Seniors have different needs than others, and this goes even for their choice of vehicle. There is an understanding in the community that seniors have needs that are different than those of the younger members of our society. This applies to vehicles as well, as seniors need vehicles that are easy to enter and exit, provide great fuel economy, and are safe, reliable, dependable, and affordable. More and more seniors are seeing the benefits of buying SUVs, as they are roomier and easier to enter and exit than sedans, while also being a great value – this is all especially true of some recent Chevy SUVs. So what is the best Chevy SUV for seniors? It really comes down to a choice of two models, the 2021 Chevy Trax and the 2021 Chevy Equinox. Both of these small crossover SUVs provide a great deal of value at an affordable price while also affording savings at the gas pump with their exceptional fuel economy. Let’s take a look at both to help you decide which of the two suits them the best.
Two Great Chevy SUVs at Affordable Prices
The Trax and the Equinox are two of the most affordable SUVs on the market. The 2021 Trax has a base MSRP of $21,400, while the 2021 Equinox starts at an MSRP of $23,800. Even if you want a higher trim level on either SUV, the price points remain affordable, with the top trim Trax LT having an MSRP of $23,200, while the top Equinox Premier has an MSRP of $31,400. If you were to compare them to other crossover SUVs in their category, you would see that these Chevy top trim prices are comparable to the MSRP on the base model on a number of vehicles from their competitors. Choosing either of these two will give you great value.
Exceptional Fuel Economy
A major issue for most drivers is fuel economy. Fuel prices have been fluctuating upwards of late, and the only way to deal with this expense is to find an SUV that gets great mileage. Fortunately, if you choose a 2021 Chevy Trax or a 2021 Chevy Equinox, you will be getting an SUV that won’t hurt you at the gas pump. In fact, the Trax and the Equinox with front-wheel drive actually get the same EPA estimated fuel ratings.
Whether you choose the 2021 Trax with its 1.4-liter Turbocharged I-4 gas engine or the 2021 Equinox with its 1.5-liter Turbocharged I-4 gas engine, you will get 26 miles per gallon in city driving or 31 miles per gallon on the highway. If you opt for the available all-wheel drive, you will see those numbers slip slightly, but each vehicle still provides exceptional fuel economy. The 2021 all-wheel drive Trax gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway, while the 2021 all-wheel drive Equinox will give you up to 25 miles per gallon in city driving and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Superior Safety Features
Another concern for many senior drivers is vehicle safety. Unfortunately, as we get older, our reflexes will slow down a bit. This is where active safety features can truly help out drivers, especially those who are senior citizens. Chevy understands this, which is why it has equipped both SUVs with an impressive array of standard safety features.
The 2021 Chevy Trax is one of the safest models in its vehicle class, having received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association. This agency is the one that performs crash tests on new vehicles, looking at how they fare for passenger safety in head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, and rollover events. The 2021 Trax also comes equipped with a standard rear vision camera, airbags, and anti-lock brakes. For even more safety, you can opt for a number of active driver-assist features.
With an eye towards improving vehicle safety, Chevy has equipped each 2021 Equinox model with its Chevy Safety Assist suite of active safety technologies. This consists of six different safety features that will make driving the Equinox safer and easier than ever. Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking will warn you when the system detects a potential collision with the vehicle in front of you. It will also engage the brakes to reduce the chances or effects of a crash. Front Pedestrian Braking will automatically engage the Equinox’s brakes if a pedestrian is detected passing in front of your vehicle.
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning will warn you if it detects you are drifting out of your lane and will even apply steering inputs to help keep your Equinox in its lane. The Following Distance Indicator will warn you if the system thinks you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, reducing the chances of a front-end collision. IntelliBeam Auto High Beam Assist will automatically turn your high beam headlights on if the system detects that you are driving in a very dark area at night. It will also automatically turn them off when it detects another vehicle approaching you or if you enter a better-lighted area. Finally, the Rear Vision Camera will help you more safely handle your Equinox when you put your SUV in reverse.
Incomparable Roominess in Two Small Crossovers
The 2021 Trax and 2021 Equinox are incredibly roomy for such cute, sporty little SUVs. You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the Trax has a full 92.8 cubic feet of passenger space inside its body and can fit up to five passengers comfortably. The front row provides 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.8 inches of legroom to you and whoever is riding shotgun, making it easy for senior drivers to get into and out of their Trax. The rear row is also quite comfortable, with 38.8 inches of headroom and 35.7 inches of legroom, which is perfect for when you need to transport your grandchildren. The Trax also has plenty of space for your stuff, with 18.7 cubic feet in the trunk. This can easily expand to 48.4 cubic feet by simply folding down the rear seats in your Trax.
If you want a little more room, then you should consider the Equinox. This SUV has a full 103.5 cubic feet space in its roomy passenger compartment. That is plenty of space for up to five passengers. The front row of the Equinox is also spacious, with 40 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom. The rear seats also provide plenty of space for passengers, with 38.5 inches of headroom and 39.9 inches of legroom. That will make it easy for you and your passengers to enter and exit your Equinox. If you need to transport some things, the Equinox provides a full 29.9 cubic feet of space in the trunk that you can increase to 63.9 cubic feet with a simple adjustment to fold down the rear row of seats.
Two Perfect Chevy SUVs for Senior Drivers
Chevrolet may not have designed the Trax and Equinox with senior drivers in mind, but you could have fooled me. These two roomy Chevy SUVs make it easy for retirees to get around town safely and fuel-efficiently, with plenty of room for spouses, children, grandchildren, and friends, not to mention your belongings. Not just that, but the pricing of both the 2021 Chevy Trax and 2021 Chevy Equinox can perfectly fit the budgets of seniors on a fixed income. When you think of SUVs for seniors, the Chevy Trax and Chevy Equinox should be the two that come to mind first and foremost.
