Auto Chevrolet Trax: Pricing, Specs, and Real Fit

The auto Chevrolet Trax is a budget-focused subcompact crossover that gives you the footprint and passenger room of a larger vehicle without the typical price tag. If you need an affordable daily commuter with excellent rear legroom and modern tech, it hits the target dead-on.

Key takeaways

• Every Trax model uses a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine generating 137 horsepower.
• Front-wheel drive is the only drivetrain available; Chevrolet does not offer all-wheel drive on this vehicle.
• Cargo volume measures 25.6 cubic feet behind the back row, expanding to 54.1 cubic feet with the seats down.
• A standard 6-speed automatic transmission replaces the troublesome continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) common in this price bracket.

What are the core engine and transmission specs?

The mechanical setup on the Chevrolet Trax is straightforward because there is only one powertrain. Power comes from an ECOTEC 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine rated at 137 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 RPM.

Chevrolet routes this power through a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission. Most competitors in the entry-level crossover bracket rely on CVTs that drone loudly during hard acceleration. The 6-speed shifts predictably, which makes city stop-and-go driving feel natural. The turbocharger spools up low in the rev range, so the Trax feels punchy off the line up to about 40 miles per hour. Highway passing requires some patience, as the small engine runs out of breath at higher speeds.

How much space do you actually get?

The modern Trax is significantly longer and wider than the original generation, providing true utility for adults in both rows. Passenger volume sits at 99.8 cubic feet, which translates to 38.7 inches of rear legroom. That is enough room for tall passengers to sit comfortably behind a tall driver.

Cargo capacity is equally practical:

• Rear seats upright: 25.6 cubic feet
• Rear seats folded: 54.1 cubic feet
• Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
• Overall vehicle length: 178.6 inches

The cargo floor sits low, making loading heavy groceries or bulky gear straightforward. The 60/40-split folding rear seat also folds reasonably flat, giving you enough usable depth to haul flat-pack furniture.

What are the Chevrolet Trax trim differences?

Chevrolet sells the Trax in five distinct trim packages: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV. They all share the same mechanical engine and chassis, so you are picking based on aesthetics, wheel sizes, and interior displays.

The sweet spot for daily driving is the LT trim. Upgrading to the LT swaps out the basic 8-inch screen for the high-resolution 11-inch infotainment screen angled toward the driver, along with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto come standard across the entire lineup, regardless of which screen size you select.

What is the honest catch?

The honest catch is the complete lack of all-wheel drive and poor high-speed refinement. If you live on a steep, snow-covered hill or face severe winter storms, you cannot option an AWD system on the Trax. You are locked into front-wheel drive, meaning a set of dedicated winter tires is mandatory for cold climates.

Additionally, sound deadening is minimal. While the active noise cancellation system helps mute engine drone at lower speeds, road noise and wind roar intrude heavily into the cabin on coarse highway asphalt at 70 miles per hour. You are buying an entry-level vehicle, and the thin cabin insulation is where Chevrolet cut costs to keep the price down.

Who is this car for, and who should skip it?

Buy the Chevrolet Trax if you are a city commuter, college student, or small family looking for maximum passenger space on a strict budget. It offers the high seating position and cargo flexibility of an SUV while maintaining the maintenance costs and fuel usage of a compact sedan.

Skip the Trax if you frequently tow, take long highway road trips with a fully loaded vehicle, or demand all-wheel drive for bad weather. Drivers who want brisk passing power above 65 miles per hour will find the 137-horsepower output frustrating over long mountain grades. If those limits break the deal for you, look toward larger compact crossovers instead.

Photo by Ethan Currier on Unsplash