Execs: Robust worth; sharp seems; surprisingly sensible; participating and even pleasant to drive; excessive gasoline financial system
Cons: All-wheel drive unavailable; no engine improve; onerous armrests
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a game-changer for its model, its subcompact SUV section and for inexpensive automobiles basically. It’s objectively well-executed, subjectively nice to take a look at and, crucially, one heckuva deal that makes others in its section appear overpriced. Even worth stalwart Kia is trying down on the Trax from up the value ladder. And positive, there are elementary the explanation why it prices much less, which we’ll get to, however on the entire, we expect most consumers shall be advantageous sacrificing in these areas to learn from that sharp fashion and powerful worth.
For starters, the Trax has extra passenger house than most subcompact SUVs. Full-size adults can sit comfortably entrance to again, and also you don’t must scoot the entrance passenger seat uncomfortably ahead to accommodate a rear-facing baby seat or kicking toes in a forward-facing one. Cargo house is above common, too. The cabin design is sporty and full of the requirements, which draw consideration away from the cheaper, onerous plastics — this may be a kind of sacrifices talked about earlier.
One other could be its small engine, which on paper, a minimum of, delivers sluggish acceleration even in a section consisting of leisurely sprinters. In observe, although, it doesn’t really feel that sluggish due to punchy low-end energy from the little turbo-three engine and fast reactions from the six-speed automated. It’s additional balanced by an total dynamic package deal that’s genuinely pleasant to drive. Gradual automobiles could be enjoyable, and cheap automobiles could be good, interval. The 2024 Chevy Trax satisfies each.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
We very almost wrote “The Chevy Trax is an all-new mannequin for 2024,” utterly forgetting there truly was a Trax earlier than. It’s simply this one’s a lot completely different. And extra memorable. And higher.
What are the Trax inside and in-car expertise like?
Nearly each floor within the Trax cabin is difficult plastic or a too-hard rubbery floor. That’s unhealthy information for elbows (please, extra padding!), nevertheless it’s principally disguised by a good-looking design that shares loads of visible DNA with the Camaro. It additionally helps preserve the value low. Performance is great, with a big phone-holding bin (accessible with wi-fi charging within the high three trim ranges), beneficiant cupholders break up by one other cellphone holder, a decent-sized armrest bin and a bonus bin to stash no matter. Door pockets are massive, too, and may accommodate bottles.
From a tech perspective, the Trax includes a de-contented model of GM’s Android-based infotainment system. Accessible in both 8- or 11-inch sizes, it seems good and is straightforward to make use of even when it doesn’t do way more than tune the radio, show journey pc data, alter car settings and function customary wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Actually, most individuals don’t want greater than that. The instrument panel is a display within the high three trim ranges, too, and though it lacks the form of performance and customised graphics choices of different all-digital panels, it seems good and is extra simply learn than the usual analog gauges. The 11-inch touchscreen and digital instrument panel are pictured beneath.
How huge is the Trax?
The Trax isn’t fairly as huge on the skin because the mechanically associated and equally spectacular Buick Envista, nevertheless it’s nonetheless significantly greater on the skin than different subcompact SUVs. It’s a half-foot longer than a Kia Seltos, itself no tiny factor, and almost 3 inches longer than the VW Taos. The Trax isn’t as tall, nonetheless, significantly within the cargo space, which negates a few of that total size. It does contribute to the Trax trying so low, smooth and sporty, nonetheless.
Inside, the Trax places this comparatively massive exterior footprint to good use with a giant again seat that lets full-size adults sit back and front. Headroom isn’t a problem regardless of that low, smooth roofline, both. In contrast to most subcompact SUVs, the Trax is a completely viable household car due to this ample rear legroom that gained’t drive the entrance passenger to scoot uncomfortably ahead to make approach for kids in automotive seats behind.
Now, we discovered that the cargo space isn’t as massive and helpful as its official 25.6-cubic-foot quantity would indicate. The truth is, we managed to extra simply load six suitcases into the Envista regardless of it having much less house on paper. The Seltos, Taos, Nissan Kicks, Kia Niro and Subaru Crosstrek additionally carried out higher. The Chevy Trailblazer was notably worse, although.
What are the Trax gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
Each Trax is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that sends 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque by way of a six-speed automated to the entrance wheels solely. All-wheel drive isn’t accessible.
Gasoline financial system estimates are 28 mpg metropolis, 32 mpg freeway and 30 mpg mixed. We solely managed 27.4 mpg in over 300 miles of combined driving, which can be the results of small turbo engines being extra vulnerable to a heavy foot … which we’ve.
Trax Activ (inexperienced) and Trax 2RS (crimson)
What is the Trax wish to drive?
Very similar to the mechanically associated Buick Envista, the Trax’s powertrain specs sound completely lame. Three cylinders? 137 horsepower? Six-speed automated? We didn’t even point out that the 0-60-mph dash is someplace within the 9s, making it one of many slowest automobiles within the section. The factor is, you’d by no means realize it by driving it. It is a good powertrain that’s been thoughtfully utilized to this automotive to concurrently guarantee a low value, good gasoline financial system and elevated refinement.
It begins with the engine itself. Overlook the horsepower – these 162 pound-feet of torque come on early at 2,500 rpm, guaranteeing a punchy energy supply round city and when leaping right into a quicker lane of visitors. That six-speed automated could sound antiquated, nevertheless it’s fast to reply and is extra more likely to discover itself in the best gear (in contrast to eight-, nine- or 10-speed models), doesn’t stutter to interact (in contrast to a DCT) and doesn’t depressingly drone (in contrast to a CVT). The engine itself additionally sounds fairly good, with a muffled snarl harking back to a playful canine tugging on a rope.
The little-engine-that-could can also be balanced by the remainder of the driving expertise, which is great. We genuinely loved driving the Trax, beginning with steering that’s responsive and comparatively feelsome. The suspension behaves in a much more subtle method than is predicted on this section, sustaining composure and grip on our mountain highway check route, whereas offering a snug experience all over the place else. Now, it’s actually on the “sporty” and “firmer” facet of the consolation scale, particularly with the accessible 19-inch wheels, so be sure to seek out some bumps on a check drive. Ought to it’s a contact too agency, check out a model with smaller wheels, or the softer-sprung Envista.
What different Chevrolet Trax opinions can I learn?
Chevrolet Trax Baggage Check
Take a deep dive into how a lot precise stuff can match contained in the Trax’s cargo space and the way it compares with the mechanically associated Buick Envista.
What’s the 2024 Trax value and the place is it constructed?
The Trax is in-built South Korea, which is probably going one other approach GM managed to maintain the value down. It begins at a budget-friendly $22,590, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost.
Though higher trim ranges actually get extra tools, the hole isn’t that important, which is in step with the equally modest hole in pricing between the most affordable and costliest trim ranges. As a substitute, the trim ranges largely differ in fashion. The LS and LT are extra conservative and conventional; the 1RS and 2RS are the sporty, Camaro-esque ones with differing ranges of kit; and the Activ is a unique, arguably extra fashionable tackle sporty.
All costs beneath embrace the $1,095 vacation spot cost, and once more, all-wheel drive isn’t accessible.
LS: $22,590
1 RS: $24,290
LT: $24,490
2 RS: $26,090
Activ: $26,090
What are the Trax security rankings and driver help options?
Each Trax comes customary with ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help. The Driver Confidence Bundle provides blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning system, adaptive cruise management and rear parking sensors.
The brand new Trax had not been crash-tested by a 3rd get together on the time of this writing.
