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The Chevrolet Trax may be the automaker’s smallest SUV in the lineup, but the incredibly compact vehicle has a lot going for it, especially for consumers living in densely packed urban environments. While other automakers have gone down the path of making their subcompact crossovers look good above all else, the Trax’s recipe is a little more straightforward, offering drivers an easy-to-maneuver body style, all-weather capability (as an option), good fuel economy, and the practicality of a SUV.
What's New for 2018
After benefiting from a mid-cycle refresh for 2017, the 2018 Chevy Trax carries on without any significant changes. Three new colors replace a trio of outgoing shades and a few safety and convenience features have been added.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Trax
Based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Sonic, the Trax is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, while front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive, though, is available throughout the entire lineup. Fuel economy figures are better for front-wheel drive models, as the Trax is capable of getting up to 25 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive brings those figures down to 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
The crossover body style aids the Trax in being able to hold more cargo than its subcompact shape may allude to. Cargo volume with the rear seats folded down measures in at 48.4 cubic feet. With the rear seats in place, the Trax offers owners 18.7 cubic feet. The Trax’s front passenger seat also folds flat, allowing the crossover to hold items that are eight feet long without having to keep the trunk open.
There are three trim levels for the Trax: LS, LT, and Premier.
LS
The LS trim starts at $21,995 (prices include the $995 destination charge), and is well equipped for a vehicle of its size and price. The LS comes with: 16-inch steel wheels, body-color door handles, OnStar with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot, power windows, cloth bucket seats, a rear 60/40 split-bench seat, power door locks, a remote keyless entry system, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet MyLink. As far as safety, the Trax comes with 10 airbags, daytime running lights, a rear vision camera, rear child security door locks, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Adding all-wheel drive to the LS trim costs an additional $1,500 and brings 16-inch aluminum wheels to the crossover. Available packages for the LS trim include the Cargo Package ($115) that adds all-weather cargo mats and a cargo net, the Protection Package ($275) that includes premium all-weather floor mats and front and rear splash guards, and the Interior Protection Package ($175) that brings premium all-weather floor mats and an all-weather cargo mat.
LT
Stepping up to the LT trim brings the price of the Trax up to $23,895 and brings some creature comforts to the vehicle. On the outside, the LT trim adds deep tinted glass, halogen projector-type headlights, LED taillights, heated and power-adjustable exterior mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, roof-mounted side rails, and a transfer case shield. The LT interior comes with SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a storage compartment under the front passenger seat, cruise control, a 110-volt power outlet, and a remote start system. Just like on the LS trim, adding all-wheel drive is an additional $1,500.
The LT trim adds a few more available packages, including the LT Convenience Package ($450) that adds two spare keys, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless open, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, deluxe cloth seats with leatherette seat trim, and keyless start. The Sun and Sound Package ($1,400) brings a power sunroof and a Bose seven-speaker audio system to the vehicle. The Driver Confidence Package ($495) includes a trio of safety features, including rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Lastly, the Redline Edition ($1,350) adds a variety of sporty touches, which include 18-inch aluminum wheels, 18-inch all-season tires, black mirror caps, a black grille, black bow ties, black beltline moldings, and black and red Trax badges.
Premier
The range-topping Premier trim starts at $28,290. The Premier trim adds fog lights, 18-inch tires, and chrome accents to the exterior of the vehicle. On the inside, the trim brings a power sunroof, a Bose seven-speaker audio system, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, leatherette seat trim, and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. The vehicle’s list of safety features expands to include rear park assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.
The only available packages on the Premier trim are the Cargo Package ($115), Protection Package ($275), Interior Protection Package ($175), and the exclusive Midnight Edition ($500) package, which includes a Mosaic Black Metallic exterior paint job, Jet Black leatherette interior trim, 18-inch aluminum wheels, body-color door handles, front and rear carpeted floor mats, black beltline moldings, and a body-color tailgate handle.
While the Trax comes with a good mix of features at a low starting price, the LT trim is the one we’d go with. Consumers looking for extra safety features can opt for the Driver Confidence Package, which adds some of the latest safety features at a reasonable price. With all-wheel drive priced at $1,500, the optional system is a worthy upgrade for those wanting a little more confidence in inclement weather conditions.
