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General Motors (GM) has given its small and midsize SUVs a serious makeover, turning them from forgettable “dad bod” designs into head-turning rides with muscle. Once known for misfires like the Pontiac Aztek, GM’s designers have transformed their compact and mid-size SUV fleet from “AI-generated blobs” into some of the automaker’s most valuable offerings. In fact, these smaller SUVs have become GM’s No. 2 asset by sales, second only to the company’s famous pickup trucks. This shift comes as Detroit’s Big Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis) back away from traditional sedans and double down on crossovers and SUVs, a trend plenty of Metro Detroit drivers have witnessed in their own neighborhoods. Families who might have driven sedans a decade ago are now upgrading to stylish compact SUVs that better fit a Michigan lifestyle of weekend getaways and soccer practice carpools.
Want the local backstory on GM’s strategy? Read our Orion Assembly update
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From “Dad Bod” to “Abs”: Why GM Revamped Its SUVs
Not long ago, some of GM’s smaller SUVs were described as “bulbous” or bland, the kind of vehicles that risked making owners feel like “a sad dad or a sad soccer mom,” as one industry analyst quipped. The previous-generation Chevy Equinox, Trax, and even the mid-size Traverse suffered from overly safe styling, round shapes, minimal character lines, and a generally uninspired look that did nothing to stand out on Woodward Avenue or in the Troy Motor Mall. “One of the things that plagued the previous Equinox and the Trax and the Traverse was that they looked like…AI-generated blobs,” recalls Edmunds analyst Joseph Yoon, noting how cautious design left these models looking anonymous. GM was arguably “playing it safe” for fear of alienating loyal buyers, adds Karl Brauer of iSeeCars. But in doing so, they weren’t exciting new customers.
That mentality has changed dramatically. Over the past few years, GM’s design teams decided there’d be “no more dad bod” styling, it was time for visible “abs, lats and delts” on their SUVs. In other words, they gave these vehicles a workout plan and a sharper wardrobe. The timing was perfect: during the pandemic, Americans (Metro Detroiters included) developed a new love for outdoor adventure, making “rugged, adventurous” aesthetics more popular. Meanwhile, millennials started families and wanted crossovers that looked cool, not frumpy minivans. Vans fell out of favor, and compact crossovers surged as the go-to family vehicles, but only if they had style. GM took note. The result is an entire lineup of small and midsize SUVs with bolder designs, each tailored to its brand identity and buyer preferences.
Crucially, the redesigns are paying off in the showroom. Chevrolet’s gas-powered Equinox and the pint-sized Trax are now GM’s third- and fourth-best selling models this year in the U.S., with sales up 22% and 32% respectively compared to the same period last year. In Metro Detroit, it’s hard not to notice more new Trax and Equinox crossovers on the road, often sporting bright new colors and confident stances. GM’s small SUV lineup went from “overly conservative” to “cutting edge” in style, helping the automaker win back market share in these hugely important segments. (“The compact SUV category is huge in every sense… hugely important, huge in volume, huge in potential profits,” notes Brauer.) Of course, the makeover isn’t purely cosmetic, these new models also bring more technology and features than their predecessors. But design has been the sizzle capturing buyers’ attention first.
Below, we’ll break down GM’s new-look small and midsize SUVs across its brands, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC, through the lens of a lifelong Michigander who knows the local car culture. From Chevy’s truck-inspired crossovers to Buick’s elegant new identity and GMC’s tougher Terrain, here’s a closer look at the models turning heads around Metro Detroit.
Chevrolet: Active, Rugged, and Family-Friendly
GM’s volume brand, Chevrolet, has leaned into its All-American “truck brand” heritage to inject some brawn and adventure into its small SUVs. Global Chevrolet design director Phil Zak, a key figure based out of GM’s Warren Tech Center, spearheaded a brand-wide styling overhaul after taking the helm in 2019. The goal? Give even the entry-level Chevys a dose of the Silverado’s swagger. “We translated the masculinity of our pickups… throughout the lineup and down to the compact Trax,” Zak explains. In plain speak, that means even Chevy’s cheapest crossover now sports a bold, truck-like face and chiseled body lines, no more pudgy anonymity.
