2019 Chevrolet Trax

Overview

Shoppers wading through the plentiful offerings in the subcompact-crossover arena are inundated with options, many of them intriguingly styled and brightly colored. The Chevrolet Trax isn't one of those. Its restrained styling caters more toward modest buyers who prefer fewer eyes on them in traffic. It's comfortable and handles competently, but its weak turbocharged engine does nothing to stir the soul. Speaking of soul, driving enthusiasts will want to direct their attention to the excellent Kia Soul or the zippy Mazda CX-3. A long list of standard equipment, which includes touchscreen infotainment and onboard Wi-Fi, is the Trax's saving grace and represents much of its appeal.

What's New for 2019?

Only three new colors—Pacific Blue Metallic, Dark Copper Metallic, and Satin Steel Metallic—separate the 2019 Trax from last year's models. Otherwise, everything else stays the same.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Our chosen Trax is the front-wheel-drive LT model; we'd also select the LT Convenience package—a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, keyless entry, and push-button start—and the Driver Confidence package—rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert; those who want all-wheel drive will pay $1500 more.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Decent pep for city driving, competent handling, strong braking performance.
Dislikes: Tediously slow for passing and merging, turbo four sounds rough.

Only one engine is offered in the Trax, and it's not a great one. The turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder makes 138 horsepower, a low number for this segment, and it's buzzy and unrefined. Around town, the engine's turbocharger provides a decent amount of low-end punch. However, as soon as you need to pass or merge on the highway, the engine runs out of steam, providing more noise than actual acceleration when you step on it. The six-speed automatic is smooth enough, but often executes sluggish shifts and is sometimes reluctant to downshift. A front-wheel-drive Trax Premier required a languid 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph in our acceleration testing.

A firm ride and steady handling give the Trax a feeling of solidity, and quick steering makes it agile in parking lots and urban areas. There's less leaning in corners than you'd expect given the Trax's tall stature, although the handling isn't as responsive and eager as competitors such as the CX-3 and the Soul. The Trax's brakes are among the strongest in its class, and the pedal feels firm and confidence-inspiring.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

There's not much variation among the Trax's competitive set in terms of fuel economy, both by the EPA's standards and in our real-world testing. The Trax's drivetrain provides a subpar combination of fuel efficiency and acceleration that is worse than its rivals. The front-wheel-drive Trax underperformed in our highway fuel-economy test, falling short of its EPA number with a 29-mpg result. The Soul not only achieved better fuel economy but also provided a whopping 63-hp advantage over the Trax and accelerated to 60 mph nearly three seconds quicker.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Tall seating position, good outward visibility, decent cargo space.
Dislikes: Cheap materials, uninspired design, complicated rear-seat folding mechanism.

A high seating position and expansive headroom make the Trax's cabin feel airy and spacious, but it actually has less rear-seat room and cargo space than several of its competitors. The Trax comes standard with a well-integrated, easy-to-use touchscreen mounted at the top of the dashboard. There are also some stitched dashboard inserts that help cultivate a more upscale look. Venture further down the center stack, though, and you'll find cheap-feeling climate controls and cut-rate plastics around the shifter and center console. Only the top Premier model offers nicer amenities such as heated front seats and a sunroof, while automatic climate control isn't available at all. Rivals including the Honda HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, and CX-3 offer all of the above features for less money.

The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment that's standard on all Trax models looks basic, but it functions well. It responds quickly to inputs and includes the latest smartphone-integration capabilities. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions are standard on all Trax models, which is good because navigation isn't an option. In-car Wi-Fi is standard, although it does require a monthly subscription fee after the free trial period expires.

The Trax's cargo area is on the small side of its segment, and its rear seats aren't as easy to fold as they are in several competitors. Still, we managed to fit 18 carry-on suitcases with the rear seats stowed. The cavernous HR-V, which held four more carry-ons with the seats folded, is the pick of the subcompact-crossover litter for those who frequently carry large items.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although it earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and held up decently well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests, the absence of some important driver-assistance features means that the Trax lags behind newer rivals. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning
• Available blind-spot monitoring
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Trax's warranty coverage is entirely average, but Chevrolet offers the first scheduled maintenance visit as complimentary—a nice perk that you won't commonly find among its competitors.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit