2020 Chevrolet Trax Review: Puts The 'Budget' Into Budget Crossover
The Chevy Trax is one of a plethora of subcompact crossovers in an oversaturated market, unfortunately doing little to truly stand out for anything other than a fairly affordable price tag. With strong rivals in the form of the Honda HR-V and the Trax's corporate sibling, the Buick Encore, a budget price tag might not be enough, though. While touchscreen navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot seem like impressive value at this end of the spectrum, middling gas mileage from a relatively dismal 1.4-liter turbo engine and interior materials that look and feel cheap let the Chevrolet subcompact down in a big way. Considering this same segment is occupied by US favorites like the Kia Soul and Hyundai Kona, the Trax might well be relegated to the status of rental-car king, and not for the right reasons.
What’s the Price of 2020 Chevy Trax?
The subcompact crossover has an appealing base price of just $21,300 for the entry-level LS trim. The mid-tier LT carries an MSRP of $23,200, but it is highly customizable and could end up costing you as much as the top-tier model. Getting behind the wheel of the Premier model will set you back $27,600. All-wheel-drive is available to every model, which if opted in, adds a surcharge of $1,500 to the base price of each Chevrolet Trax. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Chevrolet's $995 destination fee.
2020 Trax Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 167.2 in | 100.6 in | 64.9 in | 69.9 in | 60.6 in | 60.6 in | 3,124.0 lbs |
2020 Trax Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Chevrolet Trax is a great driver around town. Its small size combines with precise steering to help it maneuver around congested streets and packed parking lots with ease. But, while it is light and responsive, the steering is far from communicative.
It handles quite well for a taller car, not leaning too much into corners, but you shouldn't be taking them at any real degree of speed anyway. However, the short wheelbase and relative height do negatively impact stability at top speeds on the highway. The ride quality is also pretty poor, with even smaller bumps traveling through the cabin. It's strange, as the cabin insulation is impressive, and the Buick Encore tends to be far better mannered on similar surfaces.
2020 Trax Interior
2020 Trax Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Warranty Note | Basic | Drivetrain | Drivetrain Note | Rust-Through | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Roadside Assistance Note | Maintenance Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary 2020 Warranty Note | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles | 6 Years / 100,000 Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles | 1 Year/1 Visit |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the Chevrolet Trax A Good SUV?
With sedans and hatchbacks losing popularity as SUVs dominate the market, staying relevant in these increasingly competitive segments takes quite a lot of innovation. Sadly, the Chevrolet Trax hasn't put in the work over the last five years of its life.
It does supply a fair amount of cargo and passenger space for a pretty low starting price. However, leading rivals are just as affordable, and pack leaders like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul are more spacious in both regards. They also offer more standard features, as the Trax comes with no standard advanced safety features and minimal comforts. To get anything better, you have to opt for the top trim or throw on so many packages that price climbs well above what the competition is asking.
Like any typical urban-centric car, the Trax is great around town thanks to its tiny footprint, however, it doesn't handle as well as more refined subcompacts. It also doesn't offer particularly impressive fuel economy when compared to rivals and the engine performs woefully. Overall, the Chevrolet Trax is reasonable value for money, but there are far better deals out there for similar, or even less, money. Our picks are the all-new Kia Soul for more practicality and the Hyundai Kona if you enjoy driving.
What Chevrolet Trax Model Should I Buy?
Affordability is the name of the game when it comes to the Chevrolet Trax, otherwise, you may as well be looking at one of its better, higher-priced rivals. As such, aiming above the LT trim would defeat the point of the purchase. It gets more comfortable deluxe cloth upholstery and some nifty cargo accessories to help the crossover compete with more functional rivals. Sadly, if you want the advanced safety features and power-adjustable driver's seat, you will need to tack on a few packages. This can quickly increase the cost of the subcompact, but you can still get a decent version before you start closing in on the price of the Premier.
2020 Chevrolet Trax Comparisons
2020 Chevrolet Trax vs Buick Encore
The Buick Encore shares a platform with the Chevy Trax, so its dimensions are basically identical. Thus, cargo and passenger capacity are on par, and it even gets the same turbo four-cylinder engine. Given these similarities, you'd expect the Buick to cost the same as the Trax, but it will actually set you back an extra $4k. This is because the Buick carries a more upscale image, with a higher-quality interior and more refined standard features, such as a larger infotainment screen with standard SiriusXM, as well as a power-adjustable driver's seat and cruise control. However, it doesn't get any better standard safety features over the Chevy, so it won't appeal to buyers who prioritize safety. Much like the Trax, the Encore can add these features at additional cost. But, with its higher starting price, this will quickly raise the cost well above what those on a budget can afford. Overall, the Buick Encore is the better pick here, but your budget will determine your options.
2020 Chevrolet Trax vs Chevrolet Equinox
One step above the Trax in terms of size, the Equinox is a small upgrade in every way. It also gets a turbocharged inline-four-cylinder-engine, but it develops 170 hp and 203 lb-ft, making the compact crossover quite a bit more energetic. It is officially rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs and has a much higher basic cargo capacity of 29.9 cubic feet, which can be increased to 63.9 when the rear seats are folded down. However, the Equinox does cost almost $3k more in its base form, but you get some more features for this investment. It comes standard with forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, cruise control, and LED daytime running lights. The Chevy Equinox is better than the Trax in every way, but it won't be as appealing for those on a tight budget.