo 4-cyl | 2.5L turbo 4-cyl |
| Horsepower |
| 175 | 328 |
| Torque |
| 203 lb-ft | 326 lb-ft |
| Max EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) | 29 / 33 / 31 (1.3L)1 | 25 / 29 / 272 | 20 / 26 / 223 |
| Recommended Fuel Types |
| Regular | Regular |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000 lbs4 | 1,500 lbs4 | 5,000 lbs4 |
| Wheelbase | 104 in | 107.5 in | 121 in |
| Length | 174.1 in | 183.2 in | 204.49 - 204.72 in |
| Width | 71.2 in | 74.9 in | 79.6 - 80 in |
| Height | 65.2 in | 65.6 in | 69.6 - 70.7 in |
| Legroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd) | 40.9 / 39 / – in | 40.9 / 39.9 / – in | 44.3 / 41.5 / 32.1 in |
| Headroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd) | 40 / 38.4 / – in | 40 / 39.2 / – in | 42.6 / 40 / 38.3 in |
| Cargo Space (Trunk / Max) | 25.3 / 54.4 cu ft | 29.8 / 63.5 cu ft | 22.9 / 97.6 cu ft |
| Best For | Adventurous families | Five family members | Growing families |
Chevy Trailblazer
The new Chevy Trailblazer is our headliner, as it's a small SUV and the premium pick for any driver looking for a consistent commuter without the tight interior of a sedan. Your choice of engines, depending on trim level, include:
- 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower
- 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower
The efficiency of the engine is a major factor when choosing between the Chevy Traverse vs. Trailblazer: the 1.3-liter engine boasts an EPA-estimated 29/33/31 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),1 and its baseline sibling is right behind. Surprisingly, the Trailblazer can tow up to 1,000 pounds,4 enough for small vehicles like canoes.
As a small Chevy SUV (slightly larger than the Trax), the Trailblazer has a petite length of 174.1 inches. This is ideal for cruising through traffic and finding a tight parking spot on the street next to your favorite coffee shop: even the hardest parallel parking situations in Washington County, NY, are simple for the Trailblazer. Even with this small frame, the model seats five with ease: rear-row passengers enjoy up to 39 inches of legroom, much more than what most small competitors offer.
While affordability is a definite highlight, the Trailblazer still provides high-end features that make every drive memorable. That's thanks to an 11-inch diagonal touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an easily accessible wireless charging pad, and off-roading options like suspension tuning and a functional skid plate.
Best For
- Commuting: Commuting into the city is trivial with the Trailblazer's small length.
- Adventurous Families: Easy access to off-road tuning lets the Trailblazer nimbly conquer light trails.
- Affordability: The Trailblazer is one of our lowest-cost models with available AWD, making it a great starting choice for a garage.
Chevy Equinox
Picking a new Chevy Equinox instead of the Trailblazer opens your possibilities up quite a bit. The Equinox is a compact SUV powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This workhorse makes 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque while remaining fuel-efficient: the EPA estimates it at 25/29/27 MPG (City/Highway/Combined) with its standard FWD configuration.2 Your towing capacity also goes up compared to the Trailblazer, at 1,500 pounds4 – opening up the possibility of ATV hauling or even Jet Skis.
How about inside? Similar to the Trailblazer, the Equinox sits five. Rear-row passengers have 39.9 inches of legroom and 39.2 inches of headroom, while the front row is actually equivalent to the Trailblazer. Up to 63.5 cubic feet of space opens when you fold the passenger seats, or you can simply store 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row.
The 2027 Chevy Equinox is designed for an elevated driving experience that few models can match. Fifteen standard safety and driver assistance features are ready to lend a hand, such as Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam. An 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen enables easy-to-see customization and smartphone connectivity, while available features (such as the Interior Camera or microfiber seating surfaces) further enhance your sense of safety and convenience.
Best For
- Busy, Five-Person Families: The Equinox boasts enough room for five family members to run errands comfortably.
