Professionals: Robust worth; sharp appears to be like; surprisingly sensible; partaking and even fulfilling to drive; excessive gasoline financial system
Cons: All-wheel drive unavailable; no engine improve; exhausting armrests
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax enters its second yr after its main 2024 overhaul and continues to be simply as spectacular as earlier than. Its base value of simply $21,495 is what makes this not-so-little crossover such a wise transfer from GM. If you mix that value with a more-than-palatable driving expertise, all of the tech you really want and a stunning quantity of utility, it’s no shock that the Trax is a winner. Course, some corners have to be minimize to cost the Trax the place it stands, which we’ll get into, however on the floor, this crossover is one to your subcompact SUV shortlist.
Whereas the little three-cylinder engine sounds anemic on paper, in follow, it’s a lot torquey. This lets you simply sustain with site visitors with out pegging the needle deep into the revs, and because it’s a six-speed computerized, there’s no miserable drone of a CVT-equipped automotive. Its trip is just enough – the Envista (its Buick twin) is extra plush – however the Trax can be fairly succesful while you throw some corners at it.
The place most will discover it to their liking is within the fashionable cabin that comes with wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto normal. You’ll have room for mates and their baggage within the again, and the Trax will return respectable gasoline financial system in day-to-day driving, too. Compromises like brutally exhausting armrests and low cost inside supplies all through are to be anticipated, however at this value level, we’re hardly offended. As a complete bundle, the Trax is hard to beat for brand spanking new automotive consumers on a strict finances who don’t wish to compromise on the massive issues.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
The Trax’s 1.2-liter turbocharged engine is now able to operating on Flex Gasoline for 2025. It additionally provides two new colours to its exterior palette, together with Marina Blue Metallic and Cypress Grey. Past that, the Trax carries over unchanged from its first mannequin yr of the brand new technology for 2024.
What are the Trax inside and in-car know-how 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 largely disguised by a good-looking design that shares loads of visible DNA with the Camaro. It additionally helps preserve the value low. Performance is superb, with a big phone-holding bin (out there 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 giant, too, and may accommodate bottles.
From a tech perspective, the Trax encompasses a de-contented model of GM’s Android-based infotainment system. Accessible in both 8- or 11-inch sizes, it appears to be like good and is straightforward to make use of even when it doesn’t do way more than tune the radio, show journey pc information, alter car settings and function normal 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 appears to be like good and is extra simply learn than the usual analog gauges. The 11-inch touchscreen and digital instrument panel are pictured beneath. And for much more in-depth impressions, try our Inside Assessment right here.
How massive is the Trax?
The Trax isn’t fairly as massive 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 practically 3 inches longer than the VW Taos. The Trax isn’t as tall, nevertheless, significantly within the cargo space, which negates a few of that total size. It does contribute to the Trax wanting so low, glossy and sporty, nevertheless.
Inside, the Trax places this comparatively giant 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, glossy roofline. In contrast to most subcompact SUVs, the Trax is a very viable household car because of this ample rear legroom that gained’t pressure 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 giant and helpful as its official 25.6-cubic-foot quantity would suggest. Actually, we managed to extra simply load six suitcases into the Envista regardless of it having much less area 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 computerized to the entrance wheels solely. All-wheel drive is just not out there. For 2025, the Trax provides Flex Gasoline functionality, so you’ll pump E85 in on the gasoline station.
Gasoline financial system estimates are 28 mpg metropolis, 32 mpg freeway and 30 mpg mixed. Should you select to run cheaper E85, do notice that gasoline financial system will fall to 21/24/22 mpg. We solely managed 27.4 mpg in over 300 miles of blended driving on 87 octane, which can be the results of small turbo engines being extra vulnerable to a heavy foot … which we now have.
Trax Activ (inexperienced) and Trax 2RS (pink)
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 computerized? We didn’t even point out that the 0-60-mph dash is someplace within the 9s, making it one of many slowest vehicles within the phase. The factor is, you’d by no means understand it by driving it. This can be 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, making certain a punchy energy supply round city and when leaping right into a quicker lane of site visitors. That six-speed computerized could sound antiquated, nevertheless it’s fast to reply and is extra prone to discover itself in the proper gear (not like eight-, nine- or 10-speed models), doesn’t stutter to have interaction (like a DCT may) and doesn’t depressingly drone (very very similar to a CVT). The engine itself additionally sounds completely enough, with a muffled snarl paying homage to a playful canine tugging on a rope.
The little-engine-that-could can be balanced by the remainder of the driving expertise, which is superb. 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 anticipated on this phase, sustaining composure and grip on our mountain highway check route, whereas offering a snug trip all over the place else. Now, it’s definitely on the “sporty” and “firmer” facet of the consolation scale, particularly with the out there 19-inch wheels, so ensure to seek out some bumps on a check drive. Ought to or not 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?
2024 Chevrolet Trax Inside Assessment: An equipment, however one you may like
We take a deep dive into the Chevy Trax’s inside to inform you what this finances belle is like.
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 2025 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 $21,495, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost.
Though higher trim ranges definitely get extra gear, the hole isn’t that important, which is in line with the equally modest hole in pricing between the most affordable and costliest trim ranges. As an alternative, the trim ranges largely differ in model. 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 trendy tackle sporty that is meant to return off as rugged.
All costs beneath embrace the $1,095 vacation spot cost, and once more, all-wheel drive is just not out there.
LS: $21,495
1RS: $23,395
LT: $23,595
2RS: $25,395
Activ: $25,395
What are the Trax security scores and driver help options?
Each Trax comes normal with ahead collision warning with computerized 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.
