2020 Chevrolet Trax

Overview

There's no shortage of small SUVs in the subcompact class and, among them, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax is one of the least compelling. Yes, it's comfortable and spacious, especially in regard to headroom. It stops, goes, and turns. And it comes standard with a healthy load of features, including touchscreen navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. But its weak turbocharged engine delivers painfully slow acceleration and its chintzy cabin materials and uninspired design, both inside and out, make for rental-car ambience. Shoppers searching for a better box will want to consider the Kia Soul, while those looking for some driving enjoyment in a pleasantly rounded package should direct their gaze to the Hyundai Kona.

What's New for 2020?

Aside from the deletion of few color choices—Storm Blue Metallic, Sandy Ridge Metallic, and Dark Copper Metallic—the Trax soldiers on into the 2020 model year unchanged.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

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, Comfort, and Cargo

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 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.

Infotainment and Connectivity

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.

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