The Trax was the first subcompact SUV from Chevrolet, adding maneuverability and affordability to the carmaker's portfolio when it debuted in 2015. Since then, it's been joined by the similarly sized Trailblazer in 2021. Both offer shoppers a smaller alternative to the Equinox, a compact SUV, and the midsize Blazer, making them ideal for small families or couples.
The Trax's budget-friendly pricing and just-right sizing has opened up a new market for Chevrolet, and it has remained competitive against value-focused models from Hyundai and Kia. This is by design, as the Trax was developed in Korea and is assembled there alongside the related Buick Encore and Envista, as well as the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Chevrolet Trax Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chevrolet Trax Pros and Cons
- Chevrolet Trax Generations
- Second Generation (2024 - present)
- First Generation (2015 - 2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chevrolet Trax years are the best?
The second-generation Chevrolet Trax will likely attract more customers. It's larger than the original Trax, offering more rear passenger space and significantly more cargo capacity. It's also noticeably quicker and comes with more driver assistance features. The lack of an all-wheel drive option could strike it from some shoppers' short lists, though.
Which Chevrolet Trax years are the worst?
The first few years of Trax production (2015-2016) were relatively slow compared to later years, and safety features were rather sparse, too. That said, those models did receive decent safety scores when compared to their contemporaries.
Is the Chevrolet Trax a good deal?
All things considered, the Chevrolet Trax is about average for the subcompact SUV class. At least in the current second generation, it provides plenty of passenger and cargo space for the money, though some of its Hyundai and Kia rivals come with more standard features and offer more generous warranties.
Chevrolet Trax Pros and Cons
Pros
- Second-generation has plenty of passenger and cargo space
- Decent value for money
- Compact
Cons
- No AWD option with second-generation model
- No hybrid variants
- Strong competition
Chevrolet Trax Generations
Second Generation (2024 - present)
After a year-long hiatus, the second-generation Chevrolet Trax went on sale in the 2024 model year. This time around, it gained 11 inches in length and two inches in width, but its roof sat about 4.5 inches lower. This resulted in a 0.7-inch reduction of rear-passenger headroom, but netted considerable gains in rear legroom and cargo capacity. Rear-seat legroom increased by a full three inches, while cargo space increased by 36 percent, from 18.7 cubic-feet to 25.6 cu-ft.
The new Trax models leaned further into Chevrolet's styling language, with a Camaro-like front end and grille that looked wider and sportier than before, along with the trademark bowtie badging. The sides and the rear were trimmed down, too, so it looked significantly leaner than the first generation. The interior also received a major makeover, with a faceted dashboard that echoed Chevy's corporate design direction.
At least as far as appearances went, the new Chevrolet Trax looked to be an improvement, but somewhat bafflingly, it was no longer available with all-wheel drive (AWD). We consider this a significant misstep, especially for those living in regions prone to inclement weather.
On paper, the 2024 Trax's engine specs were also a disappointment. All models were now powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that was only good for 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque and was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. In practice, however, this engine outperformed its predecessor and was able to accelerate to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds (an improvement of a full second).
The Trax was available in five trim levels: Chevrolet Trax LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. The entry-level Chevy Trax LS included 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a four-speaker audio system, and a wifi hotspot. Advanced safety was better represented with the Chevy Safety Assist suite of features that included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and Intellibeam automatic high beams.
Stepping up to the Chevy Trax 1RS added a sporty flair with 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique grille with gloss-black exterior elements, heated mirrors, remote start, heated front seats, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. The Trax LT trim reverted back to the LS as a starting point and added 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, keyless ignition, automatic climate control, a digital instrument panel, an 11-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system.
The Trax 2RS built on the 1RS' sporty nature with 19-inch wheels, while the Trax Activ trim picks up where the LT trim left off, adding 18-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, a power driver seat, and heated front seats. Both models also gained keyless entry.
All Chevrolet Trax trim levels were eligible for the optional Driver Confidence package, which added a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. This package also included adaptive cruise control, but not for the LS or 1RS trims. All but the Chevy Trax LS trim were eligible for a wireless charging pad and a sunroof.
