AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS9/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL9/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE8/10
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is completely redesigned, with more space – and style – than before.
The Trax comes in five trim levels, starting with the LS at $23,699, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,000. It moves up though the 1RS at $25,199 and the LT at $28,099. The two top trims are the sportier-styled 2RS, or my tester, the Activ, both at $30,199. My tester was further optioned to $32,454 before taxes.
Styling: 8/10
The Trax is a perky-looking little machine, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the larger Chevrolet Blazer. Both the 2RS and Activ trims get black wheels, but they measure 19 inches on the 2RS to the Activ’s 18-inch rims. All trims include LED headlights. My tester’s optional features included a sunroof and its coat of Nitro Yellow paint.
The handsome interior has a modular look to it, with its 11-inch centre touchscreen fitted against the eight-inch digital instrument cluster, both set in a dash that mimics their lines. The yellow accents on the dash and vents are unique to Activ; in the 2RS, they’re red.
Safety: 8/10
The redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Trax had not been crash-tested by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing. But all trims come standard with emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, a follow-distance indicator, lane-keep assist, a high-definition back-up camera, rear-seat reminder, teen driver control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on the two lowest trims, and standard on all others.
Features: 8/10
The Activ’s standard features – some of which are on the lower levels also – include adaptive cruise control, a cargo privacy cover, heated seats and steering wheel, single-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, heated mirrors, and roof rails. My tester’s wireless charger was bundled with its sunroof as an option package.
While its other features are the same, the identically priced 2RS differs with its 19-inch wheels and its manual driver’s seat. I’d take the Activ to get its exclusive power seat, while smaller wheels tend to ride better and cost less for winter or replacement tires.
User-Friendliness: 9/10
The Trax’s climate dials feel cheap, but everything is easy to use, with those dials handling the temperature and fan speed, with buttons for the air vent selection and heated seats. The centre touchscreen is equally easy with its intuitive icons and menus, as well as a dial for stereo volume. The doors open wide, too, making it easy to get in and out.
Practicality: 9/10
The new Trax is longer, lower, and wider than the one it replaces. Front-seat headroom is the same as before; in the rear there’s a loss of 19 mm (0.7 in). But the new Trax’s cargo space increases substantially from 530 L to 725 L. Fold the rear seats and you get 1,532 L, an increase from the previous 1,371 L; and the liftover is low, making it easy to load items inside.
The cargo volume increase puts it within a litre or so of competitors like the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, or Toyota Corolla Cross, all of which do a good job of tackling cargo despite their small size; and it’s much larger than the Hyundai Venue or Mazda CX-30.
Comfort: 8/10
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is on par with most competitors for headroom, and while front-row legroom is as well, the Trax’s rear-seat leg space is considerably more than that of the Corolla Cross. And while the seats felt a little firm and less comfortable during a brief first-drive review, I came away from this week-long test feeling much happier with them. All trims come standard with active noise cancellation, and the cabin is surprisingly quiet for this segment.
Power: 8/10
All Trax trims use a turbocharged 1.2L three-cylinder engine, making 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s a better choice than an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), since these units can drone and feel rubbery when attached to a very small engine.
The little engine is surprisingly peppy in the city, taking off well from stoplights. It’s less so when called upon for highway passing, where it works hard; don’t think you’ll be able to pull out when vehicles are coming up fast alongside and actually get away with it. As with most in this subcompact segment, you have to respect its limitations.
Driving Feel: 9/10
That’s a high score for a subcompact runabout, but the Trax is a fun little driver. The steering is quick and direct, and nicely weighted but still light enough for easy parking-lot manoeuvres. It’s not a sports car, but tossed into a curve, it’s balanced and grippy enough to come out fine on the other side.
The Trax comes only in front-wheel drive (FWD). The slightly smaller Trailblazer – as well as the bigger Blazer – offers all-wheel drive (AWD).
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 8.3 L/100 km in the city, 7.4 on the highway, and 7.9 in combined driving. In my week with it, I averaged 8.2 L/100 km. It runs on regular-grade gasoline.
Its combined-driving number is slightly higher than most of its FWD rivals, but by decimals, where the Nissan Kicks sips the least at 7.2, and the Kia Soul is closest to the Trax at 7.8 L/100 km.
Value: 8/10
The Trax starts at $23,699 and runs to $30,199. Among rivals with FWD, the Hyundai Venue starts below it at $22,574 and the Nissan Kicks just above at $23,728. But the Kia Soul begins around $24,795 and the Kia Seltos around $27,195; the Hyundai Kona at $27,934; and the Toyota Corolla Cross at $28,220, all including delivery.
The Verdict
After spending a week with the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, my impression remains: this is a very impressive vehicle in its segment. It’s fun to drive, it’s roomy, it handles cargo very well, it’s good-looking, and it’s intelligently priced. It may be Chevrolet’s entry-level vehicle across its lineup, but it doesn’t look, feel, or drive like it’s the base model.
| Engine Displacement | 1.2L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I3 |
| Peak Horsepower | 137 hp @5,000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 8.3 / 7.4 / 7.9 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 725/1,532 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ |
| Base Price | $28,199 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,000 |
| Price as Tested | $32,554 |
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Optional Equipment
$2,255 – Sunroof package with wireless charger, $1,095; Nitro Yellow Metallic paint, $495; Sport pedal kit, $265; Collapsible cargo organizer, $205; Engine block heater, $195
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