There are six SUVs and crossovers in the 2019 lineup of Chevy vehicles, which means you could use them to build a small pyramid with 3 on the bottom, 2 in the middle, and 1 on top. Yes, that’s a weird way to think of the current lineup of Chevy SUVs, but why not? It gives us a chance to look at each one of them and their features, see what they all have to offer, and decide on what they would bring to such a pyramid.
I mean, if we can visualize how to eat certain types of foods as a dietary pyramid (though I’ll be honest: I’m not even sure that’s a thing anymore), then why not Chevy’s SUV lineup? It’s a great way to consider how these vehicles all relate to each other and where they would go in terms of features that build on each other. Plus, what else are you going to do with your free time? Not read a bizarre analysis of Chevy SUVs in the form of a pyramid? That sounds awful.
So let’s get started…
The 2019 Chevy Trax – Compact Crossover
In one of the bottom corners of our pyramid of Chevy SUVs we’re going to start with the 2019 Chevy Trax. This is pretty much the smallest SUV that Chevy offers, so why not place it on the bottom of the pyramid, right? It starts off at $21,300 MSRP, offers up to 25/31 mpg in the city/highway, and gives you just over 48 cu. ft. of cargo space.
So why put it at the bottom? Well, this is the foundation of the Chevy SUV lineup – everything else builds up from here. This is a compact model so it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a larger vehicle, but who is still interested in the perks of an SUV. Like the other Chevy SUVs it’s available as an AWD model, and it has a ton of available safety options such as forward collision alert and side blind zone alert. So what better way to start constructing our pyramid than upon such a solid, if somewhat compact building block?
The 2019 Chevy Equinox – Small Crossover
In the other bottom corner of our strange pyramid, we’ll place the 2019 Chevy Equinox, the other small offering from Chevy. That’s right, the pyramid has the smallest two models at the bottom corners – it’s fine. This little model starts off at just $23,800 MSRP, offers up to 28/39 mpg in the city/highway thanks to a turbo-diesel engine, and has up to nearly 64 cu. ft. of cargo space inside.
These two smaller crossover Chevy SUVs are great examples of the rest of the lineup, so even though they are petite, I’m putting them at the bottom to support the other options. There are three different engines available in the Chevy Equinox, which perfectly represents the kinds of options you find with their other models, including a 2.0L Turbo engine that can offer up to 3,500 lbs. of towing power when properly equipped. That’s pretty amazing for a small SUV, which is why the other models are proud to stand on its shoulders.
The 2019 Chevy Blazer – Sporty Mid-Size Crossover
But remember, our pyramid of Chevy SUVs has to have three vehicles at the base, so what better model to serve as the center of our foundation than the all-new 2019 Chevy Blazer. This is a mid-size crossover with an emphasis on a sporty design that is perfect for going off-road or taking a weekend trip to do some camping. It starts off at $28,800 MSRP, offers up to 22/27 mpg in the city/highway, and provides you with just over 64 cu. ft. of interior cargo space.
Its slightly larger size and options, which include an available 3.6L V6 engine, mean this model has a towing capacity of up to 4,500 lbs. That’s perfect for getting away for a weekend with a trailer or small camper behind you loaded up with all the supplies you need. That sporty versatility is exactly why I place this model in the center of the pyramid, right at the bottom. This may be a new model from Chevy, but it represents everything they provide in terms of smart SUV design and great functionality.
The 2019 Chevy Traverse – Mid-Size Crossover
Now we come to the second row of our pyramid of Chevy SUVs, and here’s where things start getting serious. We have another mid-size crossover SUV, but this one is designed for overall performance and a larger experience, so of course I’m going to put it on top of smaller models. The 2019 Chevy Traverse starts off at $29,930 MSRP, so it’s a great option if you want to start off at less than 30 grand, and it offers about 18/27 mpg in the city/highway, while giving you nearly 100 cu. ft. of cargo space.
Even though this is a mid-size model, it is still quite expansive with comfortable seating for up to 8 people and a ton of available interior and safety features. These include things like forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and forward automatic braking to help avoid collisions. With the right setup, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs. and can be equipped with performance that you can adjust based on road conditions, from front-wheel drive, to off-road, or towing.
The 2019 Chevy Tahoe – Full-Size SUV
The other model on the middle tier of our Chevy SUV pyramid is the first of two true SUVs, rather than crossover models. The 2019 Chevy Tahoe is a full-size SUV, so this is not the choice for the squeamish or drivers who don’t want a large vehicle. It is undeniably large, but all that size gives you a lot of interior space and options that you just can’t get elsewhere. Of course, that size and luxury come at a price: the Tahoe starts off at $48,000 MSRP, and offers up to an estimated 15/22 mpg in the city and highway, with nearly 95 cu. ft. of interior cargo space.
You might be wondering why this is a full-size SUV with slightly less interior cargo space than the mid-size Chevy Traverse. Well that’s a good catch, but keep in mind the Tahoe has an available 5.3L V8 engine that, when properly equipped, gives it a maximum towing capacity of up to 8,600 lbs. That’s far greater towing capacity than any of the smaller Chevy SUVs, which is what you get with so much larger size. And yet, there’s still one more…
The 2019 Chevy Suburban – Large SUV
Atop our glorious pyramid of Chevy SUVs rests the pinnacle of available models: the glorious 2019 Chevy Suburban. The Suburban is a large SUV in every measure and meaning of the word. It’s a big, beautiful behemoth of a vehicle that represents everything you could want from a large SUV and has a seemingly endless array of options available. The starting MSRP for the Suburban is $50,800, and it can offer up to about 14/23 mpg in the city/highway, and has more than 121 cu. ft. of interior cargo space.
Yes, the largest, most amazingly beastly SUV is placed atop my pyramid, crushing its smaller siblings with its impressive girth. Would it make more sense to have this at the bottom, supporting the other models? Yes, but this is a hypothetical pyramid of SUVs, don’t get all logic-y on me now. This monster seats up to 9 people comfortably, and thanks to an available 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine, it can offer up to 8,300 lbs. of towing capacity.
Behold, the Pyramid is complete! Admittedly, this is a strange way to consider a manufacturer’s lineup, but it works. Now it’s up to you to decide how far up you want to climb and pick the model that’s just right for you.