Trax and Equinox: Little SUVs with Big Attitude
Nowhere is this transformation more obvious than with the 2024 Chevy Trax, the smallest SUV in Chevy’s stable. First introduced back in 2015, the original Trax was practical but forgettable, it had “undefined curves and an overall shape reminiscent of cartoonish toy cars,” as observers joked. The new Trax, by contrast, looks “lithe,” low and wide, with defined wheel arches and an angular, aggressive grille that immediately signal its fresh personality. One Detroit-area Chevy dealer put it best: “For what it was, it was decent… but then when they remodeled it, it’s like wow. Night and day,” said Walt Tutak of Champion Chevrolet in Royal Oak, marveling at the improvement. The redesign stretches the Trax’s body longer and lower, adding sporty proportions and even more interior space for your Costco runs or a drive up to Sleeping Bear Dunes. With its sleek LED headlights and available 18- or 19-inch wheels, the new Trax exudes a confident “no more entry-level frump” vibe. It’s even available in vibrant hues like Marina Blue and Cacti Green, reflecting a youthful energy that resonates with first-time buyers.
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ sports a lower, wider stance and bold styling cues cribbed from Chevy’s larger SUVs. Once dismissed as a bulbous “toy car,” the Trax’s redesign gives it an athletic profile and truck-inspired grille that feel right at home on Michigan roads.
Importantly, the Trax still nails the value factor. Starting under $22,000, it offers modern must-haves like a standard suite of advanced safety tech (automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, etc.) and available 8- to 11-inch touchscreens with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. In fact, Car and Driver just named the Chevy Trax one of its 10Best Trucks/SUVs for 2025, for the second year in a row – praising its generous cargo space, abundant safety features, and the fact that it offers five trim levels all starting under $26,000. That’s a big win for a “gateway” model that GM hopes will bring young drivers into the Chevy family without busting their budgets. Around Metro Detroit, you’ll spot plenty of these new Trax crossovers in driveways from Warren to Westland, as young professionals and empty nesters alike appreciate a vehicle that’s easy to park in the city yet versatile enough for a weekend camping trip in the Pinckney Recreation Area.
Sitting a notch above the Trax, the Chevrolet Equinox has also gotten a style refresh for 2025. Always a strong seller due to its just-right size, the Equinox was previously so conservative in design that it often went unnoticed. No longer. The 2025 Equinox adopts a tougher, more squared-off look, echoing the design language of Chevy’s bigger SUVs like the Blazer and Tahoe. The grille is broader and more upright, the fender flares are more pronounced, and the once-roundish rear now has sharper edges. One Ohio dealer noted even details like the taillights got a stylish redo: “The lines on it, the way they even put the taillights in the back, is well thought out… whoever the design engineers are… are just exceptional,” said Rick Sandoval of Greenwood Chevrolet. Equinox sales were already robust, but this infusion of style (along with tech upgrades such as a larger infotainment screen and available all-terrain look on the new Equinox “Activ” trim) should keep it on shopping lists. In Detroit’s suburbs, where a compact crossover often serves as the household workhorse, the Equinox’s combination of fresh design and reliability hits a sweet spot, you might not need a Tahoe for runs to Trader Joe’s or tailgating at Ford Field, and the Equinox now offers a bit of that big-SUV charisma in a nimbler package.
Planning a color tour in your next SUV? Start with our fall road trips guide
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Traverse: A “Baby Tahoe” with Muscle
Chevy didn’t stop at the little guys, even the family-hauling Traverse got a buff new bod. The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse emerged this past year with a square-jawed, assertive style that had even GM’s top brass doing double-takes. The previous Traverse was competent but had a whiff of minivan about it, with a soft shape geared toward maxing out interior space. The redesign changes all that: the new Traverse wears a blocky front end, strong shoulder lines, and a planted stance that screams SUV, not minivan. It looks so much like a scaled-down Tahoe that early viewers nicknamed it the “baby Tahoe,” a moniker Chevy is happy to embrace. In fact, when GM’s CEO Mary Barra questioned whether the design went too far macho, Zak reassured her it was exactly what customers want. “Not at all… we really think this resonates,” he said of giving the Traverse more truck-like DNA. The idea is that buyers who aspire to a big Chevy Tahoe for its style can get a taste of that in the cheaper, more garage-friendly Traverse, which is important for families in places like Royal Oak or Dearborn, where narrower streets and tighter parking reward slightly smaller dimensions.
