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Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Trax: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Chevrolet Trax is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,180 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Trax FFV, 30 MPG combined), against $2,420 for the Chevrolet Equinox (Equinox, 27 MPG combined). That is $240 a year, or $1,200 over five years.

Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Gas
  • Small SUVs

Chevrolet Equinox

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Equinox

27 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
City
29 MPG
Highway

Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.

Annual fuel cost
$2,420

$16.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Wagons
  • Gas
  • Wagons

Chevrolet Trax

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Trax FFV

30 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
City
32 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,180

$14.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

2 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Chevrolet Equinox$2,420 a year · $16.13 per 100 mi
  • Chevrolet Trax$2,180 a year · $14.53 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$240

Chevrolet Trax costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,200

$240 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Trax compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Trax
Lowest-cost configuration EquinoxTrax FFV
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 27 MPG30 MPG (better)
City rating 26 MPG28 MPG (better)
Highway rating 29 MPG32 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $2,420/yr$2,180/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $16.13$14.53 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $850–$2,510$2,180–$2,250
Configurations in MY2026 52
EPA class Small SUVsWagons

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Trax
Powertrain Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Trax
Gas 27 MPG · $2,420/yr Equinox 30 MPG · $2,180/yr Trax FFV
Electric 108 MPGe · $850/yr Equinox EV Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Chevrolet Equinox

  • Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Trax does not

Chevrolet Trax

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $2,180 vs $2,420
  • Higher combined rating: 30 MPG vs 27 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 28 MPG vs 26 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 32 MPG vs 29 MPG

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Trax
Model year Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Trax
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 26–27 MPG $850–$2,510 29–30 MPG $2,180–$2,250
2025 26–27 MPG $860–$2,530 29–30 MPG $2,180–$2,250
2024 26–28 MPG $850–$2,510 30 MPG $2,190
2022 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,400 26–27 MPG $2,420–$2,510
2021 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,520
2020 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,320 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,520
2019 24–32 MPG $2,320–$3,320 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,540
2018 24–32 MPG $2,310–$3,320 27–28 MPG $2,310–$2,470
2017 18–25 MPG $2,610–$3,600 27–28 MPG $2,310–$2,460
2016 18–26 MPG $2,550–$3,540 27–29 MPG $2,250–$2,450
2015 19–26 MPG $2,550–$3,500 27–29 MPG $2,250–$2,450

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Chevrolet Trax?

The Chevrolet Trax is cheaper: about $2,180 a year against $2,420 for the Chevrolet Equinox, a difference of $240 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Chevrolet Trax save over five years?

About $1,200 ($240 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Chevrolet Trax?

The Chevrolet Trax is rated 30 MPG combined against 27 MPG for the Chevrolet Equinox. City: 26 MPG vs 28 MPG. Highway: 29 MPG vs 32 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Chevrolet Equinox and the Chevrolet Trax in the same class?

The EPA classes the Chevrolet Equinox as Small SUVs and the Chevrolet Trax as Wagons, so they are listed as models from the same maker or group.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles