GM Authority spy photographers have captured a mysterious prototype for a new crossover model that could slot in beneath the compact Chevy Equinox in the Bowtie brand’s crossover lineup.
We first spied this mysterious new Chevy crossover testing on public roads last fall, however it has since dropped most of its camo to reveal near-production ready styling cues. At the time, we assumed the vehicle was a prototype for the next-generation Chevy Equinox, however we now know that nameplate will be transformed into a battery-electric offering. This crossover could therefore slot in between the subcompact Trailblazer and the compact Equinox in the automaker’s crossover portfolio, building on the sporty spirit and design of the Blazer, but wrapped in a smaller package. This strategy would echo that of rival automakers, like Jeep for example, which offers the subcompact Renegade, the compact Compass and the slightly larger (though still not quite mid-sized) Cherokee.
Another possibility is that this mystery crossover is being developed for the Chinese market or another global market that Chevy operates in and won’t be sold in North America. GM may be hyper-focused on developing and introducing new EVs for the North American market, but there is still a need for new ICE vehicles in China and emerging markets.
What we do know is that this mystery crossover is not the future Chevy crossover coupe that GM Authority reported on previously. This model will be slightly larger than the subcompact Chevy Trailblazer and will take on a coupe-like shape with a narrow greenhouse and rearward sloping roofline. While this prototype has somewhat dramatic angles and a mildly sloped roof, this is not representative of the future coupe crossover’s styling.
It’s hard to say which engine will power this mystery crossover, as we’re not sure if it will be sold in North America or China/emerging markets. It’s possible it will use GM’s global VSS-S platform, though, a highly flexible, next-generation GM vehicle architecture designed to underpin a wide variety of different front-wheel-drive crossover models.
We’ll keep digging until we find out exactly what this mystery prototype crossover really is. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Equinox news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Could this still be the next gen Equinox? It looks so close to the size of the current Equinox.
Could this be a resurrection of the Tracker name?
Something has to replace the traxx
Why can’t the Trailblazer replace the Trax?
Chevy already resurrected the Tracker in other markets as a successor to the Trax, and this prototype actually looks a lot like the new Tracker, but it’s not quite the same.
I think this is the equinox. My guess is that both ICE and Electric Equniox will be styled similarly and marketed together despite being mechanically unrelated.
I agree that this may be the next Equinox . I don’r see any tailpipes on it, so it may be the electric Equinox.
Def the next gen gas equinox idk what they’re thinking
Because 5 crossovers is just not enough…
Especially with $4 a gallon gas.
But fortunately the smart Japanese are still selling sedans & hybrids.
Evan: You come on here to wave your pom poms for the Japanese brands. You are such a Japanese apologist. Why don’t you go back to the meeting room at your Toyota store and figure out how to get more sheep into the brand.
BTW, if you think that the Japanese brands are not on the exact same path as GM and Ford, you are totally wrong! In reality, Toyota has just the Camry and Corolla left. Honda has the Accord and Civic. Look at the numbers of CRV’s vs. Civic. Look at Rav4 vs. Corolla. And further proof is that Toyota just introduced the “Corolla Cross”. Personally, I’m tired of SUV/CUV’s and I hope sedan’s live on. But your comment is just out of touch with reality and shows that you are just a cheerleader for the Asian’s.
Yeah, well, what does GM have left? The Alphas and the Malibu which is basically a fleet car at this point it’s so awful.
If I have to commute again I’ll be buying something similar in price and size of the Cruze. Which is equivalent to what in GMs portfolio now?
@Buick_regal: Why do you say the Malibu is awful? I just purchased a brand new 2021 LT and I’m finding myself being quite impressed with it. I work at a Volvo and Mazda store and the Malibu is every bit as nice and as good as the Mazda 6 (now gone) and nicer than the Mazda 3. I came out of a 2021 Volvo S60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) and sold it because I made some good money on it. Although it’s not fair to compare a $55,000 gas/electric Volvo with a $30,000 all gas Chevy, I can certainly say that I’m just as happy with the Chevy as I was the Volvo.
You are correct in that GM doesn’t have anything directly comparable to the Cruze now, but the Malibu would be a perfect car for that. It has more room, rides better, comparable MPG and is about the same price (now) as the Cruze was several years ago.
If you drove a 2.0 Malibu, you’d be surprised of what type of car you get. A similar Cam/Cord would cost more..
Last I checked, and it’s been a while, the 2.0L was only available on the premium that they wanted about $35k for.
I remember this because it seems so ridiculous to force the 1.5L on all the other trim levels.
