Sport utility vehicles, commonly referred to as SUVs, are becoming the most popular vehicle type in the world. Every year, it seems, more and more drivers choose SUVs for their versatility, cargo capacity, seating, and creature comforts. Whether you just need the cargo space, have a new family and need extra space, a growing family and more kids to drive to school, or even just like the idea of having the biggest car on the block, there are so many kinds of SUVs to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start looking. Chevy, in recent years, has moved away from the development of hatchbacks and sedans and set its sights on a fleet of versatile sport utility vehicles to suit the ever changing and diverse lifestyles of their customers. With their diverse lineup, they have ensured that every family and driver has reason to stop and take a look at the wide variety of Chevy SUVs available.
Compact Crossovers
The compact crossover class of SUVs are great for people that don’t need to spend a ton of money on a decked out vehicle and appreciate the extra cargo but don’t need a massive passenger van. Chevy offers three options that are impressively affordable with great styling and features for SUV drivers looking to be on the lighter side of size and power.
The Chevy Trax is a small, urban crossover. This particular model is designed to appeal to young drivers and couples. It provides good cargo space with up to 48.4 cu.ft. with the rear seats folded. If you are a couple who don’t regularly need the back seat but go camping or travel frequently, this is a great fit. The Trax also sports great versatility with a little more agility and pep than the average SUV. It isn’t as fun to drive as some of the higher scale competition, but the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is plenty capable and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, as an urban SUV its smaller size is a huge help in accessing smaller parking spaces. Overall the Trax is affordable, sporty, and packed with fun infotainment like standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 4G wifi.
The Equinox is slightly larger than the Trax and is aimed at small or growing families who need a little extra storage. The Equinox has lots of great features for comfort that improve the drive quality overall, infotainment is delivered on a standard 7-inch display, and safety features including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and lane departure warning system. For all of the standard features it comes with, the Equinox is still appreciably affordable, with room at higher trims to spend a little extra for more tech and creature comforts like ventilated seats.
The Trailblazer, once an off-road rugged vehicle is no longer the 4×4 SUV of the past. The Trailblazer has fallen more in line with the urban/suburban SUV that the rest of Chevy has developed towards. Despite not having the sport capability, it does have a very eye-catching sporty and rugged exterior look. Inside it comes with lots of great features for safety and infotainment in a somewhat underwhelmingly upholstered interior. Regardless, the Trailblazer is a super affordable vehicle between subcompact and a compact SUV. With an MSRP starting below $20,000 it is competitive for what it offers, but if you are hoping for something for any kind of off-roading, the only trailblazing you’ll be doing will be strictly urban.
Midsize SUVs
The next category up from the compact crossover class is the midsize SUVs. These are all slightly larger than the previous models and generally have more power to provide decent towing and capability that the more urban-focused compacts appeal to. Coming up first is the newly redesigned Chevy Blazer.
The Chevrolet Blazer was reborn two years ago as an all-new 5-passenger SUV. It has a sleek new design to usher it into the modern era since its 1980s iterations. The 2021 Blazer slots between the smaller Equinox and three-row family-oriented Traverse in Chevy’s lineup. It’s also part of a new wave of midsize two-row crossover SUVs. The Blazer is primarily aimed at a slightly upscale crowd who may not need as much storage but are interested in something that looks impressive with a little more power under the hood.
The Chevy Traverse is a great midsize SUV that is a little larger than the competition. This is capable of carrying a lot of people and is definitely a midsize SUV ideal for medium-sized families with room for their kids and all their stuff with a smart fuel economy rating. It comes with appealing features, although active safety features, including driver aids cost extra, which cuts a little close at families who are more concerned with protecting precious cargo. The expandable storage space with folding seats is nice and adds to an already spacious rear cargo area if you are lighter on passengers. It is a little pricier than the Blazer for a lot more storage and passenger space. Comparatively less boutique and more practical than the new and improved Blazer.
Full-Size SUV
For the Chevy lineup of full-size SUVs, the Chevy Tahoe is a class favorite. With tons of storage space, the Tahoe is built with an incredible suspension and three powerful engine options that basically makes it like a truck for people who need to haul kids and luggage. The standard 5.3L V8 engine is something most pickup trucks would be happy to have in addition to a larger 6.2L V8 option; the 2021 Tahoe also has a 3.0L turbodiesel engine option for maximum strength while sacrificing some agility.
Most large families find exactly what they need with the full-sized Tahoe. You certainly get what you pay for, and the 2021 Tahoe MSRP starts at $49,000. With that said, you get some decent perks like a high quality feeling interior complete with high-end material options, a fully loaded infotainment center with a huge 10-inch touchscreen as part of the standard bundle, and good off-road power for taking the family on a hike or camping trip while trailering a camper or boat.
The Suburban is Chevy’s absolutely massive giant of an SUV. This family hauler has an incredible amount of cargo space, a brutal amount of torque, and room for two families (up to 9 people). The Suburban is considerably more expensive than any other SUV in its class, with MSRP starting around $52,000 and only going up as you climb the trim levels. If you have the family size and budget for this, you might as well start searching at the LT trim because you can get access to some incredible luxury options.
An SUV for Every Season
Chevy has provided a great assortment of SUV options to appeal to just about every driver and family type in the market for a versatile and roomy cargo vehicle. Chevy’s SUVs like the Tahoe are strong enough to haul heavy gear into parts unknown as long as you don’t mind getting your vehicle a little dirty. You will be hard-pressed to admit there isn’t one Chevy SUV that would fit your needs.
