Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick Georgetown

Sep 8, 2022

With the Trax and Equinox, Chevrolet offers two compact crossover options. Both of these vehicles have many positive points to make them attractive for a range of car buyers. Our Chevy experts here at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick in Georgetown have put together a comparison to help you decide whether the Equinox or Trax is the right choice for you.

Trax vs. Equinox: Engine and Performance

The 2022 Equinox has a touch more power under the hood than its smaller cousin, the 2022 Trax . The Equinox’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine can put out 170 horsepower, while the Trax’s engine is good for 155 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

While the Equinox enjoys more power, the Trax is slightly more fuel efficient. It achieves 32 mpg on the highway compared to 31 mpg for the Equinox. The fuel efficiency ratings for both crossovers drop by 1 mpg if you upgrade to all-wheel drive.

Trax vs. Equinox: Passenger and Cargo Space

As you’d expect, the compact Equinox has more interior space than the subcompact Trax. Buyers who need the additional room will prefer the Equinox, while the Trax may suit you just fine if space comes at a premium where you usually park.

Both the Equinox and Trax have adult-friendly seating in the front and rear. They can also accommodate child seating thanks to two sets of LATCH connectors in the rear rows.

The Trax offers around 18 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row. That’s usually adequate for a weekend’s worth of luggage or a large load of groceries. The Equinox offers quite a bit more space, with 29.9 cubic feet at the rear. With the second row of seats folded flat, the Equinox offers approximately 63 cubic feet compared to just over 48 cubic feet in the Trax.

Trax vs. Equinox: Infotainment and Safety Features

The standard infotainment systems in both Chevy crossovers are quite similar, but the Equinox has more optional upgrades on offer than the Trax. Both vehicles come with a 7-inch screen and six-speaker stereo in their base trims. They also feature smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trax comes equipped with a Wi-Fi hotspot, so you can stay connected wherever you go, while the Equinox includes satellite radio.

Higher trims in the Equinox allow you to access a larger 8-inch screen and a premium seven-speaker stereo. You can also add wireless device charging, so you can keep your phone’s battery full while you’re on the road. By contrast, no major infotainment upgrades are available in the Trax.

The Equinox also offers a wider variety of driver safety features than the Trax. The only standard driver safety feature in the Trax is a rearview camera, while the Equinox has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. It also has Teen Driver technology, which allows you to control how younger family members can drive your crossover. For example, you can impose speed limits and restrict how loud the stereo can go.

Optional safety upgrades with the Trax include rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. In the Equinox, you can get a surround-view parking camera, which provides an aerial view of your SUV on your screen, so you can park with confidence.

Trax vs. Equinox: Trims and Pricing

Buyers shopping on a modest budget are likely to prefer the Trax over the Equinox. Chevy’s smallest SUV carries an MSRP of $21,400, which is substantially lower than the Equinox’s $25,800. The advantage of spending more money to get the Equinox is that it comes with more tech features and a larger cabin.

The Equinox is available in four trims, while the Trax only has two. This reflects the fact that there are more luxury add-ons on offer in the Equinox’s lineup than with Trax models.

In the Equinox’s base trim, you can choose to add a power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors. The next trim is the LT, which gets you a driver’s seat with power adjustments and allows you to add the larger 8-inch screen and a navigation system. The third trim option is the RS, and it includes dark exterior accents, heated front seats, and 19-inch wheels.

The highest trim offered with the Equinox is called Premier, and it’s the ideal choice for buyers who like an upscale ride. Equinox Premiers come with leather upholstery, an 8-inch screen, and optional heated rear seats. A range of driver safety tech is also available.

The Trax’s trim lineup is much more modest. The base LS trim includes keyless entry and cloth upholstery. You can opt to include some additional features, such as remote start and cruise control. The range-topping LT trim adds synthetic leather accents to your upholstery, cruise control, and heated mirrors. You can add various cabin upgrades, including synthetic leather upholstery, power adjustments for the driver’s seat, and heated front seats.

Choosing Between the Chevy Trax and Equinox

These two crossovers cater to different types of car buyers. The Trax is a great option for a first-time car buyer or someone who is working with a tight budget. It has all the modern technology you’d expect in a new vehicle, including a touch screen and stereo, but retains a competitive starting price. The engine provides adequate power for daily driving and achieves reliable fuel economy, helping you keep costs down at the gas pump.

The Equinox will attract those of you who require more space in the cabin than the Trax can offer. It’s also a good option if you’d like more choice for optional upgrades. The four trim levels offered in the Equinox lineup allow you to opt for a functional cabin with cloth upholstery or a luxurious one with heated front seats and leather upholstery.

We hope our vehicle comparison has given you some pointers for your next Chevy purchase. Are there any questions you have that we haven’t answered yet? Would you like to arrange a test drive of an Equinox or Trax in Georgetown? Feel free to contact our Chevy dealership today, and one of our team members will be happy to help you.