From 'dad bod' to abs: GM sharpens its small, midsize SUVs

Once known for the Pontiac Aztek flop, General Motors Co.'s small and midsize SUV designers have transformed the fleet from "AI-generated blobs" into the automaker's No. 2 asset.

The rise of small SUVs comes amid GM and other American automakers' retreat from the sedan market and rising Asian dominance of that sector. GM's new entry-level vehicle lineup includes Chevrolet's Trax and Equinox, the Buick Envista and GMC's Terrain — all small-to-midsize SUVs.

Global Chevrolet executive design director Phil Zak said the strategy is to pair customers with less expensive models with exterior design elements that nod to bigger best-sellers, "and then we'll get them in a Silverado as they move up the chain, or a Tahoe, as their families get larger."

"That's why it's critical to have something li