Affordable Chevy SUVs
Chevrolet recently unveiled the all new 2024 Chevy Trax, the new bargain-priced leader of compact SUVs, with an msrp of just $20,400. Many shoppers will be pleased to learn, however, that Chevy also has bigger SUVs to more comfortably fit a family, some dogs, and then some. While the Tahoe and Suburban have become somewhat out of reach for the average American family, starting at $54,200 and $57,200, respectively, Chevrolet has a family of three mid-size SUVs to fill in the missing middle. Here's a look at what Chevy has to offer.
Equinox
The Equinox is the second best selling General Motors car after the Silverado, and for good reason; the Equinox packs a lot of punch into its $26,600 base msrp, handily undercutting competition like the RAV4 ($28,275 msrp) and CR-V ($29,500 msrp) by many thousands of dollars. Available in eight colors, including a beautiful harvest bronze metallic and optional maple brown leather seats, you can get yourself a loaded-to-the-gills Equinox for $35,000. Chevy offers attractive APR’s on the Equinox as well, as low as 2.1% APR for qualified buyers; Chevy is more willing to deal on the Equinox because it is an older model than much of the competition, having debuted in the 2018 model year. Formerly produced in Ontario, Canada until 2022, the Equinox is now made in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, a part of how the Equinox can be such a value-leader.
All Equinoxes come with a 6 speed conventional automatic transmission, and a 1.5L turbo four cylinder engine with start/stop fuel saving technology; Equinox is rated at 30MPG highway and 24MPG city. 4 Wheel ABS are standard and front-wheel drive is the default configuration; all wheel drive is available on all trims for $1,600 more. The base Equinox LS comes with Apple Carplay / Android Auto compatability, as well as LED headlamps, 17 inch aluminum wheels, 4-way manual seats, Bluetooth, USB charging ports, keyless entry and start, power windows and locks, and single zone air conditioning climate control.
LT ($27,700 msrp) Trim adds a power a power driver seat, a multi-color driver information center, body color mirrors, tinted rear glass, and illuminated mirror visors. The sporty RS package ($30,700 msrp) adds a power liftgate, parking assist, LED tailamps, and black RS 19 inch aluminum wheels, black RS grille, and black Chevy bowtie. It also adds remote start, dual zone auto climate control, heated front seats, and a wrapped steering wheel. The top of the line Premier ($34,795 msrp) has 18 inch machined-face aluminum wheels, hands-free power liftgate, an 8-inch diagonal color touch screen infotainment system, seat/mirror memory, heated steering wheel, fog lamps, chrome-surround door handles, and most importantly, perforated leather seats.
Blazer
GM has two SUVs at a similar price point which are not really similar in any other way. The first is the Blazer, a 5 seat crossover starting at $35,400 msrp for 2LT front wheel drive. It has a tap-and-go 10.2 inch touchscreen, a hands-free liftgate, remote start, and a two toned black roof. LED head and tailights are standard on all models, as are daytime running LED lights. All-wheel drive is available for an extra $2,700. The Blazer is a bit more the driver/urban explorer of the two.
A 2.0L turbo and a 9 speed automatic are standard, with 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An optional 3.6L V6 has 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, available on the 3LT and Premier trims for just $500 extra, and standard on the sporty RS trim. The RS also has an available twin clutch all wheel drive system. 3LT ($39,300 msrp) adds a power programmable liftgate, Driver Confidence Package (parking assist and lane change alert), wrapped steering wheel, 6 way power front seat, and perforated leather seats all around. The sporty RS model ($42,800 msrp) has black exterior accents, black leather seats with red or blue accents, and unique 20 inch wheels (21 inch available). The top of the luxury heap Premier ($42,800 msrp) has a chrome front grille, silver roof rails, chrome accents, 20 inch silver faced wheels, and Jet Black/Maple Sugar leather seats.
Traverse
Chevy’s other mid-$30,000 starting-msrp SUV is the Traverse, which has seats for seven or eight depending on seat configuration, starting at $34,520 msrp for 2023 LS front-wheel-drive trim, a compelling value for a three row SUV, undercutting the Ford Explorer msrp by about $2,000. 2023 is the last model year for the current iteration of the Traverse, as a brand new 2024 model year is yet to hit dealers; be sure to look for closeout deals on the outgoing 2023. Chevy has six trim levels to make the Traverse appealing to buyers from all walks of life. A 9-speed automatic mated to a 310 horsepower V6 is standard across all models. Base LS trim has deep tinted glass, seats for 8 (2nd row bench), body color door handles, LED head and tailamps, 18 inch wheels, keyless entry and start, power windows and locks, steering wheel controls, 7 inch touchscreen infotainment system, and tri-zone automatic climate control. All wheel drive is a $2,000 option.
Beyond entry-level trim, Chevrolet has two LT models, one with cloth seats, and the other with leather, starting at $37,045 msrp and $40,740, respectively. LT adds lane change alerts, cross traffic alerts, silver painted aluminum wheels, power driver seat, seats for 7 (captain’s chairs) with 8 optional, power liftgate, heated power mirrors, wrapped steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and multi-color driver information center. Up-market trims include the sporty RS ($45,045 msrp), the luxury Premier ($47,200 msrp), and the top-of-the-line High Country ($52,000 msrp). RS gets 20-inch black aluminum wheels and a Bose 10 speaker sound system. Premier adds memory settings for power front seats, mirrors, and steering column, as well as an upgraded infotainment system, adaptive cruise, hands free power liftgate, and handful of leather trim color options. The High country steps up with 20 inch polished aluminum wheels and exclusive jet black perforated leather interior with clove accents.
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