What Is Chevy's Best Midsize SUV?
Blazer or Traverse: which is the best Chevy Midsize SUV? Find out how the two compare here.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 2022 Chevrolet lineup has three midsize SUVs: the Equinox, the Traverse, and the Blazer. The Blazer is somewhat more compact but earns high marks for exterior styling—but if you’re looking for an option that doesn’t sacrifice passenger seating or cargo capacity, the Traverse is the option for you.
In the world of SUVs, the midsize is the Goldilocks option: not too big, and not too small. The best ones offer ample space for passengers and cargo and have more powerful performance capabilities to boot when compared with crossovers or subcompact SUVs.
When it comes to Chevrolet’s midsize SUV lineup, what are your options, and how do they compare? Here to answer these questions for you is
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Does Chevy have a midsize SUV?
Indeed—Chevrolet has two midsize SUVs in its 2022 lineup. They are:
What makes a midsize SUV?
What exactly is a mid-size SUV, and what sets it apart from standard SUVs?
While the automotive world has comparably more rigid definitions for distinctions like compact, mid-size, and full-size when it comes to sedans, it’s a little more fluid when it comes to SUVs. Essentially, the mid-size SUV is a middle ground between compact and full-size SUVs.
But how do mid-size SUVs compare to crossovers?
Between the two, you’ll generally get more interior space and performance power from a mid-size SUV, while a crossover tends to offer better gas mileage. Additionally, crossovers are usually built on a car chassis or frame, making them more lightweight, while mid-size SUVs are usually built on a truck chassis.
Is the Chevy Equinox a midsize SUV?
It used to be, but not anymore. Previous iterations of the Equinox were classified as midsize SUVs, but with the third generation that started with the 2018 model year, Chevrolet reduced the Equinox’s size and gave it less powerful engine options than before. These changes reclassified the Equinox as a compact crossover SUV.
Is the Chevy Trailblazer a midsize SUV?
Nope. The
Chevrolet Trailblazer
is classified as a subcompact SUV due to its smaller size. That puts it just behind the compact Trax as Chevy’s second-smallest SUV overall. That said, Chevrolet insists the Trailblazer’s interior space is quite roomy for its size, and many top car reviewers have agreed.Equinox vs. Traverse: which is the best midsize Chevy SUV?
While they certainly share commonalities, these two SUVs are not the same—so let’s take a look at the specs that set them apart.
2022 Chevy Traverse
MSRP range: $33,700 to $51,200
MPG: 17-18 city/25-27 hwy
Seating for: 5 passengers
By many car experts’ standards, the Traverse is one of the better midsize SUVs out there.
It offers a spacious, comfortable interior for up to eight passengers across three rows of seats, and one of the larger cargo areas in its class with a volume of 23 cubic feet that can expand to 98.2 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded down. The exterior received some style upgrades for this model year as well.
The 2022 Traverse has a trusty 3.6-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and up to 310 horsepower. You can also have your pick between all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
Also new for the 2022 model year was that a number of safety features that were previously optional on the Traverse became standard. Some of those features include automatic emergency braking when pedestrians are detected and lane departure warnings. Are backseat drivers always warning you to stay in your lane? There’s an assist feature for that, too.
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) gives the vehicle a five-star overall rating for safety, although for the rollover category, the 2022 Traverse gets four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) gives it mostly “good” ratings for crashworthiness, with an “acceptable” ranking for its side crash test.Highlights include:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard
- Spacious interior for both passengers and cargo
- Three rows of seating
- 3.6L V6 engine
- Up to 5,000 lb towing capacity
- Available “teen driver” mode that can customize vehicle settings to increase safety
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-keep assist feature
- Lane-departure warnings
Weaknesses include:
- Average stereo system
- Comparable SUVs can come with higher-quality cabin materials
2022 Chevy Blazer
MSRP range: $33,400 to $44,000
MPG: 19-22 city/27-29 hwy
Seating for: Up to 5 passengers
Size-wise, the Blazer sits comfortably between the Equinox and the Traverse on Chevrolet’s SUV lineup. It’s a good option to consider if you want more interior space than a subcompact SUV, but don’t need as much as the Traverse offers and don’t need to haul around as many people.
That said, if you’re interested in a midsize SUV specifically for its cargo capacity, there are more spacious options out there. The 2022 Blazer’s cargo area spans 30.5 cubic feet, with a max cargo volume of 64.2 cubic feet when the second-row seats are folded down. When you have passengers riding along with you in the second row, the ride might feel a little cramped.
When you’re considering a 2022 Blazer, you’ll have a choice when it comes to performance capabilities. It offers two engine options: the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V6. The four-cylinder has up to 228 horsepower, while the V6 has up to 308 horsepower. The nine-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Like the Traverse, the 2022 Blazer has a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and across-the-board “good” ratings on crashworthiness from the IIHS. However, in May 2022, there was a recall issued for the 2022 Blazer related to improperly welded seat frames. No other recalls have been issued to date.
Also like the Traverse, safety features like automatic and emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and lane keep assist come standard.
Highlights include:
- Solid handling
- Up to 4,500 lb towing capacity
- Two rows of seating
- Attractive exterior (but look into the 2023 redesign if exterior styling’s your priority)
- Remote start
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities
- 8-speaker stereo system
- Sliding rear seats
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-keep assist feature
Weaknesses include:
- Small cargo area compared to others in its class
- Limited room for backseat passengers
2022 Chevy Blazer vs. 2022 Chevy Traverse comparison
2022 Chevy Blazer | 2022 Chevy Traverse |
|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $33,400 |
Seating capacity | Five |
Fuel economy | 21-25 combined mpg |
Engine | 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (228 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) or 3.5-liter V6 (308 hp, 269 lb-ft of torque) |
Max cargo volume | 64.2 cubic feet |
Maximum towing capacity | Up to 4,500 lbs |
NHTSA overall safety rating | Five stars |
Reliability scores | 7.3/10 (U.S. News), 85/100 (J.D. Power) |
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The bottom line
The Traverse and Blazer are generally going to be appealing to different drivers with different priorities. If you’re looking for something just slightly larger than a compact SUV but that also has a good amount of power and towing capability behind it, a Blazer might be worthy of your consideration.
On the other hand, if you have a large family and/or need to haul around a lot of stuff, the Traverse makes a comfortable amount of room for both, and the starting MSRP isn’t that much more expensive than the Blazer.
Best midsize SUV competitors
Before settling on either of Chevrolet’s midsize SUVs, you’re going to want to see how they compare to the competition. As you explore your options, here are some other popular midsize SUVs you should look into:
- 2022Kia Telluride($33,390 starting MSRP): With seating for up to seven and plenty of upscale features, the Telluride offers affordability that can still feel luxurious.
- 2022Honda Passport($38,370 starting MSRP): A family-friendly option with a good amount of standard base-model features, plus ample passenger and cargo space.
- 2022Toyota Highlander($35,855 starting MSRP): While the back row might feel a little snug, this midsize SUV can seat up to eight and boasts competitive gas mileage—especially if you opt for the hybrid.
How to save on Chevy insurance
Looking to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to car ownership costs? Once you’ve picked the right midsize SUV for you, don’t forget to seek out multiple quotes to save on your
Chevrolet car insurance costs
.If you’re wondering how
Traverse car insurance costs
compare to Blazer car insurance costs
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