2019 Chevrolet Trax

The brakes and chassis on the Chevrolet Trax are among its strong points – the rotors are larger than those of most of its competitors and allow you to make the most of your momentum when you finally get up to speed, inspiring confidence and allowing you to brake later. Due in part to its independent front suspension, the Trax starts to come alive in the corners. Its steering is quick, albeit a little dead in terms of feel, and the ride is stable, but some bumps may feel a little choppy; despite its height, the Trax never feels like it is top-heavy. Although some others in its class can be more fun to drive, the agile Chev competently holds its own here.

While it's not the most uncomfortable drive, the road noise coupled with the rough harmonics from under the hood make it a less than enjoyable road-trip companion over longer distances. That being said, combined with its stopping power and its relative agility in the bends, the Trax is not entirely unenjoyable. However, if you're shopping in this segment, handling dynamics are likely to play less of a role as a deciding factor than things like daily usability and ergonomics.

So, is the 2019 Chevrolet Trax worth a test drive? Is it worth spending around 25 grand on? Well, yes and no. In isolation, the Trax represents very good value as a competent all-rounder. However, when considering its asthmatic engine, relatively poor fuel economy, and slightly hefty price for certain options that are crucial safety features, its positive characteristics - such as a user-friendly infotainment system and decent handling - are outweighed heavily.

If you want space and outstanding all-weather capability, the Subaru Crosstrek is better equipped. If you prefer a more engaging drive, the Kia Niro is more fun. If you want a more competent freeway cruiser with good gas mileage, the CX-3 from Mazda is likely more up your alley. Essentially, while the Trax is decent in a few ways, it's not brilliant in any, and unless a user-friendly infotainment system is your only criterion, there are certainly better options out there.

Looking at the evolution of styling, the Chevrolet Trax certainly has come a long way in terms of looking more like the "hip" city vehicle it aims to be. Although the Ford EcoSport has been around for a while now, its styling is still relatively fresh and holds its own. In terms of interior space, the margins are very narrow here, with the EcoSport winning on legroom but losing on headroom. The EcoSport also comes out on top when comparing cargo space, with 20.9 cubic feet available before folding down any seats, in comparison to the 18.7 available on the Trax. The EcoSport and Trax are both quite on par in terms of convenience features and infotainment, with both offering excellent standard elements like satellite radio, heated seats, and a leather steering wheel, although the Trax offers this up only in the Premier edition. Despite a much smaller 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder, the EcoSport manages to outdo the Trax with vastly better mpg scores, although it does suffer from about 15 horsepower less at entry point to the range. The EcoSport has the benefit of offering a 2.0-liter powertrain on its SES trim, for those who want a little more oomph. Where the EcoSport truly shines is when tallying up how much it affects your wallet. Starting at $19,995, it's $1,305 cheaper than the base Trax, yet offers just that much more. Overall, the EcoSport is the more economical option, the better-equipped vehicle, and has more potential to avoid causing buyer's remorse.

Although a considerably smaller vehicle, the Trax is generally bought by people who want similar things to buyers of the Ford Escape. Naturally, due to its greater size and heft, the Ford Escape is much more cavernous, allowing bigger loads to be carried about; but, it is also less economical on gas due to its size and 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine options. With a starting price of $24,105, the Ford Escape is also less thrifty a purchase than the Trax, but that extra money spent on a bulkier car gets you approximately three inches more legroom in the front and nearly two inches in the back. Space is also much greater when it comes to the cargo area, as the Trax only has 18.7 cubic feet of volume in the back, while the Escape is almost double that at 34 cubic feet. With the seats folded, those numbers increase to 48.4 cubic feet in the Trax and 68 in the Escape.

With at least 400 pounds of body weights more than the Trax to get moving, despite having more powerful engine options, the Ford Escape offers almost identical performance to that of the Trax. The infotainment system here is also less impressive, with the screen measuring under five-inches in base form while it also has one less USB port than the Chevy. If you need much more space, the Escape is worth considering, but with better gas mileage, tech options, and a much lower price, the Trax is certainly a smarter financial buy.