2024 Chevrolet Trax Performance

Performance has never been the focus of the Chevrolet Trax, and that hasn't changed for the newest generation. If anything, the small SUV has only gotten lazier, as it now has fewer cylinders and even less displacement, with just 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.

We actually found the engine to be adequate around town, however, with its struggles being much more apparent at higher speeds. And, although it has less power, Chevrolet says that the Trax's 0-60 mph time has improved, although the manufacturer hasn't provided a figure for this sprint. We expect a time of around nine seconds or perhaps just below this if Chevy's claims hold true. Either way, there are several quicker competitors in this class.

Chevy clearly doesn't expect owners to take this little car off-road, as it no longer offers all-wheel drive as an option, even though there is more ground clearance than the last generation. The automaker also doesn't provide a tow rating for the Trax, and considering how little power it has, we can see why.

Every model in the Chevrolet Trax range is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes just 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. This is down 18 hp and 15 lb-ft from the previous generation. While this may mean less power for the subcompact, it does have a noticeable impact on mileage figures. Still, even with less steam under the hood, the Trax feels adequate around town, where you won't get the chance to accelerate too much between stoplights.

Chevrolet hasn't swapped out the transmission, at least, preferring to stick with the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic we have all gotten used to. We would have preferred an extra gear or two at higher speeds, where the engine in the Chevrolet Trax can feel more strained.

There is definitely a focus on improved fuel economy with the latest-gen Trax, which is to be expected from a smaller engine. In this case, we see gas mileage figures for the Trax hop up to 28/32/30 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles - a moderate improvement over the outgoing Trax. In a mix of city and highway driving, the new model is 10% more efficient than before. That said, something like a Kia Soul can achieve up to 31 mpg combined, and the base Mazda CX-30 with a far larger 2.5-liter engine is only 1 mpg combined behind the Chevy.

Unfortunately, Chevy has not revealed the fuel capacity of the new tank, so we cannot say just how far you'll get between refills at the moment. The last model had 14 gallons, so if the new Trax is similarly equipped, you could expect as much as 420 miles with mixed driving.