The Chevy Trax and Chevy Trailblazer share a price range and brand badge, but they serve different kinds of Bergen County drivers. The Trax prioritizes an affordable, feature-packed commuter experience. The Trailblazer adds AWD availability, a slightly larger footprint, and more powertrain options. Knowing which one matches your actual use case avoids buyer’s remorse.
Bottom Line: Choose the Trax if you want the lowest entry price and don’t need AWD. Choose the Trailblazer if AWD capability, a more powerful engine option, or more cargo space matters for your Bergen County driving.
- The Trax is FWD-only; the Trailblazer offers available AWD - the single biggest functional difference between them
- Trailblazer’s optional 1.3L turbo delivers more power than Trax’s standard 1.2L
- Both start under $25,000, but the Trailblazer’s AWD models cost $2,000-3,000 more than comparable Trax trims
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Specification | Chevy Trax | Chevy Trailblazer |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$20,400 | ~$21,500 |
| Engine Options | 1.2L Turbo (137 HP) | 1.2L (137 HP) or 1.3L (155 HP) |
| Drivetrain | FWD Only | FWD or AWD |
| MPG (FWD) | 28 city / 32 hwy | 29 city / 33 hwy (1.2L) |
| MPG (AWD) | N/A | 26 city / 30 hwy (1.3L AWD) |
| Cargo (behind 2nd row) | 25.3 cu ft | 25.3 cu ft |
| Overall Length | 173.5 in | 173.5 in |
| Trims Available | LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, ACTIV | LS, LT, ACTIV, RS |
Browse current Chevy Trax inventory at Paramus Chevrolet to compare what’s in stock.
The AWD Question: The Deciding Factor for Most Buyers
AWD availability is the most meaningful difference between these two vehicles for Bergen County drivers. The Trax is front-wheel drive only - no AWD option exists. The Trailblazer offers AWD on LT, ACTIV, and RS trims, typically starting around $24,000-25,000 with AWD.
For Bergen County families who drive through winter weather, live on hilly residential streets, or take weekend trips to areas with less reliable road clearing, the Trailblazer’s AWD is a practical advantage the Trax simply cannot match. This is the starting point for the decision.
If winter AWD is not a priority - urban commuters, fair-weather drivers, or those who only need an affordable FWD crossover - the Trax’s FWD with its lower entry pricing makes more sense.
"The question I ask every customer trying to decide between the Trax and Trailblazer is simple: do you need AWD? If the answer is yes, the Trailblazer is the right vehicle. If FWD is fine - which it is for plenty of Bergen County commuters who stay on plowed main roads - the Trax gives you more trim options and a lower entry price."
- Mike Tandurella, General Manager, Paramus Chevrolet
Engine Power: 1.3L Trailblazer vs. 1.2L Trax
Both vehicles offer the 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder as a base engine. The Trailblazer adds a 1.3L turbo producing 155 horsepower (versus the Trax’s 137 HP) on upper trims.
The 18-horsepower difference feels meaningful on Bergen County highway merges, Route 17 acceleration zones, and situations where you need to close a gap quickly. The Trax’s 1.2L engine is adequate for urban driving but can feel strained at highway speeds when loaded. The Trailblazer’s 1.3L changes that experience noticeably.
Fuel economy pays a modest penalty for the additional power and AWD: Trailblazer AWD with 1.3L returns approximately 26/30 MPG versus the Trax’s 28/32.
Trim Overlap and Value
The Trax has a broader trim lineup (five trims: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, ACTIV) versus the Trailblazer’s four (LS, LT, ACTIV, RS). The Trax’s 1RS and 2RS trims add RS sport styling to entry-level and mid-level equipment - an option the Trailblazer consolidates into the RS trim.
For pure value at the entry level, the Trax LS at $20,400 is slightly cheaper than the Trailblazer LS. But once you factor in AWD on the Trailblazer, you’re paying $3,000-4,000 more than a similarly equipped Trax. Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on whether AWD matters for your driving.
When to Choose the Trax
- You’re primarily an urban or suburban Bergen County commuter on plowed roads
- AWD is not a priority in your winter driving
- You want the most features per dollar in the subcompact segment
- RS sport styling is a priority (the Trax has more RS options)
- You want the ACTIV outdoor trim without AWD pricing
When to Choose the Trailblazer
- Bergen County winter conditions make AWD important to you
- You want more power for regular highway driving
- You take ski trips or drive to areas with unpredictable winter road clearing
- Your home or neighborhood has a hilly driveway or street
- You want the 1.3L engine option
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Trailblazer bigger than the Trax? Both vehicles share nearly identical exterior dimensions at 173.5 inches in length and very similar cargo volumes. The practical difference in size is minimal - both park and maneuver identically in Bergen County parking structures and residential streets.
Does the Trailblazer’s AWD work automatically like the Traverse? Yes - the Trailblazer’s AWD is an automatic on-demand system that monitors traction and transfers torque to the rear wheels without driver input. There’s no manual 4WD mode selection.
Are the safety ratings the same for Trax and Trailblazer? Both vehicles earn strong safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Check the specific rating year on the NHTSA website for your model year before purchasing, as ratings can vary between generations.
Can I get heated seats on both vehicles? Yes - heated front seats are available on the Trax LT and above, and on Trailblazer LT and above. Neither base LS trim includes heated seats.
The right choice between Trax and Trailblazer comes down to AWD and how much the price difference matters for your Bergen County budget. The team at Paramus Chevrolet can walk you through current inventory on both models side by side - serving drivers from Paramus and Hackensack to Ridgewood and Fair Lawn.
Browse current Trax and Trailblazer inventory at Paramus Chevrolet or check used inventory for both models.