Trax vs. Trailblazer: Which Is Best For You?

When deciding on the right crossover SUV for your lifestyle, there are quite a few options. Chevrolet has a number of great vehicles for buyers. Whether it’s your first car out of college or your new vehicle as an empty-nester, the Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer are two of the best options. However, which one is perfect for you, and why?

2024 Chevrolet Trax Price, Engine, and Technology

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax has a base MSRP of only $21,495 and features a 1.2-liter inline-3 engine that punches above its weight with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It is faster and more fuel efficient than the 4-cylinder engine it replaced in the previous generation Trax. The EPA estimates the Trax will get 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, respectively. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display is standard, while some trims are available with an 11-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a WiFi hotspot. The top Activ trim will only run buyers $24,995. 

2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer Price, Engines, & Technology

The 2024 Trailblazer starts from $23,100 and is available with two different engine choices: a 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3 producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque or a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder that makes 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. Both engines help the Trailblazer to be nimble on its feet and fuel efficient. The EPA estimates that the 1.2-liter models will get 28 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while the 1.3-liter can get 29 city and 33 highway miles per gallon. The LS and LT models come standard with the 1.2-liter engine and front-wheel drive. However, they can be optioned with the 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive, which is standard on the RS and ACTIV trim levels. With all-wheel drive, the EPA estimates fuel economy at 26 in the city and 30 on the highway. The top-of-the-line RS and Activ trims with all-wheel drive start from $29,995. Like the Trax, the Trailblazer also has a WiFi Hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all as standard. However, the optional 11-inch infotainment display that’s optional for the Trax is standard here, as is an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. 

Safety Features

Both vehicles include Chevy Safety Assist as standard, which features Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Intellibeam Auto High Beam Assist. Cruise control is standard across the range and Adaptive Cruise control is available as an option on certain trim levels. 

Cargo Space and Interior Dimensions

The subtle differences between the two are in the cargo space and interior dimensions. 

The Trax interior dimensions in inches are: 

• Headroom F/R: 39.6 / 38.1
• Legroom F/R: 41.9 / 38.7 
• Shoulder room F/R: 55.7 / 54.3
• Hip room F/R: 52.1 / 45.3

The Trailblazer dimensions in inches are:

• Headroom F/R – 38.3 / 36.8 with sunroof
• Legroom F/R – 40.9 / 39.4
• Shoulder room F/R – 55.4 / 53.8
• Hip room F/R – 52.3 / 50.4

When it comes to cargo capacity, the Trax features 25.6 cu.ft. of space behind the rear seats and 54.1 cu.ft. with the seats folded. The Trailblazer on the other hand has 25.3 cu.ft. of rear hatch space and 54.4 cu.ft. with the seats folded. The party trick of the Trailblazer is its ability to fold the front passenger seat flat to fit things up to 8-feet in length. 

Which is Best?

In the end, it really comes down to how the buyer likes the exterior and interior looks since both vehicles are so similar in price, options, and fuel economy. The Trailblazer has a slight advantage with its optional all-wheel drive and the fold-flat front passenger seat. However, the Trax is slightly more accommodating to passengers who need extra headroom and a little extra legroom in the front. 

At Twin Falls Chevrolet, we pride ourselves on providing you with the absolute best sales and service possible. With hundreds of new and used vehicles, our talented sales team and finance department will help you find the best one for you and your family. And our fantastic service department will keep that vehicle in the best condition for you. We look forward to serving you.