Chevy SUV Comparison
2026 Chevy Trailblazer vs Equinox NWA AR
Two Chevy SUVs, one size apart. Here's an honest, side-by-side look at the 2026 Trailblazer and Equinox on price, power, space, and efficiency, so Northwest Arkansas drivers can pick the right one. We sell both.
Trailblazer: subcompact, from ~$23,300
Equinox: compact, from ~$28,800
Both offer AWD
Same 3/36 + 5/60 warranty
The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox are close cousins in Chevy's SUV lineup, but they sit one size class apart. The Trailblazer is a subcompact SUV built around efficiency, a smaller footprint, and a lower entry price; the Equinox is a compact SUV that steps up in passenger room, cargo space, standard power, and screen size. Neither is "better" outright, they're built for different priorities and budgets.
Because George Nunnally Chevrolet sells and services both here in Bentonville, our goal isn't to push one over the other, it's to match you with the right Chevy for how you actually drive. The comparison below uses manufacturer figures for both, and you can test drive the Trailblazer and the Equinox back-to-back any time.
The Smaller One
2026 Trailblazer Overview
The Trailblazer is Chevy's subcompact SUV: roughly 174 inches long, seating five, and offered in four trims (LS, LT, ACTIV, RS). It runs a turbocharged 3-cylinder, either a standard 1.2L Turbo (137 hp) or an available 1.3L Turbo (155 hp), with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on the 1.3L. It's the value and efficiency play, and it offers a genuinely rugged ACTIV trim at a lower price point. See the full Trailblazer overview for more.
The Bigger One
2026 Equinox Overview
The Equinox is Chevy's compact SUV, a full size class up from the Trailblazer. It's about 183 inches long, seats five with noticeably more room, and comes in three trims (LT, RS, ACTIV). Every Equinox uses a single turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder making 175 horsepower, paired with a CVT (front-wheel drive) or an 8-speed automatic (all-wheel drive). It leans toward space, standard power, and a larger 11.3-inch screen with Google Built-In.
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain and Efficiency Comparison
| Spec | Trailblazer | Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 1.2L Turbo I3 / available 1.3L Turbo I3 | 1.5L Turbo I4 (single engine) |
| Horsepower | 137 hp (1.2L) / 155 hp (1.3L) | 175 hp |
| Torque | 162 / 174 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (FWD) / 203 lb-ft (AWD) |
| Transmission | CVT (FWD) / 9-speed auto (AWD) | CVT (FWD) / 8-speed auto (AWD) |
| EPA MPG (FWD) | Up to 30 city / 31 hwy / 30 combined (1.2L) | 26 city / 29 hwy / 27 combined |
| Max towing | Up to 1,000 lb | 800 lb (FWD) / up to 1,500 lb (AWD + Trailering Package) |
The takeaway: the Trailblazer's base 1.2L is the efficiency leader on paper, edging the Equinox by a few mpg, while the Equinox's single 1.5L gives every trim more standard power and a higher towing ceiling when properly equipped. A front-drive base Equinox actually tows a bit less (800 lb) than a Trailblazer; the Equinox only pulls ahead on towing with all-wheel drive and the Trailering Package.
Space & Tech
Size, Interior, and Technology
| Spec | Trailblazer | Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Length | ~174 in | ~183 in |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 25.3 cu ft | 29.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo (seats folded) | 54.4 cu ft | 63.5 cu ft |
| Touchscreen | 11-inch, wireless CarPlay / Android Auto | 11.3-inch with Google Built-In, wireless CarPlay / Android Auto |
| Handy party trick | Fold-flat front passenger seat for items up to 8.5 ft | Standard Drive Mode Selector (Normal / Snow / Off-Road) |
The Equinox is the roomier hauler with the bigger screen and Google Built-In, the Trailblazer counters with a clever fold-flat front seat that swallows long items most compact SUVs can't. Both come standard with an 11-inch digital driver display and wireless smartphone connectivity. For the complete measurement set on the Trailblazer, see the specs & dimensions page.
Pricing & Value
Pricing and Value
| Trailblazer | Equinox | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | About $23,300 (LS FWD) | About $28,800 (LT FWD) |
| Trims | LS, LT, ACTIV, RS (4) | LT, RS, ACTIV (3) |
| AWD upcharge | Available with the 1.3L engine | +$2,000 on any trim |
On a like-for-like basis (both starting MSRPs exclude destination freight), the Trailblazer comes in about $5,500 less to start, a meaningful gap if budget is the deciding factor. The Equinox asks more but gives you a bigger vehicle and more standard power for the money. MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment; dealer sets final price. Pricing moves periodically, so check current inventory for both.