The local reception? Pretty enthusiastic. Metro Detroiters appreciate that the Traverse finally looks as rugged as the places they intend to take it, whether that’s navigating snowy streets in Sterling Heights or towing a trailer up north for a weekend at the cabin. The new Traverse even offers an off-road oriented Z71 trim with all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance, recognizing that many Michigan families like to venture onto dirt roads and lakeside campsites. And inside, Chevy addressed prior complaints by packing the Traverse with technology and comfort. Every 2024 Traverse comes standard with a huge 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, effectively turning the dash into a widescreen command center. Chevy also added a suite of advanced safety aids (everything from automatic emergency braking to blind zone steering assist is standard or available) to keep families safe on Woodward or I-94 traffic. The result is a three-row SUV that’s brawny on the outside, modern and Michigan-winter-ready on the inside. It’s no surprise that the Traverse, alongside its smaller Trax and Equinox siblings, is helping Chevy “speak to a broad range of customers” and keep them in the fold as their vehicle needs grow
Buick: Sculptural Elegance Aimed at Younger Drivers
For decades, the Buick brand had a reputation around Detroit as the car your grandparents drove, plush, quiet, and a bit behind the times style-wise. That’s no longer the case. In the past few years Buick has completely reinvented itself, dumping sedans and committing fully to stylish small and midsize SUVs with a “sculptural, timeless, yet elegant” character. Sharon Gauci, GM’s executive design director for Buick and GMC, describes Buick’s new design philosophy with words like “softer, sculptural beauty” and “timeless, not trendy”. The goal was to shed the stodgy image and appeal to style-conscious younger buyers, all while keeping a certain Buick polish. It’s a delicate balance, but recent Buicks are pulling it off, garnering attention even from millennials who might never have considered the tri-shield brand before.
The Encore to Envista: “Looking Back to Look Forward”
Buick’s renewal can be encapsulated by comparing its first small SUV, the Encore, to its latest, the Envista. The original Buick Encore debuted in 2013 and, while popular for its tidy size, it was undeniably “adorable”, critics said it looked like a shrunken minivan with its bubbly curves and tall roof. That design made sense in its time, but as tastes evolved it became clear Buick needed a bolder approach. Enter the Buick Envista, launched for 2024/2025 as Buick’s new entry-level crossover coupe. This model is the “purest interpretation” of Buick’s Wildcat concept car, a 2022 luxury coupe concept that signaled Buick’s future look. The Wildcat EV concept wowed crowds at the Detroit Auto Show with its low-slung, “ready to pounce” stance and muscular lines inspired by mid-century modern art (some likened its silhouette to a crouching jaguar figurine). Buick’s design team quite literally “went back to look forward,” mining the brand’s post-WWII styling cues and infusing them with futuristic touches. The Envista takes those cues, the sleek profile, forward-leaning nose, and even Buick’s new tri-shield logo, and brings them to life in a practical small SUV. The result is unlike any Buick we’ve seen: a low roof and long wheelbase give it a sporty stance, and sculpted body sides and a modern grille make it clear this isn’t your grandpa’s Buick sedan.
Crucially, Buick’s bet on style seems to be attracting younger buyers in Metro Detroit and beyond. The Envista’s buyers are, on average, about 7 years younger than Buick’s prior average, indicating that more folks in their 30s and 40s are giving the brand a chance. Part of that fresh appeal is also thanks to Buick’s updated badging and marketing, even the Buick logo got a sleek redesign (three bold shields in a horizontal row) that dealers like Ray Laethem of Detroit say has “drawn younger buyers” into showrooms. “Buick is a radical transformation… in the last three years or so,” Laethem says. Locally, one can see more Buicks popping up in places like Birmingham or along Lakeshore Drive in St. Clair Shores, often driven by professionals who a decade ago might have chosen a German luxury make. These new Buicks offer a compelling blend of attainable luxury and distinctive design – appealing to someone who wants a dash of elegance but maybe doesn’t want the same BMW or Lexus as everyone else.
