Trax vs Equinox: Which Chevy SUV Should You Buy

October 6th, 2026 by

2026 Chevy Trax parked next to a Chevy Equinox for a size comparison

Trax vs Equinox is one of the most common questions we hear from shoppers who know they want a Chevy SUV but are not sure which size actually fits their life. Both are genuinely good vehicles, and the honest answer depends less on which one is “better” and more on which one matches how you actually plan to use it.

This guide walks through the real differences in size, engine, drivetrain, and cargo space, so you can decide with actual numbers instead of guessing.

Both are genuinely solid vehicles in their own right, so the goal here is matching you to the right one rather than declaring an overall winner.

Size and Cargo Space

This is the difference most shoppers notice first, and it shapes almost everything else in this comparison.

The Trax measures about 178.6 inches long and 71.7 inches wide, offering 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 54.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Equinox is noticeably larger, at a little over 183 inches long and under 75 inches wide, with 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 63.5 cubic feet folded.

That size difference also shows up in everyday driving. The Trax’s smaller footprint makes it easier to park in tight spots, while the Equinox’s extra length and width translate into more interior room for both passengers and cargo.

Important note: The Equinox offers roughly 4 more cubic feet behind the seat and nearly 10 more cubic feet folded down. That difference is noticeable for anyone regularly hauling groceries, luggage, or gear.

Engine and Fuel Economy

Every 2026 Trax uses a 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Every 2026 Equinox uses a larger 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

The Trax’s smaller engine and lighter weight give it an efficiency edge, returning approximately 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway compared to the Equinox’s approximately 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The Equinox’s larger engine makes up for the fuel economy gap with more usable power for passing, merging, and carrying a fuller load.

Neither engine feels underpowered for typical daily driving, but the difference becomes more noticeable once you load up either vehicle with passengers and cargo. The Equinox has more reserve power to draw on in that situation.

Pro tip: If fuel economy is your top priority and you do not need extra power or cargo room, the Trax’s smaller engine genuinely outperforms the Equinox at the pump. If you regularly drive with a full cabin or heavier cargo, the Equinox’s additional power evens things out in daily driving.

All-Wheel Drive: Only One Offers It

This is one of the clearest, most decisive differences between the two. The Trax is front-wheel drive only, with no all-wheel drive option on any trim. The Equinox offers all-wheel drive across its lineup, in addition to front-wheel drive.

This single fact settles the decision for a lot of shoppers before anything else in this guide even comes into play. If AWD is non-negotiable, the comparison effectively ends here.

Important note: If all-wheel drive is a requirement for you, whether for winter driving or general peace of mind, that decision is made for you. The Equinox is the only one of the two that offers it.

Towing Capability

Neither of these is a towing vehicle, but the gap between them is still worth knowing. The Trax is not rated to tow at all. Chevrolet does not recommend using it to pull a trailer of any size. The Equinox, when equipped with all-wheel drive, is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds, enough for a small utility trailer or personal watercraft.

Even 1,500 pounds is modest as towing ratings go, but it is the difference between being able to pull a small trailer occasionally and not being able to pull one at all.

Additional question: Can I tow anything with a Chevy Trax? No. The Trax is not rated for towing in any configuration. If towing even a small trailer is part of your plans, look at the Equinox or a larger SUV instead.

Trim Lineup and Technology

The Trax offers five trims: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV, giving budget-focused shoppers a genuinely affordable entry point along with sportier and more rugged-styled options further up the lineup. The Equinox offers three trims: LT, RS, and ACTIV, each with a more comfort-forward baseline than the Trax’s base LS.

Both lineups share Chevy Safety Assist as standard equipment and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across every trim. The Equinox’s standard 11.3-inch touchscreen is larger than the Trax’s base 8-inch display, though the Trax’s LT and higher trims step up to a comparable larger screen as well.

This means the Trax’s simpler base trim is not necessarily giving up meaningful safety technology, only some comfort and screen-size features that later trims restore.

Pro tip: If touchscreen size and standard comfort features matter to you at the base trim level, the Equinox LT gives you more standard equipment than the Trax LS. If you are comfortable stepping up a trim or two on the Trax to get similar features, the price gap narrows considerably.

 

Trax vs Equinox: Which Chevy SUV Should You Buy

Which One Fits You

Both SUVs are well-built, and the right choice depends on priorities rather than which one is objectively superior.
Neither one is a compromise choice. Chevy built both to serve genuinely different buyers well, rather than positioning one as a lesser version of the other.

Choose Trax If…

You want the most affordable entry point into a Chevy SUV, prioritize fuel economy above all else, or do not need all-wheel drive or towing capability.

This tends to describe buyers who mostly drive alone or with one other passenger, and who value low running costs over maximum interior room.

Choose Equinox If…

You want more cargo space and passenger room, need all-wheel drive for winter driving, or want the option to tow a small trailer occasionally.

This tends to describe buyers with a family, a longer commute with more passengers, or anyone who wants extra flexibility built into the vehicle from the start.

Quick Reference: Trax vs Equinox

Here is a side-by-side look at the differences covered above.

Trax Equinox
Engine 1.2L turbo 3-cyl: 137 hp / 162 lb-ft 1.5L turbo 4-cyl: 175 hp / 184 lb-ft
Drivetrain FWD only, no AWD available FWD or available AWD
Fuel economy (approx.) 28 city / 32 highway 26 city / 29 highway
Cargo space 25.6 cu ft / 54.1 cu ft folded 29.8 cu ft / 63.5 cu ft folded
Towing Not rated to tow Up to 1,500 lbs (AWD)
Trim levels LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, ACTIV (5 trims) LT, RS, ACTIV (3 trims)

See Both Trims in Person

Photos and spec sheets only tell part of the story. Come sit in both the Trax and the Equinox at our lot in Maysville and see which one actually fits your daily life. Our guide for first-time SUV buyers covers the Equinox lineup in more depth if you want additional detail.

Curious how the Equinox handles winter driving? Read our guide to used AWD SUVs for winter. Check your trade-in value, or call us at (606) 564-6181 with any questions before your visit.

Posted in Trax