Fuel economy was marginally better than the first-generation Trax, with an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (28/32 mpg city/highway). Considering how much bigger and more capable this generation is, we’d say that’s a win.
In regard to crash test safety scores, the Trax took a slight step backward from the previous model. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2024 Trax four out of five stars in overall, frontal, and rollover tests, and five stars in side-impact evaluations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had more mixed results, giving the Trax its best score of "Good" for frontal crashworthiness, its second-best score of "Acceptable" for side impacts, and its lowest score of "Poor" in the moderate overlap frontal crash test.
So far, only one recall was issued for the second-generation Chevrolet Trax, involving an instrument panel that would unexpectedly go blank. That issue was addressed within the initial 2024 model year. The Trax's relative trouble-free nature likely helped it retain its value better than its predecessor, and while resale data is still somewhat limited, it now appears to depreciate at a rate that is comparable with other subcompact crossovers in the class.
First Generation (2015 - 2022)
The Chevrolet Trax debuted in the U.S. in the 2015 model year, though it was already being sold in other markets as the Chevrolet Tracker and the Holden Trax. It was designed and developed in conjunction with GM Korea, which had already been producing the related Buick Encore for a few years. As Chevy's first subcompact crossover, the Trax blurred the line between compact cars and small SUVs, giving owners the added space and elevated driving position that the automotive market was seeking, while also having the maneuverability and fuel efficiency of a sedan.
In its inaugural year, the 2015 Chevrolet Trax was offered in three trim levels: LS, LT, and LTZ. All models were powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produced 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was available as an option with all Chevy Trax trim levels. That output was merely adequate, as the Trax needed 10 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, trailing other subcompact crossovers by a full second.
The base LS trim was fairly simple, with feature highlights that included 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, remote keyless entry, and air conditioning. A unique folding front passenger seat allowed owners to haul objects as long as eight feet. On the tech side, the Trax came with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, GM's OnStar telematics, a wifi hotspot, and Siri Eyes Free voice control for iPhones. The LT trim upgraded to alloy wheels, and added roof rails, cruise control, remote ignition, heated mirrors, smarter cloth upholstery, and a satellite radio.
Stepping up to the top LTZ trim added 18-inch wheels, rear parking proximity sensors, a power driver seat, faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a Bose audio system. Some of these features were available as options on supporting trims, along with a sunroof.
For 2017, the Trax received a slight makeover inside and out, with edgier styling that was already being adopted by other Chevrolet models. New additions included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and the LTZ was renamed the Premier trim. A new optional Driver Confidence package added the parking sensors and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The Premier trim was eligible for the Driver Confidence II package that added frontal collision and lane departure warnings.
The 2018 Trax upgraded to a new infotainment system and added a few cosmetic packages called the Redline and Midnight Editions, the latter of which was discontinued after 2019. The lineup was pared down to two models with the discontinuation of the Premier trim in 2021, but the Trax gained a more powerful 155-hp engine later in the year. 2022 marked the end of the first-generation Trax as well as the folding front passenger seat.
The EPA estimated the 2015 Chevy Trax would return up to 29 mpg combined (26/34 mpg city/highway) with front-wheel drive and 27 mpg combined (24/31 mpg city/highway) with AWD. The 2017 model adjusted the front-drive model to 28 mpg combined, and in 2019, the AWD was adjusted to 26 mpg combined. With the more powerful engine that appeared in 2021, fuel economy remained nearly the same, at 27 mpg combined for front-wheel drive, and 26 mpg for AWD.
In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2015 Chevy Trax received five out of five stars in overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover evaluations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) followed suit, awarding its top score of "Good" in all categories except for the small passenger-side overlap and a new side impact test, where it received a second-best "Acceptable" rating. The debut 2015 model year was the only first-generation Trax to earn a Top Safety Pick award, the Institute's second-highest honor.
Recalls for the Trax initially included issues related to the suspension, airbags, power steering, and seatbelt/ignition chimes. The power steering and chimes issues were addressed in the 2016 and 2017 model years, respectively, while the suspension and airbag problems persisted into 2019. First-generation Trax tended to depreciate at a faster rate than some of its rivals, disappointing the original owners, but making them more accessible second-hand.
