One of the most expansive SUV lineups on the road today belongs to Chevrolet. This includes a variety of small SUVs to suit those who want crossover SUV looks and capabilities in a smaller size. While most automakers offer one or two small SUVs in their 2025 lines, Chevy has three: the Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox. This means that even within the Chevy lineup, people must decide which is best for their needs.
Complicating the issue is that, on the surface, these SUVs have a lot in common. They mostly share the same trim lineup, including options like the sporty RS and athletic ACTIV. Many features are common on higher trims, like heated seats and a beautiful sunroof. The Trax and Trailblazer are even built on the same GM VSS-F platform. Which vehicle should someone focus on when they visit their local Chevy dealer? That’s what we’ll figure out with the Chevy small SUV showdown. We’ll break down how the vehicles stack up with their powertrains, performance, interior, and onboard tech, then conclude with some recommendations.
Powertrain
First, you should know what’s under the hood and how it runs. All editions of the 2025 Chevy Trax are equipped with an EcoTec 1.2L turbo I-3 engine offering 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s an efficient power plant with an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined and 32 MPG highway. It can run on E85 flex fuel, too. The Trax is only available in FWD, which forces you to tread more cautiously on wet and icy roads.
The 2025 Chevy Trailblazer gives buyers the choice of the same EcoTec 1.2L engine or a larger EcoTec 1.3L engine, which increases output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. FWD Trailblazers have a CVT that lets fuel efficiency rival and even surpass the Trax, reaching 31 MPG combined on the 1.3L power plant. The Trailblazer is also available in AWD with the 1.3L engine to improve slick-surface grip. This option uses a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the fuel economy drops to a still respectable 27 MPG combined.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox is the most powerful with a 1.5L turbo I-4 engine that delivers 175 hp. The FWD edition has 184 lb-ft of torque and a CVT. With AWD, you get 203 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed automatic. Not surprisingly, having the most juice also makes it the least efficient small Chevy SUV, with an EPA-estimated 27 combined MPG in FWD and 26 in AWD.
Chassis and Suspension
Next is how each SUV handles the power it’s given. The 2025 Chevy Trax uses the GM Ride and Handling suspension system with MacPherson front struts tuned for smooth performance on roadways. The rear suspension is a torsion beam design, which is cost-effective but may not have as good a ride quality at low speeds. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard, as is GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control. One disadvantage of the Trax’s small size is that it is not designed for towing.
The 2025 Chevy Trailblazer has the same foundation as the Trax but offers a few more options. The Trailblazer ACTIV AWD gets off-road tuning and sport-terrain tires for trails and entry-level unmaintained roads. The available trailer hitch can tow up to 1,000 pounds, which is enough for a couple of dirt bikes or a small watercraft.
The most precise handling and comfort come from the 2025 Chevy Equinox, as it switches to a multi-link independent rear suspension. This design improves off-road performance on each trim, and the ACTIV receives all-terrain tires. Towing capacity rises to 1,500 for a little more adventuring capability.
Interior Space
Even though they share a platform, the 2025 Chevy Trax and Trailblazer differ in the cabin. The Trax has more front legroom (41.9 to 40.9 inches) while the Trailblazer gets the edge in rear legroom (39 to 38.1 inches). Thanks to the different body shape, the Trailblazer also has a tad more headroom and substantially more hip room.
As for the cargo area, the two vehicles are virtually identical. The Trax has 25.6 cu.ft. of storage with the rear seat in place. Fold it down and space jumps to 54.1 cu. ft. The Trailblazer checks in at 25.3 and 54.4 cu.ft., respectively.
Given its status as a compact rather than a subcompact, it’s not surprising that the 2025 Chevy Equinox is the roomiest. Front legroom matches the Trailblazer, but the Equinox leads in rear legroom (39.9 inches), headroom, and hip room. Most notably, the Equinox towers over its sibling SUVs on cargo space, offering 29.8 cu.ft. with the rear seat and 63.5 cu.ft. with it folded down. Combined with the higher towing capacity, the Equinox is the best SUV for road trips and vacations.
Technology
Chevy vehicles are always tech-forward, and this remains true in the small SUV space. The 2025 Chevy Trax has an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and analog gauges on the lower trim. For the 2RS and ACTIV, this becomes an 11-inch screen and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, a subscription-based WiFi hotspot, active noise cancellation, OnStar Basics, and two front USB ports are included on each Trax. You can add wireless charging and rear USB ports on higher trims with four or six speakers.
For the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer, the 11-inch touchscreen and eight-inch gauge display are standard across the board. Beyond the standard Trax features, occupants also get a compass display, and the rear USB ports and wireless charging are available on all trims (though standard on none). A six-speaker sound system with an amplifier is the norm, and you can upgrade to a premium Bose seven-speaker system.
The 2025 Chevy Equinox takes advantage of the added interior space with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital gauge display. Wireless charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a universal home remote are standard on the Equinox RS and ACTIV, and you can add them to any other trim. Every Equinox also gets a Google Maps-based navigation system and rear USB ports. However, the compass and Bose audio system are not available.
Safety
Lastly, I want to discuss safety features. Each of these SUVs includes the Chevy Safety Assist suite with numerous active driver aids, such as lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, front automatic emergency braking, an HD Rear Vision camera, forward collision alerts, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and automatic high beams.
Nevertheless, the various models do stand apart. The 2025 Trax and Equinox have six airbags, while the Trailblazer gets 10. The Equinox makes several more driver assistance features standard, like adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking, rear parking assistance, and blind zone steering assistance. (Some of these can be added to the Trax and Trailblazer via the Driver Confidence Package.)
Key differences in the lighting also exist. The Chevy Trax has LED headlamps and daytime running lamps, while the center-mounted rear brake lamp and tail lights are traditional halogens. On the Chevy Trailblazer, the center-mount brake lamp uses LEDs on all models, and the RS and ACTIV trims also get LED tail lamps to improve visibility and longevity. The Equinox uses exterior LEDs across the board and offers optional LED fog lights for cloudy, rainy days.
Which Small Chevy SUV Should You Buy?
Now that I’ve gone over the details of each SUV, it’s time for a verdict.
If you want a budget-friendly everyday SUV that offers solid on-road performance and efficiency, excellent tech for the price tag, and modern style, get the 2025 Chevy Trax.
If you want AWD capability for bad weather and light off-roading, a big touchscreen regardless of trim, the best available sound system, and a slightly roomier interior, get the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer.
If you want the most power, towing ability, cargo and passenger space, entertainment tech, and safety features Chevy has to offer in a small SUV for daily driving or adventuring, get the 2025 Chevy Equinox.
Chevy has stepped up its SUV game, and the lineup offers a high-quality option in every direction. The Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox are available in various trims, so everyone who wants a compact or subcompact SUV can find one to their liking.
