The Best Used Chevy Crossover SUVs

Chevrolet has a long history with the SUV and currently offers no fewer than seven different SUV models. And if you are shopping for used cars for sale in Ohio, you will notice that several models have seen significant changes in the last few years. So to help you understand what to look for when shopping for a used Chevy SUV, we at McCluskey Chevrolet decided to put together a short guide explaining the significant differences and model year changes. If you want to know more about Chevrolet’s product line or take one of these vehicles for a test drive, then stop by our Cincinnati, Ohio dealership. Our knowledgeable and friendly sales team will be happy to show you the hundreds of new and used cars we have for sale.

Subcompact Style

Starting at the bottom, the smallest Chevy SUV is the subcompact Chevy Trax. Not much larger than the average car, the Trax is an excellent choice for people who want the ride height and off-road performance of an SUV, but who do not need lots of space for passengers or cargo. Recently, Chevrolet also introduced a second, slightly larger, subcompact SUV – the Chevy Trailblazer. But while the Chevy Trax was first introduced for the 2013 model year and can be easily found among the used cars for sale in Ohio, the Trailblazer is brand new for the 2020 model year, and we have not yet seen many used ones pass through our dealership. So if you are shopping for a used subcompact SUV, the Chevy Trax will probably be your only choice for sale at a reasonable price.

Because the Chevy Trax is still in its first generation, it makes shopping for one on the used car market rather straight-forward. This is made even simpler by the fact that the Trax has only been offered for sale with a single engine and transmission – a 1.4L turbo with 138 horsepower coupled to a six-speed automatic. However, like nearly all SUVs, the Trax does come in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Given the weather in Ohio, we prefer the all-wheel drive version if you can find one for sale. Although the Chevy Trax did receive a mild update for the 2017 model year, this mostly changed the looks and some interior materials. However, if you need to have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your used car, then the 2017 and later vehicles are the ones for you as the refresh did upgrade the infotainment system.

But beyond those critical points, shopping for a used Chevy Trax is mainly a matter of finding one in the right color and with the right options for a reasonable price. And as always, when looking at used cars for sale, especially in harsher climates like Ohio, make sure to buy from a dealer you can trust. While you may feel like you are getting a better deal from a used car salesperson or private seller, buying from a certified dealership like us at McCluskey Chevrolet means that you will not have any surprises waiting for you after you drive off the lot.

Versatile Midsize Options

But if the Chevy Trax is too small for your needs, then take a look at the Chevy Equinox. This compact two-row SUV is one of Chevrolet’s best-selling models and makes an excellent all-around vehicle for almost anyone. First released back in 2005, the Equinox has gone through three generations. While the third generation, which was introduced for 2018, is relatively common on the used car market, you can also find great deals among the second-generation Equinoxes for sale here in Ohio. For the 2019 model year, Chevrolet also released the somewhat larger Chevy Blazer. However, as with the company’s subcompact models, the newer vehicle is still challenging to find for sale on the used car market, and one will cost nearly as much as a new model. So if you want to stick with looking at the used cars for sale, the Equinox is generally the better choice.

But unlike the Chevy Trax, finding the right used Chevy Equinox for sale is no simple matter. Even choosing between a second or third-generation vehicle is more than just a matter of cost, because the third generation is noticeably smaller and less powerful than the second generation. If you do decide that modern features outweigh physical size, then you will still be faced with the choice of three different engines for the third generation Equinox. The most common engines among the used cars for sale are a 1.5L turbo with 170 horsepower and a 2.5L turbo with 252 horsepower. While a small number of the 2018 and 2019 vehicles were offered for sale with a 137 horsepower 1.5L turbo-diesel, you will probably have to search to find one of these used cars for sale in Ohio. Overall, we think that the Equinox with the 2.5L engine is the best option. Not only does it offer more power, but it also comes with a superior nine-speed automatic transmission.

If you can live without a modern infotainment system and want a bigger vehicle, then looking for a used second-generation Equinox for sale is also worth considering. The best of the second generation vehicles are the 2013 model year and newer. These had an improved six-speed automatic transmission, optional advanced safety features, and the top engine was changed from a 3.0L V6 with 264 horsepower to a 3.5L V6 with 301 horsepower. If you are more interested in fuel economy than in power, the base model of the second-generation Equinox came with a 2.4L engine with 182 horsepower that will serve you just fine. But while there are many versions of the Chevy Equinox available among the used cars for sale in Ohio, the popularity of this vehicle means that you will probably be able to find whatever configuration you want without too much work.

The Full Three Rows

Rounding out Chevrolet’s crossover lineup is the Chevy Traverse. This three-row SUV is the vehicle of choice for large families or people who need a bit more cargo space. Dating back to 2009, the Traverse is currently on its second generation, which was introduced for the 2018 model year. As with the Chevy Equinox, this makes either generation of the Chevy Traverse a solid choice out of the used cars for sale. However, if you are looking for a first-generation Traverse, be aware that the 2013 model year update brought substantial improvements to the interior, infotainment, and transmission, while the 2014 model year added optional advanced safety equipment. Although both generations of the Traverse were only offered for sale with 3.6L V6 engines, the second generation is significantly more powerful at 310 horsepower. Most of the first generation vehicles were rated at 281 horsepower, but if you find one for sale with dual exhaust, then it has 388 horsepower. While the difference is marginal, it is something to keep in mind when looking at the used cars for sale.

Finally, Chevrolet has its two full-size SUVs – the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban. Unlike the crossover SUVs, these massive vehicles are built on a truck-like rear-wheel drive platform. While this has both advantages and disadvantages, it puts the Tahoe and Suburban into a different class of vehicle than the crossover SUVs covered above. If you want to see the difference between how a crossover and a full-size SUV perform, then we recommend that you stop by our dealership and take them for a test drive. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we have one of the largest selections of used cars for sale in Ohio. Whether it is one of the Chevy models we covered here or something from another manufacturer that we received as a trade-in, we are sure that we can find you the used SUV that fits your needs the best.