Chevrolet’s two most affordable vehicles are getting smarter. The automaker has revealed updates for the 2027 Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer, adding Google’s Gemini AI assistant, a longer list of standard safety features, a refreshed look for the Trax and a new off-road-inspired Trailblazer Z71.

The changes aren’t dramatic, but they matter for two models that sell in huge numbers. Chevrolet says the Trax and Trailblazer have passed 250,000 combined deliveries so far this year.

Both updated models are expected to reach dealers in spring 2027.

Gemini Comes Standard

The biggest tech change is the addition of Google built-in with Gemini as standard equipment on both SUVs. Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, and in cars it’s designed to understand more natural, conversational requests than older voice assistants.

In practice, that means drivers can use their voice for navigation, messages, music and vehicle settings without needing exact commands. Google built-in also includes apps such as Google Maps directly in the car’s system, so drivers don’t need to connect a phone.

For drivers who prefer their phones, both models still include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, according to Jalopnik.

Bigger Screens

Both models get an updated digital setup:

  • An 11-inch digital instrument display
  • An 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 0.3 inches larger than before

Chevrolet is also making OnStar One available. It includes 12 months of services such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and video streaming, according to Carscoops.

More Standard Safety Features

Safety is one of the most meaningful upgrades, especially for budget-minded buyers. Chevrolet says both SUVs now come with more than 20 standard safety and driver-assistance features, including:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Front and rear parking assist
  • Reverse automatic braking
  • Rear cross-traffic braking
  • Intersection automatic emergency braking
  • Side bicyclist alert
  • Blind-zone steering assist
  • Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates to warn the driver
  • A rear seat belt reminder

Features like adaptive cruise control and intersection braking were once limited to more expensive vehicles, so adding them as standard to Chevy’s entry-level models is a notable step.

What’s New on the 2027 Trax

The Trax gets the bigger visual refresh. It features:

  • A new grille and headlights
  • Redesigned wheels
  • All-LED taillights
  • New hexagonal side air vents
  • A redesigned liftgate that’s available with power operation for the first time

The Trax will be offered in base, RS and ACTIV trims. The RS gets 19-inch wheels, while the ACTIV has its own front-end design, Carscoops reported.

What’s New on the 2027 Trailblazer

The Trailblazer’s changes focus more on the cabin and a new trim. Inside, it gets a column-mounted shifter, which frees up space for a redesigned center console with retractable cupholders and more flexible storage. Rear-seat passengers get their own climate vents, and an AutoSense power liftgate is available.

The headline addition is the new Trailblazer Z71. It comes with:

  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Off-road-tuned suspension
  • An underbody skid plate
  • “Sport-terrain” tires
  • A Jet Black and Storm Sky Gray interior with orange accents and debossed headrests

Chevrolet hasn’t released ground clearance or other off-road specs, so the Z71 is best seen as a light-duty adventure trim rather than a serious off-roader. The Trailblazer lineup also includes base and RS trims.

Both models are available in a new exterior color, Storm Sky Gray.

The Z71 name carries weight for Chevrolet fans. It has long been the badge for off-road packages on Chevy’s pickups and larger SUVs, such as the Silverado, Colorado and Tahoe. Bringing it to the Trailblazer gives the small SUV a dose of that rugged image, aimed at buyers who drive gravel roads to trailheads or campsites more often than rock-crawling trails.

Trax or Trailblazer: What’s the Difference?

Although they share a showroom and a price range, the two models appeal to slightly different buyers. The Trax is the roomier, value-focused option with a lower, wagon-like shape, and it’s the cheaper of the two. The Trailblazer has a more traditional SUV look and offers all-wheel drive, which the new Z71 makes standard.

For 2027, the Trax gets the more noticeable styling update, while the Trailblazer focuses on interior practicality and the new trim. Both now share the same core technology and safety features, so buyers no longer have to choose between them based on equipment.

Pricing and Powertrains

Chevrolet hasn’t announced 2027 pricing yet. For reference, the 2026 Trax starts at $23,495 including destination, and the 2026 Trailblazer starts at $25,395, according to Jalopnik, which expects only slight increases for 2027.

The automaker also didn’t announce any powertrain changes. Both models are expected to remain Chevrolet’s least expensive vehicles.

Why It Matters

Affordable new cars are getting harder to find. As average transaction prices have climbed, models like the Trax and Trailblazer have become some of the few new vehicles still available in the low-to-mid $20,000 range.

Instead of making them bigger or pricier, Chevrolet is adding the kind of features buyers increasingly expect, from AI-powered voice control to automatic emergency braking. That’s a smart way to keep two of its best sellers competitive against rivals such as the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos and Nissan Kicks.

For shoppers on a budget, the 2027 updates mean getting more tech and safety without stepping up to a more expensive vehicle.