- Carpooling: The Equinox has a slight edge in rear-row legroom while still being small enough to drive through urban streets.
Chevy Traverse
Representing the midsize SUV lineup is the three-row new Chevy Traverse. This sport-ute can seat seven or eight passengers, and has a 328-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This gives it the lowest MPG rating of the trio, but it compensates with a 5,000-pound towing capacity.3 If you want to haul pop-up campers to a campground or a fishing boat to the docks, the Traverse is the travel companion of choice.
A 204.3-inch-long exterior and 121-inch-long wheelbase support three rows in the cabin; measurements include 44.3 inches of legroom and 42.6 inches of headroom. While the trunk is slightly smaller than the Trailblazer or Equinox, if you fold the passenger seats, the Traverse offers almost 100 cubic feet of space.
The three-row midsize Chevy SUV also provides the most expansive list of amenities. Drivers can enjoy a 17.7-inch central touchscreen and 11-inch driver information display. Your standard safety array includes 20 features, while available technologies, like HD Surround Vision, further bolster your confidence on the road. So, when you're considering a Chevy Traverse vs. Equinox, you should think about the space and the comfort, but also where your budget lies.
Best For
- Large Families: If you need to seat seven or eight people, the Traverse should be your primary pick.
- Tech Lovers: Out of the three SUVs on this page, the Traverse has the most expansive screen size, highest-end standard and available safety features, and most spacious interior.
Expert Opinion
"Those in the market for a sub-$30,000 vehicle don't have to drive around in a bland-looking econobox. Instead, they can plunk down their cash for the design-forward 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer, a subcompact SUV with a lot of style."
"The [...] Equinox brings to one of our most important nameplates bodylines and proportions inspired by our brand's truck DNA, also adopted in the upcoming Traverse... [which] made it the second-best seller in our lineup, after Silverado."
Scott Bell, Vice President, Chevrolet
"The Traverse impresses with a spacious, comfortable cabin that easily accommodates up to seven passengers and all their stuff. And the Traverse's third row isn't just for the kids – adults can get comfortable back there too, something that can't be said of some rivals."
Explore Chevy SUV Sizes at McGee Chevrolet of Greenwich
Ready to drive home the Chevy SUV that speaks to you most? Our location in Upstate NY has a showroom with several sizes, trim levels, and accessories to explore. Whether you're a commuter wanting to take home a Trax or looking into a three-row Chevrolet SUV like the Traverse, Tahoe, or Suburban, we can take you on a memorable test drive to lock in your next purchase.
So please, visit our one-stop shop for all things Chevrolet in Washington County, NY. We'll serve as your guide through the purchase of new and used vehicles.
Chevy SUV Comparison FAQ
Which is more fuel efficient between the Chevy Equinox, Trailblazer, and Traverse?
The Chevy Trailblazer is the most fuel-efficient mode with an EPA-estimated 29/33/31 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)1 with its standard FWD configuration. The Equinox and Traverse are also fuel-conscious at 25/29/27 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)2 and 20/26/22 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),3 respectively. However, the small SUV is the one for families wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
Which Chevy SUVs come with AWD standard?
Among the Equinox, Trailblazer, and Traverse, only the Chevy Traverse Z71 comes with AWD standard; all other trims across these three SUVs are FWD, with available AWD as an option. The Tahoe and Suburban also come with a Z71 trim that's AWD standard. The Trax doesn't have AWD capability, as it's the smallest of the Chevy SUVs.
What is the size difference between the Chevy Traverse, Trailblazer, and Equinox?
The Traverse is the largest of the three models, boasting three rows, while the Equinox is compact and the Trailblazer is small. Trailblazer and Equinox drivers might not notice much difference, as their models are less than 1 foot apart in length (174.1 inches vs. 183.2 inches) and offer similar legroom and headroom. The Traverse is over 200 inches long, with a spacious third row.
1EPA-estimated 29 city/33 hwy 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
2EPA-estimated 25 city/29 hwy 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
3EPA-estimated 20 city/26 hwy 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
4Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.