From One Extreme to the Other with Chevy Crossovers

Crossovers are always a good time. Take the cronut, pairing the sweet softness of a donut with the flaky goodness of a croissant. Or that episode where the Jetsons went back in time and landed in Bedrock to meet the Flintstones. Here at DePaula Chevrolet, we are particularly partial to the Chevy crossovers, of course. When you’re looking for an Albany Chevy crossover dealer, you’ll want to come visit us for all the insider tips and info to figure out which one is right for you.

There’s a lot of room in the middle – so many options! – but you might be wondering about the extremes: how does Chevy’s smallest crossover compare to its largest? After all, whether you prefer your grilled cheese BLT-style or a sweet and savory mix stuffed with ham and dusted with powdered sugar and a side of jam for a Monte Cristo, we all know the bread on the outside makes all the difference. So read on, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how the 2021 Trax and the 2021 Traverse stack up.

Size…. Does It Matter?

Obviously, if we are comparing the opposite ends of Chevy crossovers, you’re going to expect to find some major differences in size. The 2021 Traverse clocks in at over three feet longer than the 2021 Trax. Interestingly, the turning radius is only a few inches larger, however. Those extra three feet equal an extra row of seats, so the Traverse can comfortably sit up to eight while the Trax is suited for five. The total passenger volume of the Traverse is 64-and-a-half feet more than in the Trax.

Cargo space with rear-seat passengers is 18.7 cubic feet in the Trax and 23 cubic feet in the Traverse. With the rear seats folded, you’ll find a max of 48.4 cubic cargo feet in the Trax, with a maximum cargo length of eight feet – not shabby at all for a smaller vehicle. The Traverse, however, has two rows of seats to fold down, and that means that it has a whopping 98.2 cubic cargo feet of space, the best in its class. Maybe don’t tell all your friends who need to move? Just a thought. Do as you wish.

The Traverse is between four and six inches taller than the Trax, based on the trim, but this doesn’t translate directly to headroom. The Trax’s front seats have just under 40 inches of headroom, while the Traverse has just over 41. When it comes to the rear seats, the difference is even less, and the third row in the Traverse is a bit closer to the ceiling than the rear row of the Trax. With a nearly nine-inch difference in width, exterior door handle to exterior door handle, all of the rows of seats in the Traverse have nearly seven more inches of hip room than in the Trax.

Performance Pros & Cons

Size, and the corresponding weight, lead to a lot of differences between the 2021 Trax and Traverse when it comes to power and performance, even while both have all-wheel drive options. The Trax comes with a 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine. This engine brings up to 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the Traverse engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horses and 266 pound-feet of torque. Obviously, a vehicle that much bigger needs a lot more power. With the smaller Trax engine, you can tow less, but your fuel efficiency is greater. At this point, comparing the two is almost like apples and oranges, based on your everyday needs.

The extra three feet of the Traverse contribute to over half a ton more in weight – more than 1,220 pounds, to be exact. With its lower weight and the engines outlined above, the Trax’s EPA-estimated gas mileage is 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway. In comparison, the Traverse gets an EPA-estimated 18 MPG city, 27 MPG highway. However, if you’re looking to use the Traverse as a true workhorse, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s enough for a midsize trailer or a small boat and easily enough for a couple of dirt bikes, snowmobiles, or Jet-skis. You could probably even tow another vehicle. The Trax is not rated for towing, but if you’re looking at the smallest crossover Chevy has to offer, towing is probably not your #1 priority.

Design Differences

The 2021 Chevy Trax comes in two trims: the LS and the LT. The LT also comes in the Midnight and Sport special editions. In comparison, there are seven versions of the 2021 Traverse: the L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. The Trax and the lower versions of the Traverse have a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Traverse RS, Premier, and High Country models have a larger eight-inch screen, an upgrade over the lower trims. Heated seats are also not available on the lower models, while they are available on the Trax LT and standard on the Traverse LT Leather and up. Heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats are standard on the Premier and High Country. There are more storage compartments in the larger Traverse and more interior lighting, including in the cargo area.

When it comes to safety, the Trax LT and the Traverse LT Cloth have an available Driver Confidence Package that includes lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, and rear park assist. These features are standard on the upper Traverses, as is Chevy’s Safety Assist package, which adds features including forward collision alert and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. Enhanced automatic emergency braking is also standard on the High Country Traverse. Both the 2021 Trax and the 2021 Traverse have rear backup cameras and have earned a full five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Spectrum is Spectacular

Both ends of the Chevy crossover spectrum have plenty to offer, depending on what your exact driving and hauling needs are. The 2021 Trax starts at $21,400 and the 2021 Traverse at $29,800, which is appropriate for the differences they offer.* Whether you’re looking at the Trax to get around comfortably or the Traverse to carry your family and all their stuff, both offer the best of the crossover style. They are easy to drive while still providing plenty of room and safety. On top of that, both the Trax and the Traverse come with the history and dependability of the Chevrolet name.

Here at DePaula Chevrolet, we love that Chevrolet name. We are a six time winner of the Chevrolet Genuine Leader Award and the #1 Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned Dealer in all of the Northeast. We know these products backwards and forwards and will help you determine just which Chevy crossover is right for you, from the Trax to the Traverse. We also have all of Chevy’s other excellent crossovers, including the Trailblazer, Equinox, and Blazer. Whichever end of the Chevy crossover spectrum suits your needs, visit us here at DePaula Chevrolet and see why we’re the best Chevy dealer in Albany.

*MSRP subject to change. Please see dealer for details.