A Boutique Feel with Modern Tech
Despite the retro inspiration, today’s Buicks are thoroughly modern inside. The 2025 Envista, for example, features a driver-centric cockpit with a whopping 19 inches of combined digital screen space (a large 11-inch infotainment touchscreen flows into an 8-inch digital gauge cluster). That’s a lot of digital real estate in a small SUV, and it’s all about providing the connectivity and convenience younger buyers expect. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even available wireless charging keep the cabin clutter-free and tech-forward. Buick has essentially taken the near-luxury features it was always known for (quiet ride, comfortable seats) and layered on the kind of tech and style that today’s drivers demand. Safety hasn’t been ignored either, the Envista and its slightly larger stablemate the Encore GX come standard with advanced driver aids like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, ensuring that the “grandma car” stereotypes truly belong in the past.
From a Metro Detroit perspective, Buick’s renaissance is exciting because it breathes new life into a historic local brand. This is the same marque that our parents or grandparents might have trusted, now reinvented for a new generation cruising the Lodge Freeway or parking at Campus Martius. With sleek models like the Envista and the recently refreshed Encore GX, Buick has proven it can honor its “timeless” design legacy while staying relevant to modern tastes, a balance that’s earning it new fans in the Motor City.
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GMC: Compact SUVs with a Bold, Truck-Inspired Stance
Lastly, we turn to GMC, GM’s truck and SUV-focused brand known for professional-grade ruggedness. GMC’s full-size Sierra pickups and Yukon SUVs have long projected a “bold, commanding, premium” image, but until recently that character didn’t fully translate to the smaller end of its lineup. The GMC Terrain, a compact SUV cousin of the Equinox, was often seen as a bit anonymous, nice enough, but not instantly recognizable as a GMC. Sharon Gauci acknowledges that in the past, GMC’s smaller SUVs “lacked as much personality” and had trouble standing out. So for 2025, GMC set out to give even its compact Terrain a shot of big-truck attitude. The teams in Warren, MI (where designers for Chevy, Buick, and GMC work side by side) made sure each brand’s DNA was distinct: “working alongside [each other] has helped separate out each brand with a distinct identity,” Gauci notes. For GMC, that identity means “bold, technical, and machine-like” styling, even on a smaller footprint.
The refreshed 2025 GMC Terrain now looks right at home next to a Sierra pickup. Designers grafted a more upright, squared grille onto its face, much like what you’d see on a Sierra or larger Yukon, immediately giving the Terrain a tougher front end. The stance is more aggressive, helped by a revised hood and fenders that impart a wider, more planted look. In profile, the Terrain gained more pronounced body lines and optional two-tone paint schemes (with a contrast black or gray roof) that play into the trendy off-road aesthetic. It’s a marked change; one local dealer, Ray Laethem (who also sells GMCs in Detroit), admitted “I was never a big fan of the last generation Terrain… it was a little too plain. Now… they’ve given it a more rugged appearance,” noting that the new model seems aimed at the outdoor lifestyle crowd. Indeed, GMC is clearly courting buyers who want a small SUV but also crave that go-anywhere look, perhaps folks who spend weekends biking in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area or kayaking on Lake Erie and want a vehicle that looks the part. Even if many Terrains will simply shuttle kids to school in Macomb or groceries from Meijer, styling them to appear off-road-ready is part of the appeal.
Inside the Terrain, GMC has kept things upscale yet functional. Premium touches like available leather seats, a head-up display, and plenty of chrome or brushed aluminum trim align with GMC’s “professional grade” mantra. Tech is shared with its Chevy siblings, expect the latest infotainment interface, standard safety aids, and optional all-wheel drive with modes for snow or mud (essential for Michigan winters). While not a complete overhaul, the Terrain’s refresh finally gives GMC a cohesive family look from smallest to largest. It’s now easy to tell that the Terrain belongs to the same family as the brawny Yukon when you see one pulling up in a Novi parking lot or cruising down Michigan Avenue.
