Three Fantastic Chevy SUVs for Herkimer Drivers

August 18th, 2023 by

A green 2024 Chevy Trax is shown parked near people after leaving a Chevy dealer near Herkimer.

Picking the right vehicle to drive is like picking the right outfit. The vehicle you drive is a symbol of personality, and if you want to find the right vehicle, you first have to learn what kind of vehicle is best for your situation, not only for the type of driver you are but where you live too. For example, if you’re looking for a Chevy dealer near Herkimer and the surrounding area, it’s because you’re a resident of New York who is looking to purchase a vehicle that can tackle everything this unique corner of New York has to offer. Fortunately, Chevy offers a broad range of SUVs, with three particular models perfectly designed for Herkimer and beyond. These SUVs are the 2024 Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox. Finding these vehicles isn’t the problem, but finding the one that works best for you regularly calls for some assistance, which our team here at DePaula Chevrolet can assist you with.

There are two things guaranteed when you live in New York: long drives and cold winters. Many of you may be commuters who need to get to your job from Herkimer, which means you may drive on I-90W every day to get to Albany. Herkimer is a beautiful village with rich history, and the hustle and bustle of city life is forgotten in a sea of blissful suburban greatness. This village is the perfect place for families, and families thrive in SUVs, which brings us back to our discussion: which of these three SUV models will work best for your driving needs and lifestyle in the Herkimer area? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

The 2024 Chevy Trax

The 2024 Chevy Trax is an incredible value that may have everything you want, depending on the type of driver you are. The Trax is the best-priced, with no contest between the Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox. The 2024 Trax starts at an MSRP of $20,400, making it one of the most cost-effective ways of buying any new vehicle, especially an SUV.[a] If you’re the type of person who articulately budgets your life, this is a great way to not only buy an SUV to drive in and around Herkimer but to save money in the coming months and years. This is because the Chevy Trax isn’t only one of the most fairly-priced Chevy SUVs but also one of the most fuel-efficient.

We find that when our customers are looking to save money, they may find themselves looking for alternatives to new vehicles. The Chevy Trax helps those cost-conscious drivers get behind the wheel of a new vehicle while disregarding all qualms they may have had about the potential ramifications that cutting corners could entail. Aside from the low starting price, we mentioned it was the fuel efficiency that drives home the savings potential, so how does the 2024 model hold up?

The 2024 Chevy Trax saw a sizable shift from the 2022 model; the 2023 model was skipped, as the 2024 Trax marks the first time the Trax has noticed a generational leap over the original incarnation. Part of this generational leap was replacing the previous powertrain with a more fuel-efficient one; the new powertrain is a turbocharged 1.2L I-3 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain combination is responsible for the EPA-estimated ratings of 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, which is quite impressive for a small SUV like this.

The 2024 Trax is a leap over its predecessor and also sees cargo space increased to 25.6 cu.ft. behind the second row, and a total of 54.1 cu.ft. of available space with the second row lowered against the 2022 model’s 18.7 cu.ft. and 48.4 cu.ft. of space, respectively. Lastly, the 2024 Trax comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment center with an optional 11-inch media center; the previous handful of models came with a 7-inch screen instead. These audio systems also support HD Radio and SiriusXM radio, so those drives from Herkimer into the big city can be filled with high-quality audio from your favorite curated playlists.

A yellow 2024 Chevy Trailblazer Activ is shown parked near a lake.

The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer is much like the Trax, but there are finer details on the Trailblazer, which makes it feel like a more premium take on the Trax. The Trailblazer and Trax are subcompact SUVs, resulting in nearly identical cargo space; the 2024 Trailblazer has between 25.3 cu.ft. and 54.4 cu.ft. of available space. In its base configuration, the Trailblazer has the same engine as the Trax but with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) instead of the 6-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer also offers a more fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.3L I-3 engine, which increases performance to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque.

A CVT also comes with this stronger and more efficient engine, but you can instead get a 9-speed automatic transmission. This is the only one of the three SUVs we’ll be talking about today with an available 9-speed automatic transmission instead of a 6-speed one. Herkimer drivers who also travel on I-90 regularly will enjoy the 33 MPG on the highway the turbocharged I-3 engine offers, but there’s also an improved 29 MPG in the city for when you find yourself traveling around the village up and down State Street or taking a quick trip to Myers Park for the afternoon.

The 2024 Trailblazer’s price sits between the Trax and Equinox, with an MSRP of $23,100, making it another great option for an SUV under $25,000, and it’s the best way to make the most out of the subcompact design.[a] Spending the extra money, even for the base model, also has other benefits, such as the 11-inch infotainment center that comes standard on every model; the type of infotainment center only available on higher-end Trax models. This 11-inch infotainment center is perfect for all of your communication needs and to access your favorite multimedia experiences. If you’re leaving Herkimer for the day and need some directions, you can use wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to connect your phone to the infotainment center. Not only can you form turn-by-turn directions with a built-in maps app, but you can also plan your day accordingly, factoring in destinations like restaurants, rest stops, and more.

The 2024 Chevy Equinox

Who do we recommend the 2024 Chevy Equinox to? The 2024 Chevy Equinox is the pricier of the three vehicles, with an MSRP of $26,600, but with it comes a vehicle that has more to offer to families and carpoolers alike.[a] If you live with your family in Herkimer, you should consider the Equinox because it has more cargo space than the Trax or Trailblazer. The Equinox is a compact SUV, so cargo space is especially improved when the back seats are folded down. With the seats kept upright, the Equinox has 29.9 cu.ft. of space, which is 18% more than the Trailblazer. Folding down the seats if you ever need to haul something larger, like bringing home a new piece of furniture, a large television, etc., gives you 63.9 cu.ft. of space, 17% more than the Trailblazer.

The powertrain in the Equinox is also the largest of the three SUVs we’ve discussed: a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. With this engine, the Equinox gets 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and unlike the other two SUVs, the Equinox has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. The Equinox is a great family vehicle for vacation, such as taking the family out of town to Syracuse or Albany by traveling West or East on I-90. It’s also the best SUV of the three for driving around Herkimer with the family, bringing the kids to school at Herkimer Elementary or High School, or even if you’re taking night classes at Herkimer Community College.

A red 2024 Chevy Equinox is shown parked on a city street in front of shops.

We’re Here to Help You Find the Perfect Chevy SUV

Out of the three SUVs we’ve discussed, which of the three SUVs should you drive? It’s somewhat of a trick question because there’s no wrong answer. Any of these three SUVs is perfect for Herkimer drivers. For example, if you want to save money and perhaps want a vehicle to commute to work while having SUV amounts of cargo space, then you should get the Trax. Care more about technology and expanding upon the Trax experience? Get the Trailblazer. Have a family and need a spacious vehicle for your day-to-day busy life? Consider the Equinox. All three vehicles are fantastic values and some of the best new vehicles you can get in Chevy’s current lineup. Need help to decide which model is best for you? Our team at DePaula Chevrolet will be happy to assist in helping you discover which model will best compliment your travels around Herkimer and beyond.


[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.