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The crossover market has been flooded by a wave of subcompact SUVs, some of which pack an outsize personality into a small package. Not the Chevrolet Trax. Chevy’s littlest utility vehicle has bland styling and a lackluster engine, making it a middle-of-the-road choice among more interesting competitors. The Trax is worth considering given its solid handling and generous standard equipment list, but less expensive alternatives like the Kia Soul and Mazda CX-3 are better to drive and nicer to live with.
What’s New for 2017?
The Trax received a visual freshening for 2017 that brings a more handsome exterior and a modernized interior. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, and several new active safety features join the option list. The top trim level is also renamed Premier, replacing LTZ.
Trims and Options We’d Choose
The Trax offers one powertrain, so you need only select among three trim levels: LS, LT, and Premier. All-wheel drive is optional on every trim for $1500 extra. The base LS model’s sub-$22,000 starting price is enticing, but the mid-level LT offers several amenities for around $2000 more. To the front-wheel-drive LT’s bottom line, we’d add two reasonably priced packages: the $450 Convenience package and the $495 Driver Confidence package that adds a few active-safety features. Our nicely equipped Trax comes in at $24,740 and includes features such as:
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert