If you’re in the market for a used Chevy SUV, there are a few options to pick from. With some options being gas-powered, while others are EV, there’s something for everyone. We’ll take a look at what makes each one unique to make sure that you get the right model for you and your family.
Key Takeaways:
- Despite having an imposing size, the Tahoe is a great family option.
- The two EV variants are almost identical to their gas counterparts.
- We think that the Trax is secretly a great pick that people will overlook because of its features. Coming with great fuel efficiency, this makes a great option for a daily driver.
Blazer
Hitting the market fairly recently, this model slots between the Equinox and Traverse models. This model features 41 inches of legroom for the front row, while the second row comes with 39.6 inches of legroom. While there is an electric variant of the Blazer, this one is a traditional gas variant.
Coming with two engines, there’s the 193 horsepower 2.5L I4 and the 305 horsepower 3.6L V6. If you want power, then the V6 is the obvious choice, but if you want efficiency, then the 2.5L I4 is for you, getting an EPA-rated 25 MPG combined.
Some features that you can find are a power sunroof, heated and ventilated front bucket seats, and even a power tailgate. All of these work at elevating the model above others on the market.
Blazer EV
This one is nearly identical to the regular Blazer, with the only difference being that it is an electric option. While most models that you find used will come with 222 horsepower, Chevy had something up their sleeves. This is the SS, the first of its kind to bear the SS name, and with it comes 615 horsepower. The SS comes with Wide Open Watts, allowing the vehicle to go 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
If you want the one with the most range, that certainly isn’t the SS, but look for an RS model as they will be able to get you up to 334 miles of range on one charge. When charging at home, you can get it almost completely charged with an overnight charge. When on the road, you can charge it at a fast charging station, getting 78 miles of charge in just 10 minutes.
Equinox
While earlier models were classified as a midsize SUV, in recent years, that has changed. The Equinox is now a compact crossover SUV, thanks to this, it means new dimensions. For the front row, you can enjoy 40.9 inches of legroom, while the back row has slightly less at 39.9 inches of legroom.
If you’re looking for something that is the most efficient, then you want the 1.6L I4. While this is a diesel engine, it does get you 32 MPG combined, making it a solid option for those who don’t have a preference over fuel. This engine is only available on models from 2018 and 2019.
If you aren’t a fan of diesel, then you can look for the 1.5L I4. This engine is able to get you 28 MPG combined, which isn’t as much as the diesel, but it is still substantially better than others on the market.
Equinox EV
Much like the Blazer EV, this one is nearly identical to the gas-powered variant. The only difference is the energy source. If you want the most range from the EV, then you want something that is FWD. This is because it comes with an EPA-rated 319 miles of total range. Other than that, there isn’t an exciting trim for the Equinox, really just acting as a solid option for soccer moms who want to save a bit.
The first subcompact crossover that we’ll cover is the Trailblazer. This one gets slightly less room when compared to others in Chevy’s catalog. This comes with 40.9 inches of legroom for the front and 39 inches in the rear. Thanks to its smaller size, it comes with great mileage, able to get up to 31 MPG combined with the 1.3L I3.
Standout features are rather minimal for this model, but its safety is second to none. This model gained the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ for 2021, 2022, and 2023. Making these some of the safest models on the market.
Being one of the larger vehicles in the family, this one comes with enough seats to seat 7 to 8 passengers, depending on the configuration that you find. This model will come with 44.3 inches of legroom for the front and 41.5 inches for the second row. Being that this is a larger model, you also have access to 22.9 cu-ft of cargo space with all seats in place.
When looking at the two most recent generations, the mileage is pretty similar, with the most recent one being ever so slightly more efficient. For the best mileage, you want a newer generation model that comes with a 2.5L I4 that is able to get 23 combined MPG. But if you don’t want to spend the extra cash on something newer, then you can look for a previous generation model that comes with a 2.0L I4 engine that gets 21 MPG combined.
Trax
Going back to the compact segment, at release, this model was larger than the Trailblazer, but it came at a lesser price. This model features 41.9 inches of legroom for the front and 38.7 inches of legroom for the rear. While this isn’t a three-row SUV, it is a great option for those who have smaller kids. In recent years, the Trax comes with a 1.2L I3 engine. This engine has an EPA-rated 30 MPG combined.
Much like the Trailblazer, this model is relatively unassuming, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Suburban
Moving on to the heavy hitters in the Chevy lineup, there’s the Suburban. Having been around in some capacity for nearly a century, you’ll be able to find one of these models with ease. Moving to the modern era, the Suburban now comes with some great features. Some features you can look for are a 10.25-inch touch screen, an Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and GM Super Cruise.
Being that this is larger, it is also roomier. The front row can enjoy 44.5 inches of legroom, while the rear gets 42 inches of legroom. You also get treated to 41.5 cu-ft of cargo space with all seats in place.
Being that this is a larger model, it needs a large engine to help motivate it. While there are a few engines that come with the model, the two that you’ll see the most are the 5.3L V8 and the 6.2L V8. The 6.2L V8 gives you 420 horsepower, while the 5.3L V8 gives you better MPG at 17 MPG combined.
It doesn’t get much more iconic than the Tahoe. While it hasn’t been around as long as others in the Chevy lineup, it is a popular choice. Despite having the same legroom as the Suburban, this one comes with less cargo capacity at 25.5 cu-ft of space. This is the only model in recent years that allows for 9 passenger seating.
Thanks to the smaller size, the Tahoe’s more efficient engine in recent years is the 6.2L V8, getting you 17 MPG combined. Thanks to the design and build of the Tahoe, this acts more like a truck than the other SUVs in the segment, able to tow up to 8,400 pounds with ease.
What’s the best used Chevy SUV for families?
If you’re looking for something with the most seats, then that will be the Tahoe; it also offers great power, with decent mileage. If you don’t need three rows, then we recommend one of the EVs that Chevy offers. This helps you save money by not needing to go to the pump to refill.
No matter what you want, come on down to Car2Sell here in Hillside, and we’ll be happy to help and answer any questions you may have!