Trailblazer Strengths
Where the Trailblazer Fits Best
- Lower price, entry to top. It starts roughly $5,500 below the Equinox and stays the more affordable choice across the lineup.
- Best base efficiency. The 1.2L front-drive Trailblazer's EPA ratings edge the Equinox by a few mpg.
- Smaller, easier footprint. About nine inches shorter, so it's easier to park and thread through tight spots and city streets.
- More ways to spec it. Four trims and two engines, including a lower-cost rugged ACTIV and a sporty RS.
- Fold-flat front seat. Carries items up to 8.5 feet long inside, a Trailblazer signature in this pairing.
Equinox Strengths
Where the Equinox Fits Best
- More room. A full size class up, with more passenger space and about 9 cubic feet more max cargo (63.5 vs 54.4).
- More standard power. Every Equinox makes 175 hp, more than either Trailblazer engine, with stronger torque.
- Bigger, smarter screen. An 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In (Maps, Assistant, Play Store).
- Higher towing ceiling. Up to 1,500 lb with AWD and the Trailering Package, versus 1,000 lb for the Trailblazer.
- Standard Drive Mode Selector. Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes on every trim for 2026.
The Verdict
Which Chevy SUV Should You Choose?
| If you… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Want the lowest price and best base efficiency | Trailblazer |
| Mostly drive in the city and want a compact, easy-to-park SUV | Trailblazer |
| Need more passenger and cargo room for a family | Equinox |
| Want more standard power, the bigger screen, or to tow closer to 1,500 lb | Equinox |
Simplest way to think about it: pick the Trailblazer if price, efficiency, and a smaller footprint lead your list, and the Equinox if you want more room, more power, and a higher towing ceiling and don't mind paying for the size. Both give you available all-wheel drive, standard Chevy Safety Assist, the same 3-year/36,000-mile and 5-year/60,000-mile warranty coverage, and a complimentary first maintenance visit, so you're getting a well-backed Chevy either way.
Drive Both
Test Drive Both at George Nunnally Chevrolet
The fastest way to decide is to drive them back-to-back. At George Nunnally Chevrolet in Bentonville, you can compare the Trailblazer and Equinox side by side, and our team can walk drivers from Farmington, Lincoln, Elm Springs, West Fork, and across Northwest Arkansas through which fits best. You can also get pre-approved before you visit.
Questions
Trailblazer vs Equinox FAQs
What's the main difference between the Trailblazer and Equinox?
Size and price. The Trailblazer is a smaller subcompact SUV that starts lower (about $23,300) and prioritizes efficiency, while the Equinox is a compact SUV that starts higher (about $28,800) and offers more room, more standard power, and a bigger screen. Both are five-seat Chevy SUVs with available all-wheel drive.
Is the Equinox bigger than the Trailblazer?
Yes. The Equinox is roughly nine inches longer (about 183 inches versus 174) and a size class up. It offers more cargo room, 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 with them folded, compared to 25.3 and 54.4 in the Trailblazer, plus more passenger space.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Trailblazer's base 1.2L front-wheel-drive is the efficiency leader, rated up to 30 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, versus 26 city and 29 highway for the front-wheel-drive Equinox. The gap narrows with the Trailblazer's 1.3L engine and with all-wheel drive on either model.
Which is cheaper, the Trailblazer or the Equinox?
The Trailblazer. On the same basis (both starting prices excluding destination freight), it starts about $5,500 less than the Equinox and remains the more affordable option across the lineup. The Equinox costs more but gives you a larger vehicle with more standard power.
Which one can tow more?
The Equinox has the higher ceiling at up to 1,500 pounds when equipped with all-wheel drive and the Trailering Package, versus 1,000 pounds for the Trailblazer. Note that a front-wheel-drive Equinox is rated at 800 pounds, slightly less than the Trailblazer, so the Equinox's towing advantage comes with the AWD setup.
Next Step
Still deciding? Drive them both.
Compare the Trailblazer and Equinox in person, our team across Northwest Arkansas will help you land on the right Chevy.
Explore the Trailblazer Research Hub
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.