What's New
The 2022 Chevrolet Trax gains a new and more powerful engine but otherwise, it retains its commitment to focus on a low price, which doesn’t change either.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax is available in two trims. The base LS trim starts at $22,595 and the LT trim is $24,395.
Engine Choices
The new engine may have the same displacement as last year’s unit, but the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder now produces 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, which is a significant bump. It routes power through a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is a $620 option.
The added power comes at a slight cost to fuel efficiency, although the Trax still manages 24 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 combined. The AWD version achieves 23, 30, and 26 mpg city, highway, and combined, respectively.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Trax’s 167.6-inch length is telling of its compact size and is a few inches shorter than the Honda HR-V. Rear seat passengers are offered 35.7 inches of legroom and 38.8 inches of headroom which are good for the class but fall behind the packaging-champion Honda. Cargo volume is on par for the class, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the second-row, and expands to 48.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 split seatbacks folded.
Safety Features
The Trax is painfully void of active safety features, even considering its low starting price. The LT trim offers the $495 Driver Confidence Package which includes blind zone detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist, although it also requires the LT Convenience Package (for a total cost of $945). The model year 2020 was the last year the Trax was offered with automatic emergency braking.
The IIHS scores the Trax mostly with Good crashworthiness ratings, and NHTSA awards the Trax with a five-star overall rating.
Connectivity
Both trims feature a 7-inch infotainment display with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, and six speakers to pump out the sound. There are two USB ports on hand for charging duties and the LT trim gains a 120-volt outlet.
The cost-focused Trax features 16-inch alloy wheels, variable-speed intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, and an exterior temperature sensor, while inside, a four-way manual-adjustable driver’s seat, a 3.5-inch driver information display, and driver’s window express-up round out the list of notable features.
The Tint and Cruise Package adds tinted windows and cruise control for $495.
The LT gains a few exterior updates such as faux silver painted skid plates, LED daytime running lights, projector-beam headlights, chrome beltline trim pieces, heated mirrors, and LED taillights. The Tint and Cruise Package is standard and the cloth seats use a nicer fabric.
The $450 LT Convenience Package includes keyless open and start, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Once that has been added, the $470 Sport Edition trim is available with 18-inch black-painted wheels or the $995 Redline Edition package is available which further adds unique badging and black grille surround trim.
Compare Trax Trims Side-By-Side
The Trax’s low cost is not without notable omissions. Its competition, even within the Chevrolet brand, offers more compelling options. The basic LS trim is the best “value” here.