Modern Features and Local Appeal
One common thread across all these updated GM SUVs is that the improvements aren’t skin deep. Along with bolder exteriors, GM has packed in features that resonate with today’s drivers (and earned some industry kudos along the way). For instance, all of these models come with standard or available suites of advanced safety features, a selling point for safety-conscious families around Metro Detroit. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitors and more are either standard or easily accessible packages on the Chevy Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Buick Envista, and GMC Terrain. It’s reassuring when navigating Michigan’s busy freeways or when teen drivers borrow the car.
Connectivity is another area where GM has stepped up its game. Larger touchscreens and digital displays have become a hallmark of the new interiors: we’ve noted the Traverse’s best-in-class 17.7-inch screen and the Envista’s 11-inch screen, and even the humble Trax now offers up to an 11-inch infotainment display on higher trims, unheard of for an “entry-level” vehicle just a few years ago. All models support smartphone integration and often wireless phone charging, meaning the vehicle can integrate seamlessly into a connected lifestyle (handy for streaming playlists on a drive out to Belle Isle or using navigation to find that new restaurant in Midtown). GM has effectively democratized some tech features that used to be luxury-only: for example, the 2024 Traverse offers Super Cruise (GM’s hands-free driving system) on certain trims, so a parent driving up I-75 to Mackinaw City can give their arms a break on long stretches. While Super Cruise isn’t on the smaller entry models, the trickle-down of tech is clear.
Let’s also not forget performance and capability improvements. Many of these SUVs gained new or updated powertrains to match their looks. The Traverse swapped its V6 for a high-torque 2.5L turbo engine (delivering more power than before), and models like the Trax and Envista use a punchy 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder that offers peppy around-town response with solid fuel economy. No one’s buying a small SUV to win drag races on Woodward, but the extra zip is appreciated in daily driving, like merging onto I-696. Plus, efficiency matters when gas prices fluctuate; these engines and lighter designs help stretch the miles on Detroit commutes.
In essence, GM’s small and midsize SUV lineup has undergone a holistic evolution: bold design, improved tech, thoughtful features, and targeted branding all working together. And it’s very much a response to what customers, especially Metro Detroit customers, have signaled they want. As one analyst summed up, GM finally grew “brave enough to go out and conquest new buyers” with daring styling, rather than staying timid to avoid scaring off the old ones. That gamble seems to be working. It’s reinvigorating showroom traffic and ensuring that folks who might have drifted to competitors (like Asian brands long strong in the compact SUV game) now give GM a fresh look.
Want to see these models up close? Use our Detroit Auto Show guide
Hitting the Road in Style – Detroit Families Rejoice
General Motors’ decision to sharpen the styling and substance of its small and midsize SUVs is reaping rewards, and not just on the sales charts, but in customer goodwill and local pride. In Metro Detroit, these vehicles feel tailor-made for our lifestyles. They’re the right size for navigating both city streets and weekend adventures, they boast designs that make you smile when you walk up to them in the driveway, and they carry forward the legacy of Detroit automotive know-how in a very modern way. A few years ago, you might not have heard someone bragging about their Chevy Trax or Buick Encore; today, it’s not uncommon to hear neighbors chatting about the cool new features on their 2025 Equinox or how their Envista turns heads at the office.
If you’re in the market for a family-friendly ride or even just car-curious about where GM is heading, take a closer look at these 2024–2025 Chevy, Buick, and GMC models. Stop by a local dealership or the next Detroit auto show and see the “no more dad bod” designs up close, the difference is striking. As a community, Detroit has always valued both function and flair in our vehicles (we do host the world’s biggest cruise celebrating classic car style, after all!). It’s refreshing to see GM infuse that flair into the very vehicles many of us drive every day.
Ready to experience the new GM lineup? Consider taking one of these SUVs for a test drive on your favorite Metro Detroit routes, maybe a spin down Jefferson Ave by the river or through the scenic roads of Oakland County. You might be surprised at how much personality and confidence they exude. And if you’re looking for more personalized guidance, whether it’s choosing the right vehicle for your growing family or even finding a home with that perfect three-car garage to park your new ride, don’t hesitate to reach out to local experts. As lifelong Michiganders, we love sharing insights on all the things that move you. From the latest cars to the best communities to drive them in, we’re here to help you navigate the road ahead in style. Safe travels and happy cruising!
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