What Are the Differences Between the 2024 Chevy Trax and Trailblazer?

Chevrolet has one of the widest ranges of SUVs of any domestic manufacturer. There’s something for everyone in their current lineup. Whether it’s the iconic Suburban for maximum seating or the Equinox EV for drivers who want a compact electric SUV, the fun duo of the Trax and Trailblazer, or the sophisticated luxury of the Tahoe, you’ll find the SUV of your dreams with Chevy. If you’ve been looking at a Chevy Trax for sale, you might also have some questions about the Trailblazer. They are both reliable, budget-friendly, fun compact SUVs. But what about beyond those things? What makes the two SUVs similar, and what makes them different? Let’s look at several factors and how the 2024 Trax and Trailblazer do them similarly or differently.

What Do the Trim Selections Look Like?

The Chevy Trax has five trims: the LS, 1RS, LT, ACTIV, and 2RS. The difference between trims is due to slight tweaks of the body style, different aesthetic options, and an increase in luxury and quality-of-life features. There are four trims for the Chevy Trailblazer. The LS, LT, ACTIV, and the RS. The difference between trims focuses on technology, comfort, and performance features. The Trailblazer has more color options, bringing in a Summit White roof for the ACTIV trim and Crimson Metallic or Mosaic Black Metallic roofs on the RS trim.

What’s Under the Hood?

The Trax has an EcoTec 1.2L Turbo engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission capable of turning out 137 hp. The EPA-estimated mileage is 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. The Trax is only available in front-wheel drive.

There is a slight increase in fuel efficiency with the Trailblazer, whose EPA-estimated mileage is 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway when equipped with the 1.3L engine. The standard EcoTech 1.2L Turbo engine for the Trax is standard on the Trailblazer as well. The ACTIV and RS trims can upgrade to the aforementioned EcoTec 1.3L Turbo engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission, which raises the horsepower to 155 hp and has 174 lb-ft of torque. It comes with standard front-wheel drive but can be upgraded to all-wheel drive with the 1.3L engine.

Interior Comfort

While seating is one component of comfort, there are several other variables to consider, including climate control. The LS, 1RS, and LT trims for the Trax have Single-Zone Manual Climate Control, while Single-Zone Automatic Climate Control is standard for the ACTIV and 2RS trims. A heated steering wheel comes standard on the 1RS, ACTIV, and 2RS trims and is available on the LT trim.

Single-zone manual climate control is standard on all four Trailblazer trims. Automatic climate control for single zones is available on the LT, RS, and ACTIV trims. A heated steering wheel is available on the LT trim and standard for the ACTIV and RS trims.

Active Noise Cancellation, which blocks and absorbs sound, is available on both the Trailblazer and the Trax across all trims. In addition, both models offer remote start on all of their trims. For the Trax, it’s a standard feature on the 1RS, LT, ACTIV, and 2RS trims, and is available on the LS trim. The Trailblazer offers it standard on the LT, RS, and ACTIV trims, with the ability to upgrade on the LS trim.

Seating and Cargo Space

With the back seats in place, the Trax has a 25.6 cu.ft. of cargo space. With the back seats folded down, this increases to 54.1 cubic feet. The larger size of the Trailblazer should give it an increase in cargo space over the Trax, but the available space with the front seats up is 25.3 cu.ft., which is only a slight difference. With the rear seats folded down, the cargo space becomes 54.4 cubic feet.

The Trax and the Trailblazer both seat five people. Both models come with either a 6-way manual power driver seat or an 8-way power driver seat, depending on the trim. The 2-way power lumbar adjuster is available in the ACTIV trim on the Trax, while the feature is either available or standard on all of the other Trailblazer trims.

Infotainment and Connectivity

In the 21st century, technology goes with driving like peanut butter goes with jelly. The center of that nexus in most vehicles is the infotainment system. In the Trax, the LS and 1RS trims get an 8-inch touchscreen, which is upgraded to 11 inches on the LT, ACTIV, and 2RS trims. A four-speaker audio system comes with the LS and 1RS trims, while the LT, ACTIV, and 2RS trims get a boost to six speakers. Wireless charging is available on the LT, ACTIV, and 2RS trims.

The Trailblazer has an 11-inch touchscreen available across trims. The standard stereo has six speakers, but the ACTIV and RS models can upgrade to a seven-speaker Bose audio system with the Adaptive Cruise and Sound Package. Wireless charging is available in the LT, ACTIV, and RS trims. Both models have connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch Driver Information Center is also standard for both the Trax and the Trailblazer. Wi-Fi hotspots are standard in both models, across all trims.

Both Models Feature the Chevy Safety Assist Suite

Both the Trax and the Trailblazer come standard with the Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of driver assistance features aimed at providing top-quality safety for you and your passengers. Alerts will inform you of imminent collisions, pedestrians, or obstacles around the car. If you’re not able to react in time, the brakes will be applied automatically, or the steering will be gently corrected. Lane Keep Assist and the Following Distance Indicator help with two bad driving habits: lane drift and tailgating. IntelliBeam automatic high beams will take the guesswork out of when your headlamps should be on, adjusting them automatically based on weather conditions, traffic, and speed.

The Teen Driver package is also standard on both models. This suite of features is aimed at helping the youngest driver in your family learn safe habits. Parents can set a driving speed alert with maximum speed limits, radio volume limits, and the industry-first Buckle To Drive, which prevents the car from shifting into drive for twenty seconds, along with visual and audio alerts to buckle up. The in-vehicle report card will help you see what your teenager has been doing behind the wheel, an important tool for discussing safe behaviors on the road.

So, Which Chevy Subcompact SUV Comes Out on Top?

After looking at where the Trax and Trailblazer are similar and where they’re different, you might be wondering who the winner of this comparison is. The answer is you. Whether you go with the Trailblazer or the Trax, you’re getting an excellent vehicle that comes with the features to fulfill your needs.

When deciding which model is best for you, it comes down to assessing your needs as a driver, your budget, and what features you want the most. Each of these models has awards to put in the Chevy trophy case, along with many satisfied drivers. Most importantly, both the Trax and the Trailblazer uphold the Chevrolet commitment to making quality vehicles meant to go the extra distance and last for many miles.