Tracing its history back to the early 1900s, Chevrolet has consistently remained one of the prominent car manufacturers with a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, trucks, sports cars, and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Chevrolet SUVs were introduced in the mid-1930s when the company first manufactured independent front suspension to offer better rides against rough roads. Since the first-ever Chevy SUV, the Suburban Carryall, was introduced in 1935, Chevrolet has continued to make better improvements to cater to the dynamic needs of consumers.
Price/Value
Chevrolet offers a comprehensive lineup of SUVs ranging from small crossovers, midsize SUVs, and large SUVs capable of hauling heavy loads. While their values largely depend on the make, model, and the technology they are fitted with, for as low as $19,000, you can get a Chevy SUV such as Trailblazer. For large Chevy SUVs like the modern Tahoe and Suburban models, their pricing starts from $49,000 and $51,700, respectively.
Depreciation
While ranking the vehicles with the highest and the lowest rates of depreciation, iSeeCars placed Chevrolets among the ones with the lowest rates. The Chevy Silverado, for instance, has a depreciation rate of 45.2% over five years. Generally, a Chevy loses an average of 46.3% of its original value over half a decade.
Reliability
In an analysis of three-year-old SUVs, the 2017 Chevy Tahoe topped the list, thanks to its safety features. JD Power also ranked the 2017 model among the most dependable large SUV models along with the Chevrolet Silverado in the large heavy-duty truck category. The ratings are determined by consumer ratings, quality, and reliability, the driving experience, as well as resale value.
Chevy SUV Models
Chevrolet Blazer
Available in six trim levels, two-row, and five-passenger layouts, the Chevrolet Blazer sports a sub-starting price of $29,000 for the standard trim level and $36,295 for the all-wheel drive. The 2021 models feature adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking systems, collision warning system, and lane-keeping assist.
All the trim levels feature an ample space of 39.6 inches between the driver and the passenger. The cargo space has a 30.5 cubic capacity and 64.2 cubic feet with folded seats.
Chevrolet offers three engine options for the Blazer, including a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine that makes 193 horsepower and an EPA rating of 21/27 mpg city and highway, and a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower and an EPA rating of 22/29 mpg city/highway for the FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) and 22/27 mpg for the AWD (All-Wheel Drive).
The higher trim levels incorporate a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 horsepower. This engine is also optional in 2LT and 3LT models. The fuel economy in these models is 20/27 mpg for the FWD and 19/26 mpg for the AWD on city and highway rating. The engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic suspension for decent accelerations, fuel economy, and easy driving capability.
Chevrolet Equinox
Featuring the same safety features as the Chevrolet Blazer, all the Chevrolet Equinox come with a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed auto transmission, producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. There is also an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a stellar 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque capacity. The standard trim level of the Chevrolet Equinox is only available in FWD. Higher trim levels, however, including the LS, LT, and Premier, have AWD.
According to EPA estimates, the FWD rates stand at 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The values drop by a point for the all-wheel drive.
The base trim level of the Equinox has a starting price of $24,995, but for additional comfort and features, the Premier trim level with a starting price of $32,595 is better. In terms of space, the Equinox has an ample storage room of 63.9 cubic feet with folded rear seats.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban offers two stellar V-8 engines with the standard trim levels incorporating a 5.3-liter engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft torque capacity. The higher models have a 6.2-liter engine with 10-speed auto suspension and 420 horsepower with 460 lb-ft torque capacity.
The base trim level with rear-wheel-drive and a 5.3-liter V8 engine is EPA rated at 15/22/18 mpg for city, highway, and combined. The rating drops to 14/21/16 mpg in higher trim levels with 4WD. With its 10-speed transmission, the 6.2-liter V8 engine models with the 10-speed transmission have a rating of 14/23/17 mpg for the RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) and 14/20/16 mpg for the 4WD.
The Suburban gets most features found on Chevy SUVs, with additional ones available at a cost. It offers active lane control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision, and departure warnings.
The Suburban has a starting price of about $52,000.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer offers two engine options: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque complemented by a CVT transmission; and a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft torque capacity. The 1.2-liter engine has an EPA rating of 28/31 mpg, while the 1.3-liter models come with 29/33 mpg (FWD), 26/30 mpg (AWD) city and highway fuel efficiency. The Trailblazer has an optional AWD type that comes with nine-speed auto transmission, which does a better job in terms of driving experience than CVT.
The Trailblazer is available in five trim levels, all with the standard Chevy safety features and seating of five. The cargo room at the back with folded seats measures up to 54.4 cubic feet. The standard trim level has a starting price of $19,995, and the upgraded high trim levels are also still below $28,000.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The standard trim level of the Tahoe features a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 horsepower and an EPA rating of 16/20 mpg (RWD) and 16/20 mpg (4WD) city and highway, respectively. The upper models feature a powerful 6.2-liter engine with 420 horsepower and fuel efficiency of 15/20 mpg (RWD) and 14/19 mpg (4WD) city and highway. All the levels come with three rows of seats, and the pricing starts from about $49,000 for the standard models and nearly $70,000 for the high luxury types.
The safety features include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot, and rear parking sensors. The higher luxury levels also include a head-up display, surround-view, and rear cameras.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse utilizes a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers up to 310 horsepower with a torque capacity of 266 lb-ft. The engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and is available in FWD. The AWD is optional, and it is the perfect choice if you want to experience more control in terms of torque and drivability. The engine has an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined for the FWD and 20 mpg combined for the AWD.
The Traverse sports seven trim levels with a starting price of $30,000. It can sit up to eight individuals. All its models incorporate the standard Chevy features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. More features are available, but at an extra cost.
Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax is available in two trims, both powered by a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes a decent 138 horsepower. It can seat up to five people, has ample storage room, and is efficient on the road, thanks to the six-speed automatic transmission.
The Trax is offered in FWD and 4WD. Both come with the standard features, but for more, you can get other features such as rear park assist and rear cross-traffic. It comes with a starting price of $30,000 and is EPA rated at 24/30 mpg city and highway.
Maintenance
The average cost of maintaining a Chevrolet SUV depends on the model, but Edmunds places the value slightly above $4,800 over five years. Their parts are easy to find, thanks to their compatibility with other comparable SUVs sharing the same engines and platforms.
Features
Chevy SUVs come with features such as halogen headlights and sporty grilles, but this largely depends on the model. The inside offers the necessary space, thanks to foldable rear seats that create more room for cargo. Also included are other features such as Wi-Fi compatibility, navigation systems, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and as well as the MyChevrolet app for easy connectivity even when you are far from your vehicle.
Safety
On top of the standard safety mechanisms, such as auto-locking systems and passenger airbags, Chevy SUVs incorporate various other features that contribute to your safety. They include safety lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, IntelliBeam automatic headlights, driver alert package, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
What’s Next? Future Projects
Chevrolet is looking to introduce another Traverse SUV model by the fall of 2021. It will feature an all-new front fascia and redesigned headlights and taillights. Consequently, it will come with infotainment systems that include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company is also set to introduce another variant of its best-selling SUV, the Equinox, featuring a sportier look and updated safety systems on top of introducing the RS trim.
