In a world that feels increasingly unfamiliar, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax emerges as a surprisingly spacious and value-packed vehicle. My recent encounter with this crossover, courtesy of a Hertz rental, challenged my preconceptions and revealed a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers. The rental agent classified it as a “full-size car” based on interior volume, a designation that might raise eyebrows, but speaks volumes about the Trax’s transformation.
Gone is the cramped and awkward first-generation Trax. The 2024 model is longer, lower, wider, and significantly more attractive. It’s clear why this redesigned Trax is gaining traction, particularly in areas outside major cities where practicality and affordability are paramount. To truly understand its appeal, I embarked on a 930-mile road trip, putting the Trax LT through its paces. As someone with extensive experience with GM’s entry-level offerings, I was keen to see if this new Trax lived up to the brand’s reputation for delivering reliable and livable vehicles at a reasonable price.
Settling into the Trax LT for the long drive, the interior immediately impressed. Despite its budget-friendly starting MSRP of $22,300 (and an even more enticing $20,400 for the base LS), the cabin boasts a surprisingly upscale feel. The two-tone dash and door panels with varying textures, faux leather seats with cloth inserts, a prominent 11-inch touchscreen integrated with a digital gauge cluster, and stylish jet nozzle air vents with blue accents create a positive first impression. However, first impressions can be deceiving. Would this initial charm hold up over a week of real-world driving?
The first hint of compromise appeared in the center console area. The elimination of a traditional handbrake has led to a tall and wide console that, while visually appealing with its piano black trim around the shifter, feels constructed from hard, cheap plastic. Elbow room is at a premium, and buckling up the seatbelt became a minor obstacle course. A side-hinged console lid and softer armrest materials would significantly improve daily usability. The door armrests, in particular, are exceptionally hard, a stark reminder of cost-cutting measures. While understanding the need to position the Trax below the Trailblazer in Chevy’s lineup, these are areas ripe for improvement, especially considering the generous features included elsewhere.
Despite these ergonomic shortcomings, the Trax LT is far from spartan. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, blind spot monitoring, an HD backup camera with rear cross-traffic alert, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Single-zone climate control and a physical volume knob for the audio system are also present. While the volume knob is positioned somewhat awkwardly, requiring a reach around the steering wheel and wiper stalk, its inclusion is appreciated.
The real triumph of the 2024 Trax lies in its spaciousness. Even at 6’4″, I found ample legroom with the driver’s seat fully extended. Rear seat passengers also benefit from generous legroom and a flat floor, making it comfortable for adults. While rear amenities are basic, limited to device plug-ins and lacking a center armrest or map pockets, the focus is clearly on maximizing passenger space. The cargo area behind the rear seats is also surprisingly accommodating, easily swallowing luggage and more.
Under the hood, the Trax is powered by a diminutive 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. While its displacement might seem insufficient, its performance is surprisingly adequate. While not a sports car, the engine provides enough power for confident acceleration, even managing to chirp the tires from a standstill. On the highway, the six-speed automatic transmission readily downshifts, providing responsive power for passing and merging. Fuel economy is respectable, with my highway-heavy trip averaging 32 mpg, matching its EPA highway rating. This fuel efficiency is competitive within the subcompact crossover segment, although slightly less than what previous Chevy Cruze owners might be accustomed to. The thought of the older 1.4-liter turbo four from the Cruze in this application is intriguing, potentially offering a blend of better performance and similar fuel economy.
Driving the Trax evoked a sense of familiarity, particularly for someone accustomed to GM vehicles. The ride quality leans towards comfortable, effectively absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road. Cornering is predictable and flat, although not sporty, which is expected for this type of vehicle. Despite the increased ground clearance (7.3 inches), body roll is well-controlled. Road noise is present, partly attributed to the all-season tires, but not intrusive. Overall, the driving experience is competent and comfortable for everyday use.
Compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, the 2024 Chevy Trax holds a compelling advantage. It offers more rear seat legroom and cargo space than both while being competitively priced. In base form, the Trax is just slightly more expensive than the Venue and less expensive than the Kicks. Furthermore, the Trax boasts a more powerful engine, delivering 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Venue (121 hp, 113 lb-ft) and Kicks (122 hp, 114 lb-ft). The Trax also has a larger overall footprint, dwarfing both the Venue and Kicks in exterior dimensions and even surpassing its Trailblazer stablemate in length. The long, flat hood provides a commanding view of the road, adding to the feeling of driving a larger vehicle.
Conclusion:
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a compelling budget crossover that delivers exceptional value for money. Its spacious interior, generous feature set, and attractive styling make it a standout in its class. While some cost-cutting measures are evident in interior materials and certain ergonomic aspects, the Trax excels in areas that matter most to budget-conscious buyers: space, features, and affordability. With decent winter tires, the Trax could be a practical all-season vehicle in many climates. Its success in the market seems assured, potentially challenging established competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek, provided long-term reliability proves to be solid. The 2024 Trax demonstrates that Chevrolet still understands its core customer base and can deliver appealing, affordable vehicles. It represents a positive step forward for the brand and a strong contender in the competitive subcompact crossover segment.
