To paraphrase the famous meme based on a statement from a former New York City mayoral candidate: the cars are too damn high. For example, Kelley Blue Book puts the average new vehicle transaction price at $49,855 as of July 2026 – down only slightly from the record $50,612 from December 2025.
However, there are still plenty of people shopping for affordable cars, and the popularity of cheap Chevrolet SUVs is proof of that. Two of the brand’s most affordable vehicles posted big gains for the third quarter of 2026, which ended in September.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer And Trax Are Big Winners In Q3
2024 – 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2nd Gen (C1) Facelift SUVChevrolet
Overall, Chevrolet’s volume was down 4.6% in Q3 2026. The deliveries totaled 437,321 units, down from 458,189 vehicles in Q3 2025. From January through September, the company moved 1,304,746 cars, down 5.5% from 1,380,075 models during the same period in 2025.
However, the more affordable Trailblazer and Trax bucked the otherwise downward trend. The Trailblazer had the highest percentage gain of any Chevy vehicle in Q3 2026. The Bowtie delivered 31,075 of them, which was up an astounding 51.1% from 20,569 examples in Q3 2025. Through September, the brand has moved 90,891 for the year – up 21.1% from 75,085 examples in that period in 2025.
The Trax, Chevrolet’s cheapest new vehicle, is posting even higher volumes but lower growth. Chevy moved 57,917 of them in Q3 2026 – up 16.3% from 49,813 units from last year. However, the situation isn’t quite as good for January through September, with Trax deliveries reaching 167,910 examples – a 0.9% drop from 169,406 vehicles during this time last year. That said, if current trends continue, Trax will likely end 2026 on a positive note.
Selected 2026 Chevrolet Product Volume
Model
Q3 2026 Deliveries
Q3 2025 Deliveries
Percentage Change
Chevrolet Trailblazer
31,075
20,569
51.1%
Chevrolet Trax
57,917
49,813
16.3%
Chevrolet Silverado LD
100,221
88,460
13.3%
For additional context, the Silverado 1500 lineup was Chevy’s top-selling product by volume in Q3. It moved 100,221 units in the period, which was up 13.3% over the same period last year. From January through September, the Bowtie has delivered 279,614 of these trucks – a 6.5% gain from 262,540 units for this time in 2025.
Where Do The Trailblazer And Trax Fit In Chevy’s Lineup?
2025 Chevrolet Trax RS driving front 3/4Chevrolet
The Trailblazer and Trax are the two least expensive vehicles currently available from Chevrolet in the United States. The Trax starts at $21,700 (plus a $1,795 destination fee). The base LS trim and all other models come with a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine making 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic sends the power to the front wheels.
CarBuzz recently spied Chevy developing a refreshed Trax. It adopts front-end styling that’s more in line with the automaker’s current design language. There are no details about powertrain changes yet.
The Trailblazer begins at $23,600 and also comes with the turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder, making the same 137 hp and 162 lb-ft as the Trax. However, it uses a CVT to drive the front wheels. The other option is a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder offering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, with a CVT driving the front wheels. There’s also an all-wheel-drive option that uses the 1.3-liter power plant and a nine-speed automatic.
The company recently announced the 2027 Trailblazer. Chevy slightly adjusted prices but also reworked the available features by making the previously optional Driver Confidence and Convenience Packages standard for the Activ trim.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
With average vehicle transaction prices and gasoline trending at near-record levels, there’s a large population of buyers looking for a less expensive vehicle that’s good on gas. For a variety of reasons, they want something new rather than buying a model that’s lightly used. The decision to continue offering products that are over $20,000 less than average is paying off for the brand.
While less-expensive vehicles have lower profit margins, they establish a relationship between the customer and the dealer. These folks are going to be back in the showrooms during the maintenance period, making them more familiar with the company’s latest products. Maybe in a few years, a Trax or Trailblazer buyer decides to buy another, more expensive Chevy.
What Chevrolet vehicle took the biggest sales hit for the third quarter of 2026? The Equinox EV, one of the most popular EVs in America, has nearly dried up. Just 1,905 were sold for the period, compared to over 25,000 last year. Of course, last year’s sales represent a huge rush to purchase before the federal tax credit expired. Still, it’s a year-over-year drop of 92.4%.
