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This Prototype Might Be The Next-Gen Chevy Trailblazer Or Equinox

Back in September, a camo-clad prototype believed to be the all-new 2024 Chevy Trax was spotted testing in black-and-white covers. As it turns out, that particular prototype was not the next-gen Trax, but rather another GM crossover utility vehicle. Now, we’ve come to believed that the prototype in question may have actually been the next-generation Chevy Trailblazer or Chevy Equinox.

The current-generation Chevy Trailblazer made its formal introduction in China back in 2019, resurrecting the Trailblazer nameplate as an all-new small crossover model. As such, even though it may seem relatively new, the current Trailblazer is in fact three-and-a-half years old at this point. That would be a relatively short timeframe for a product to be on the market to warrant a new generation.

Of course, it’s worth mentioning that GM recently pulled the plug on the Chevy Trailblazer for the Chinese market, per previous GM Authority coverage. Critically, the discontinuation of the Chevy Trailblazer in China coincides with the Chinese launch of the all-new 2023 Chevy Seeker, which will be sold in North America as the 2024 Chevy Trax. Be that as it may, the Trailblazer’s departure from China doesn’t affect the Trailblazer’s availability in the U.S., given stateside models are shipped over from the GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea, whereas Chinese-bound models were produced at the GM China (SAIC) Dong Yue plant in Shandong, China.

Prototype crossover.

Prototype crossover

2023 Chevy Trailblazer Activ

2023 Chevy Trailblazer Activ

In China, GM offers the Chevy Tracker alongside the new Chevy Seeker, giving the Bow Tie a one-two punch in the Chinese subcompact crossover segment. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., customers are offered the new 2024 Chevy Trax (badged as the Seeker in China) and the Chevy Trailblazer, but neither of the two are suitable rivals for a new wave of off-road-oriented compact CUVs offered by the competition, such as the Ford Bronco Sport.

Keeping all that in mind, we posit that the prototype in question could be the next-generation Trailblazer. That said, the test vehicle does look to be quite a bit larger than the subcompact footprint that the Trailblazer name now represents. Hence, that leads us to conclude that the prototype in question is the next-generation Chevy Equinox.

GM couldn't truly adapt Chevy's dual-tier lighting signature on the refreshed 2022 Chevy Equinox.

GM couldn’t truly adapt Chevy’s dual-tier lighting signature on the refreshed 2022 Chevy Equinox

GM Authority intel indicates that GM is planning to overhaul (redesign and re-engineer) the Equinox in 2024 for the 2025 model year. If the prototype is, in fact, the Equinox, then we can clearly see that the overhauled model will finally adopt Chevrolet’s new dual-tier headlight aesthetic, something that was difficult to do with the current model, even in conjunction with the refreshed 2022 Equinox.

Chevy's signature dual-tier headlight arrangement on the Blazer.

Chevy’s signature dual-tier headlight arrangement on the Blazer

We’ll keep an eye on this to see how the story develops. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Trailblazer news, Chevy Equinox news, Chevy Trax news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Update: third time’s the charm! Since publishing this article, we have since learned that the prototype in question is that of the 2025 Chevy Equinox.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. I guess we’re still trying to figure out what this is?
    I think I know.

    It’s the new Camaro.

    Reply
  2. This is almost certainly the NG Equinox.

    Reply
    1. When the Blazer came out, word was the Equinox would need a serious design change to fit the design language of the Blazer. 2024 would be the right timing for that to happen.

      Reply
  3. Brother, the current generation Trailblazer will be produced by at least 2026. Given this, it can never be the next Trailblazer. And the car number plate size seems to be Brazilian or Chinese, so isn’t it likely that it’s a next-generation Tracker?

    Reply
  4. Looks too chunky in the front to be the Trailblazer. Too small to be the Equinox.

    Reply
  5. So it could be anything from Chevrolet then.

    Reply
    1. Exactly

      Reply
  6. The current Trailblazer had its debut in 2019 and is due for a redesign, so this may be a 2024 or 2025 prototype mule. The Trailblazer has to maintain its price and features position above the Trax, with this in mind GM sees the need for it to be significantly updated. We already see from the front it has more angular and aggressive lines with a more SUV look, denoting off road capability.

    Reply
  7. The GMC Granite has finally arrived!

    Reply
    1. we could only wish

      Reply
  8. Most likely the Trailblazer. You can see around the wheel wells and the bottom of the doors where the plastic cladding would attach (just like the current TB.) Hopefully there is some sort of glass between the C and D pillars…otherwise visibility is going to be horrendous.

    Reply
    1. All but the back glass is encapsulated. Good job on their part. All we can do is guess.

      Reply
  9. My theory: this is a China-only model. Essentially an extended Trailblazer with a totally new name as the current one was just discontinued in China.
    Supposedly, it didn’t quite meet the tastes of the market and by making it larger and likely adding a third row, it makes it more attractive for that market.

    Perhaps, we might see it here eventually but I get the strong feeling we’ll just see a restyled Trailblazer in North America / South Korea.

    Reply
  10. Is it Possible this is a GMC Granite.

    Reply
  11. Granite where off road should be sold

    Reply
    1. You mean it’s not an EV? What’s up with that, Mary?

      Reply
      1. They have to sell ICE vehicles in order to subsidize the EVs.
        You can’t expect them to sell everything at a loss.

        Reply
  12. This prototype appears to be build off the Equinox / Terrain Chassis. other spy shots of this same vehicle , have with IRS similar to the ‘Nox. also the roof antenna is a fin versus the small antenna on all of the SSV-F cars todate. So what ever it is , its a size up from the current trailblazer.
    Could this be the replacement for the current ICE equinox? , its in need of a refresh. In 24 the all electric Nox will be available , and the current ICE model will have been in production for 7 years so really pasts its prime.

    Reply
    1. The current Equinox platform (D2xx) is being phased out in favor of the VSS-F.

      Also, with the exception of the Full-size trucks and the maybe the Corvette, I don’t think GM is going to offer both ICE and EVs with the same nameplate. That just creates confusion for customers.

      Reply
      1. You raise a good point on the naming of the vehicle, but the IRS on the prototype we see is different than anything else offered on VSS-F todate and the rear suspension looks like a duplicate of what’s under the Nox today

        Reply
  13. It was just announced that we’re getting a new ICE Equinox in 2024 so this definitely is it. I was hoping for the reinstatement of the 2.0 as an option and some kind of hybrid option as well. Wishful thinking !

    Reply

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