How to Choose Between the Equinox and the Blazer 

If you’re shopping for SUVs for sale in Castroville—specifically Chevy brand SUVs—you’re likely struggling to decide between the Equinox and the Blazer. While the Equinox is a perennial crowd-pleaser, the Blazer is a stylish dynamo of equal renown. It’s tough to choose one over the other, but an investment as important as this needs some serious consideration. You want the perfect fit for your lifestyle—and that’s where the experts at North Park Chevrolet come in.

The Equinox and the Blazer are excellent performers, comfortable rides, and can seat up to five passengers. They offer plenty of style, cargo room, and the latest and greatest of Chevy’s tech and safety features. However, a few key differences set the two models apart; when buying a new vehicle, it’s best practice to consider even the smallest factors to ensure you get the best fit.

This dilemma is not so much about one versus the other because, let’s face it, the Equinox and Blazer are both stunning SUVs with high driver satisfaction ratings. It really comes down to your routine, habits, and scope of expected usage, as explicit differences in fuel economy, size, or standard features could make or break your decision.

Show Me the Money!

One of the first things on a driver’s mind is how much does it cost? This is a valid question because you want to ensure you get the most for your money. Nothing is more disheartening than realizing you paid too much for features you don’t need—or that if you had paid a little more, you could have gotten additional options to improve your drive.

Comparing the prices between the Equinox and the Blazer, you’ll see that an entry-level Equinox comes in at a lower starting price than the Blazer. If you want cold hard facts, the 2023 Equinox, for example, can be had starting at $26,600, while the Blazer begins at $35,100.^[a] Even if you are looking at pre-owned options, the Equinox tends to come in at a lower price point than a pre-owned Blazer of the same year.

Considering the Equinox and the Blazer seem so similar, this must mean there is a difference somewhere to account for the gap between pricing. So let’s look closer and see what each midsize Chevy brings to the table.

Adventure Thru Inner Space

One of the reasons for the different price points is the size. The Equinox and the Blazer seem of similar stature, are both considered midsize SUVs, and both can seat up to five at a time. Upon closer look, however, the Blazer is the slightly larger model of the two.

For comparison, the 2023 Blazer offers 107.8 cu.ft. of interior space plus a total cargo space of 64.2 cu.ft. As for the Equinox, it’s a little more petite at 103.5 cu.ft. with a total cargo space of 63.9 cu.ft. While their sizes might vary slightly year by year, the Blazer will always be the larger; therefore, if you’re a driver who needs more space, the Blazer is the SUV for you.

Because the Blazer is slightly bigger, that means an increase in head and leg room. If you’re a taller person or simply want a little extra wiggle room to stretch out, the Blazer is better equipped to accommodate you.

Speed, I Am Speed

Maybe such a small size difference isn’t that concerning for you. What about the vehicle’s performance? Whether you’re tackling commuter traffic or slippery roads, you want a vehicle that you can depend on and will meet your needs on the road. So how do the two vehicles match up?

With slightly more power under the hood, the Blazer was built for performance. The 2023 Blazer has a standard 2.0L Turbo I-4 or an available V6 engine compared to the Equinox’s single 1.5L Turbo I-4 engine. Don’t get us wrong; the Equinox is more than capable of highway driving and offering drivers a little get-up-and-go action, but the Blazer can inject a sporty charge into a driver’s everyday errands.

The Right Stuff

Having great fuel economy is more important today than it has been since the 1970s. Drivers—especially those who spend an eighth of their day commuting—want a vehicle that will get them where they need to go for less. If that’s the case, drivers should look to the Equinox.

The Equinox may have a smaller engine than the Blazer, but it’s efficient while still being powerful. Mileage will vary depending on the driving condition and the model year, but the 2023 Equinox gets an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway—great stats for those who spend more time idling in traffic than they’d prefer.

In comparison, the 2023 Blazer—with its peppy V6 engine—gets only an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. Drop down to the Blazer’s standard 2.0L Turbo I-4 engine and see a slight increase to 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Because the Blazer is bigger and heavier with a bigger engine, it isn’t the best vehicle if you want to get the most out of every drop of gas.

So not only is the Equinox comfortable and user-friendly, but it gives a lot without asking for a lot, making it the ideal choice for commuters or those who enjoy long road trips.

Tech’d Out

Because both the Equinox and the Blazer are from Chevy, they have similar cabin designs. Both offer a streamlined, modern dash with an easy-to-use screen and technology. Both interiors are designed to hold up and meet your daily demands. The durable interior makes both models good for those who want a great-looking vehicle without the fuss.

Both SUVs offer a large touchscreen that is easy to scroll and swipe your way through, and the ability to sync your phone and access apps and playlists lets drivers adapt their drive to their personal preferences. Both come standard with the Chevy Safety Assist suite of sensor technologies, and both also include Teen Driver mode. This mode helps young drivers develop healthy driving habits while you set limits on things like stereo volume and speed so your teen driver can focus on the road ahead.

Equinox or Blazer?

The flexibility and user-friendly nature of the two SUVs make both great for families looking for a midsize SUV that can grow and change with them. However, a few key differences could make or break your decision…

The Blazer is a sporty vehicle designed to take your drive beyond the norm. A larger engine choice gives you more power than the Equinox, but if you’re a commuter or find you really don’t need the extra performance, the Equinox is more efficient thanks to its slightly smaller design.

Speaking of size, while it’s not a huge difference, it’s good to keep in mind that the Blazer offers a few inches more cabin space for drivers. If you’re tall or simply want a bit more room to stretch out at the end of a long day, those inches can make all the difference. The Blazer is also just slightly better if you want a touch of flexibility in your cargo space.

Both SUVs excel in their tech accoutrements, thanks to Chevy’s clever designs and award-winning safety suite, keeping drivers covered from all sides. This is just one more respect where the Blazer and Equinox are on an even keel.

So which SUV is the one for you? The efficient Equinox? The zippy Blazer? Both are great choices, but it all depends on you. When shopping for your next vehicle, give these two SUVs a closer look; sit in the driver’s seat and get a sense of each one—you’ll find that the real differences are in the minor details.

Keep in mind that while they are both great Chevy models, they offer different things to enhance your drive. Want convenience? Go Equinox. Want flash? Go Blazer. Either way, don’t go home without one.

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

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