I would be surprised (and I haven’t checked) if the Camry or Accord weren’t a better deal in that aspect.
Nate: I just pulled both the Toyota and Honda websites up and clicked on build the Accord and build the Camry. The base Accord is about $1,500 higher than the base Malibu and the top Accord is just over $38,000 before any additions. So that tops the Malibu’s top model by a good amount.
The base Camry starts about a grand more than the Malibu and tops out just over $36,000 before add ons.
The Malibu is a better value and still is when comparably equipped. Plus it’s an American brand car assembled in America as well.
Accord Sport 2.0L is $33,260
Camry TRD 3.5L is $32,460
Malibu 2.0L is $34,495
That was my point. They aren’t forcing you to buy the most expensive model to upgrade the motor.
If American content is your concern, then the Camry beats the Malibu and the Accord easily beats them both.
Nate: I’d have to do even more research on this, but I feel like you are cherry picking there. I simply went to each of their build sites and looked at the entire range. I’ll stand by my commnet because I know for a fact that both Honda and Toyota don’t offer the same content that GM has or does. You are speaking just of the engine alone. I’m speaking about when you do a comparison and see that the Malibu will be cheaper with more content. When you look at it, the top Malibu with no extra options checked is a very well equipped car with feature that would require the higher models from the other two. And remember, not everyone is all about the biggest and most powerful engines. Personally, I find the 1.5L turbo in my Malibu to be more than adequate.
To top it all off, the Malibu is an American brand assembled in the USA. That means a lot to many (although not nearly enough) and I’ll take the Malibu over anything Japanese any day of the year.
Why are you still arguing this? My entire point was that you have to buy the Premier Malibu to get the 2.0L instead of a 1.5L CVT.
That is still the case.
It costs more than upgrading those other cars do.
Cherry picking? All I did was prove what I suggested. It took about 5 minutes.
I think it looks like a Blazer or Equinox…
To me, this looks more like a re-fresh of the Trailblazer. Too small for the Equinox and I have zero idea why they would attempt to squeeze yet another CUV in with the Trax (yes, will probably be gone soon), the Trailblazer, Equinox and Blazer.
With the way things are going now don’t jinx it lol. Some gm corporate person might see your comment and think you know what that’s exactly what we need another CUV lol I’m joking.
Dan, in high school I had a friend if he recommended a movie we all knew it was bad and didn’t see it. I don’t remember his name is that you? SUV/CUV’s are the hot sellers of the current time. We don’t value your old school opinions.
Oh, I’m so sorry master Mick1. I forgot to ask for your permission to post a comment. Maybe next time. BTW, do you go around saying that same stupid lame stuff to nearly every person on here who is posting their opinions? Ya, thought not. Troll.
Always a bit hard to tell with spy photos, but I notice this seems to have quite high ground clearance. I wonder if this is going to be some kind of competitor to Subaru?
5-seater CUVs have to have high ground clearance (>7 inches) so that they fall under light truck rules for CAFE. Other examples: Toyota RAV4 8.4 in, Nissan Rogue 8.2 in, Subaru Forester 8.7 in, Ford Escape 7.8 in.
Looks like the size of the envision
I remember reading something about a camaro/cross maybe this is it. Same grill material as a base camaro.
Guess it’s the new ICE Equinox, looks a lot like the new Envision.
Given the size and shape of the front license plate frame I’m going to guess it’s a foreign market car North America won’t see.
Given the size and shape of the front license plate frame, I’m going to guess it would hold a normal North American plate, just like the one they slapped on the back.
Parece o tracker chinês e brasileiro
Who knows what it is and who really cares. It’s just another bland crossover of which there are far too many already. New cars cloaked in camo used to excite me. I’d wonder what design was lurking beneath but all these crossovers are pretty much the same. There’s never anything interesting hidden under that disguise.
The only thing good I see is further evidence that the gigantic headlight era is ending. The lights that span from the front corner to half-way over the fender and that turn yellow with time truly need to go. That seems to finally be happening as evidenced by this prototype.
What’s a ” Sub-Chevy Equinox Chevy”?
Dude your tripping bro
Nomad.
Looks like the Menlo EV that came out a few years back but was not for NA consumption.
This could be what replaces the Malibu in the line up if they decide to go no-sedans, Nomad would be a good name.
I’m as excited about it as I would be for a root canal….
This looks like a longer wheel base variant of the Buick Envision (E2UB), or a lower roof version of the XT4 (E2UL), to me. Either way, I’d say it is on the small-midsize E2Ux.