Chevrolet has ten SUVs that are either on sale or due to arrive in America soon, but for many people in this country, only the existing Trailblazer and all-new Trax are realistic purchases owing to their low prices. At an MSRP of $21,495, the Trax is the cheapest Chevy crossover on sale, but it arrives with vastly more appealing styling than its underwhelming predecessor. With 137 horsepower from its 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, it's not going to get you anywhere in a hurry, but that's not the point of this high-value option. Now built on a new platform rather than derived from the former GM subsidiary, Opel, the Trax has taken a leap into the modern age. Let's look at the many improvements in the all-new Trax.

When Is The Chevrolet Trax Coming Out?

The release date for the second-generation Chevrolet Trax has been scheduled for spring of 2023 in the USA, when it will be coming out as a 2024 model.

2024 Chevrolet Trax Price And Competition

Once again, the price of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax is one of its primary selling points. Whereas the current, 2022 model starts at a cost of $21,700, the 2024 variant actually cheaper at an MSRP of $21,495 for the LS. From there, you'll pay $23,195 for the 1RS, $23,395 for the LT, and the same $24,995 for either the 2RS or Activ.

Chevy's own Trailblazer, which can be had with all-wheel drive, overlaps with the 2024 Trax in terms of pricing, but Chevy has explained why this is the case. The 2023 Trailblazer starts at $22,100.

One of our other favorite small crossover rivals is the Kia Soul, which is even cheaper at just $19,790. At a base level, it doesn't have a turbo engine, so is much less torquey but has more power. For a little more, the all-new Honda HR-V starts at $23,650.

New Chevrolet Trax Exterior And Colors

There wasn't much about the exterior design of the previous Chevrolet Trax that was exciting, but the new one is actually a crossover you'd consider buying because it looks good. The styling is very much in line with the latest Blazer, and that's no bad thing.

The sportier looks are partly a result of a change in dimensions: the new Trax is lower by four inches but also quite a bit longer. It wears smart Blazer-inspired split headlamps with new LED lighting elements, and these are complemented by LED daytime running lamps. The Chevy bowtie sits in the middle of a sporty grille.

The base LS comes with 17-inch steel wheels, but every other trim has alloys ranging in size from 17 to 19 inches. Strong shoulders, a rear roof spoiler, and stylish taillights complete the picture. The styling varies by trim, too, with RS derivatives coming with their own grille, while the Activ has a monochromatic look with titanium chrome accents and a rear skid plate motif.

The Chevrolet Trax will have a range of exterior colors. The Trax Activ has been shown off in Cacti Green, while the RS debuts in Crimson metallic as its hero color. Other hues include Sterling Gray Metallic, Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Cayenne Orange Metallic, Nitro Yellow Metallic, and Harvest Bronze Metallic.

Chevrolet Trax Dimensions

Comparing the dimensions of the Chevrolet Trax with its predecessor, it has evidently undergone a growth spurt of note. Although it is around four inches lower based on the tallest older trim, the new one is a substantial 11 inches longer. The Trax is now 178.6 inches in length, 61.4 inches tall, and has a width of 71.7 inches excluding its mirrors. At 106.3 inches, the wheelbase is almost six inches longer than before.

Chevy hasn't shared curb weight specs for the new model, but it's bound to be heavier with its larger body. For reference, the older Trax started at 3,127 pounds in base form. The Trailblazer, which charges a lot with the new Trax, weighs 3,014 lbs in base form and up to 3,289 in its top trim. Expect similar from the new Trax.

Chevrolet Trax Engine And Performance

The new Chevrolet Trax engine has lost a cylinder and has a smaller capacity. It's a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo mill shared with the Trailblazer that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. While we acknowledge that figures don't always tell the full story, this is less than the 155 hp/177 lb-ft that the current Trax has, and that already feels rather uninspiring.

This 1.2-liter is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission and exclusive front-wheel drive, whereas the previous Trax could be optioned with all-wheel drive. The simpler layout and smaller engine have helped Chevy keep the new Trax's price low, but we don't have high hopes for a 0-60 time of below nine seconds.

Chevy does say that overtaking power and on-ramp acceleration are good, and the torque should help with that once on the move. Customers will have to expect that this is one crossover that looks sportier than it goes, though.

Gas Mileage

EPA-rated gas mileage figures for the new Chevrolet Trax crossover aren't available yet, but the base Trailblazer FWD with this engine returns 29/31/30 mpg city/highway/combined. Assuming similar consumption for the new Trax and the same 13.2-gallon gas tank as the Trailblazer, it should have a range of around 396 miles.

Chevrolet Trax Interior And Cargo

The larger dimensions have made the new Chrevrolet Trax's interior a lot more spacious than it was. That includes three inches of additional legroom in the second row, and the cargo space in the Chevrolet Trax has grown too. At 25.6 cubic feet behind the second row, the new model has a lot more space for stuff than the previous model's 18.7 cubes. With the seats folded, there are now 54.1 cubes, up from 48.4 before.

Matching the greater practicality inside is a much sportier design than before. Lower trims have an eight-inch touchscreen, while the pricier three trims have a larger 11-inch display and an eight-inch digital gauge cluster. Most trims come with automatic climate control, push-button start, and wireless phone charging. There is also a wireless connection for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Heating for the front seats in the Chevrolet Trax is standard for 1RS, 2RS, and Activ models. For the Activ, there is a power-adjustable driver's seat, too. Once again, different trims have a unique look inside, with the 2RS getting red accents, the Activ having Evotex seats with yellow accents, and the LT coming with plainer Sky Cool Gray accents.

Under the Chevy Safety Assist suite, the Trax comes with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, and more. And, for the first time in the Chevy Trax, you can equip adaptive cruise control.

Overall, the Trax represents a lot of value in a segment where price is a major selling point. That alone should see it find many more buyers than the car it replaces.