Chevy’s two small SUVs serve different versions of the same customer. Both park easily in Hackensack garages, both fit Bergen County commutes, and both carry the Chevrolet reliability reputation - but they’re built around different priorities. The Trax optimizes for value and urban efficiency. The Trailblazer steps up in size, adds AWD availability, and introduces RS and ACTIV trim characters that shift it toward a more expressive product.
Bottom Line: The Trax is the better choice for single drivers and couples prioritizing fuel economy and parking ease. The Trailblazer suits Bergen County families who need AWD, more cargo room, and more powertrain choices at a moderate price step up.
- Trax: FWD only, smaller exterior, more affordable, stronger fuel economy
- Trailblazer: FWD and AWD available, larger cargo area, two engine choices, slightly higher pricing
For the full Trax breakdown, see our Chevy Trax buyers guide.
Size and Dimensions: How Different Are They?
The Trax and Trailblazer are close in exterior footprint but the differences matter for Bergen County buyers. The Trailblazer is approximately 3 inches longer overall and offers meaningfully more cargo space behind the rear seats - 25.3 cubic feet versus the Trax’s 22.2 cubic feet. Both fit comfortably in standard parking spaces in Paramus malls and Hackensack office garages.
Interior passenger room is similar between the two, with both accommodating four adults reasonably and five adults with some compression. The Trailblazer’s slightly larger footprint translates more to cargo volume than passenger space.
For Bergen County urban use - parallel parking on Main Street in Hackensack, tight parking structures at Bergen Town Center, the Trax’s slightly smaller exterior dimensions are a genuine practical advantage. A few inches matters when squeezing into a parallel spot.
AWD: The Trailblazer’s Key Differentiator
The Trax is front-wheel drive only across all trim levels. For Bergen County buyers who want AWD for winter traction - particularly those in Ridgewood and higher-elevation areas that see more accumulation - the Trax is not available as an option.
The Trailblazer offers AWD on the LT, RS, and ACTIV trims, making it the path to AWD capability within Chevy’s small SUV lineup at a price below the Equinox. Trailblazer AWD uses an on-demand system that engages the rear axle automatically when front-wheel slip is detected.
For Bergen County families who deal with icy driveways, occasional unplowed roads, or simply want the confidence of AWD during the winter months, the Trailblazer AWD represents the minimum Chevy solution. The step up from Trax FWD to Trailblazer AWD is the primary reason to choose the Trailblazer.
Powertrain: More Choices in the Trailblazer
The Trax uses a single powertrain across all trims: the 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder producing 155 horsepower. It’s smooth, fuel-efficient, and adequate for Bergen County’s mix of surface streets and highway.
The Trailblazer offers two engine choices. The standard 1.2L three-cylinder produces 137 horsepower on the LS and LT. The available 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder on the RS and ACTIV trims produces 155 horsepower - matching the Trax’s output. The 1.3L is the engine to specify for Bergen County buyers who regularly use the Garden State Parkway or I-287 at highway speeds with passengers on board.
Fuel economy is comparable between the two vehicles. Trax achieves approximately 28 MPG combined. Trailblazer FWD achieves approximately 29 MPG combined with the 1.2L; AWD Trailblazer drops to approximately 26 MPG combined. The fuel economy premium of the Trax FWD over the Trailblazer AWD - approximately 2 MPG combined - is real but modest.
"The most common decision point I see Bergen County customers work through is AWD. If you don't need AWD and you're primarily a commuter, the Trax is the more efficient spend - it has modern tech and great fuel economy at a lower price. But if winter traction matters to you - and for a lot of Ridgewood and Hackensack buyers it does - the Trailblazer AWD is the answer. That's really the fork in the road."
General Manager, Paramus Chevrolet
Technology and Features: How They Compare
Both vehicles offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The infotainment experience is similar at comparable trim levels, with the Trax LT’s 11-inch screen giving it a slight display size advantage over the Trailblazer LT’s screen in some configurations.
Safety technology is standard on both: forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist come on all Trax and Trailblazer trims. Neither vehicle requires buyers to step up to access the basic active safety suite.
Remote start availability is comparable on upper trims of both vehicles. The feature is particularly relevant for Bergen County buyers facing Paramus winters.
Price: What the Difference Costs
The Trax LS starts below $22,000, making it one of the more accessible new vehicles in the Bergen County market. The Trailblazer LS starts slightly higher. Moving to AWD on the Trailblazer adds further cost above that.
The total price difference between a Trax LT and a Trailblazer AWD in comparable mid-level trims is typically $3,000-$5,000. For Bergen County buyers who find AWD necessary, this premium buys genuine winter capability. For buyers who can live with FWD, the Trax captures equivalent technology and comfort at lower cost.
Which One Is Right for Bergen County?
Choose the Trax if: You’re a single driver or couple who primarily commutes in Paramus, Hackensack, or Fair Lawn. AWD is not a priority. Parking efficiency matters. You want the lowest overall cost for a capable, tech-equipped daily driver.
Choose the Trailblazer if: You want AWD for Bergen County winters. You carry passengers regularly and want the extra cargo room. You need the 1.3L engine’s additional power for highway confidence. You’re willing to spend modestly more for the additional capability.
FAQ
Can the Chevy Trax be ordered with AWD?
No. The current Trax generation is front-wheel drive only. AWD requires moving to the Trailblazer or the larger Equinox within the Chevy SUV lineup.
Which has better resale value - Trax or Trailblazer?
Both hold value comparably as Chevrolet products. AWD models typically command slightly better resale pricing in northern markets where winter traction is valued, giving the Trailblazer AWD a slight edge in the Bergen County used market.
Are the Trax and Trailblazer built on the same platform?
Yes. Both ride on General Motors’ VSS-S platform designed for small front-wheel-drive and AWD vehicles. The shared architecture contributes to their similar ride quality and handling character.
Does the Trailblazer have more back seat room than the Trax?
The difference is modest. Both accommodate adult passengers in the rear seat. The Trailblazer’s additional length translates more noticeably to cargo volume than rear passenger room.
Which gets better gas mileage, Trax or Trailblazer?
The Trax FWD edges ahead slightly in combined fuel economy compared to the Trailblazer FWD. The AWD Trailblazer is slightly below both FWD options. Real-world fuel economy differences between the two are small enough that fuel cost should not be the deciding factor.
The Trax and Trailblazer cover two different versions of the Bergen County small SUV buyer well, with the AWD availability on the Trailblazer being the primary differentiator that drives the decision for most Paramus and Hackensack families. See current Trax and Trailblazer inventory at Paramus Chevrolet or contact the team to compare trims side by side.