The 2024 Chevrolet Trax Compact SUV Is A Great Option, No Caveats
Completely redesigned for 2024, the Chevrolet Trax is new from the ground up. Its larger size, elegant design and very affordable price make it absolutely worth your consideration.
Sara Lacey
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It’s been redesigned, and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is completely new and when I say that it is impressive, there is no caveat. There is no qualifier. It’s got great looks, comfortable interior space, it’s larger than its predecessor and it delivers an unexpectedly nimble and peppy drive experience.
And now you might be thinking that might be great, and of course it is great because it’s an expensive new car. But here’s the best piece of news. It’s not. The Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,495.
WHAT? Yes. And the top trim level starts at $24,995
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The 2024 Chevrolet Trax RS with black wheels. Photo: Sara Lacey
The Exterior of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax Definitely Looks Sharp
There are design elements that make the Trax look fit and crisp. The headlights are cool LED slits that sit toward the top of the grille. Below them are angled dark chrome details that look like elongated “greater than” and “less than” carats. They sit adjacent to a gorgeous, blacked out new grille. The exception to that cool design detail is on the active trim, and those shapes are body-colored and are integrated into the grille from the rest of the car.
The body is creased along the bottom of the windows and angles up toward the lift gate. This sculptural element makes your eye move effortlessly from the front of the Trax to the back. It’s so crisp.
The roofline is also 4 inches lower and the rear end has a spoiler that just keeps your eye moving. These elements make the Trax look athletic and streamlined.
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The Trax front seat. Photo: Sara Lacey
The Engine and Transmission are Worthy of Discussion
If you’re doing your homework and look at the engine specs, you may be wondering just what kind of power you will (or more to the point, won’t) be getting. The engine is a turbocharged 1.2l 3-cylinder. Maybe you worry because you are concerned it’s underpowered. I’m here to tell you…don’t. The engine generates plenty of power, and the six-speed transmission makes the most of it.
Sometimes manufacturers will pair an engine with a transmission that doesn’t manage the power in the best way. That definitely does not happen in the new Trax. I drove up and down hilly, twisty roads, I merged on highways, I never felt that I was lacking power.
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2024 Chevrolet Trax front end. Photo: Sara Lacey
Heads-Up Regarding All-Wheel Drive
You do need to know that if you want all-wheel drive you’re going to have to look elsewhere. Chevrolet is hoping you focus on the Trailblazer if that’s a must-have for you, because the Trax is only available in front-wheel drive.
Aha, you’re thinking…a caveat! But because the car is so balanced you could be set with the front wheel drive and good tires if you live in an area with inclement weather. So no. Not quite a caveat.
Check out the rear angles and spoiler. Photo: Sara Lacey
The New 2024 Chevrolet Trax is Bigger
The longer length of the Trax and the wider stance make it feel super stable and nimble. It isn’t quite as tall, so that helps also. To be specific, the Trax is 11 inches longer, and 2 inches wider than the outgoing model. This translates most obviously to the extra 3 inches of legroom in the back seat, and cargo capacity increases by almost 12%.
Upgraded touchscreen and center console. Photo: Sara Lacey
Let’s Talk About the Solid List of Standard Features
Like the Chevrolet suite of safety features that they call Safety Assist. It includes lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams.
The Trax also has a standard rear-vision camera, tire pressure monitor, and six standard airbags. You’ll also get LED headlights and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, teen driver safety program, and privacy glass. Oh, and the Trax also has active noise cancellation that mutes engine, wind, and road noise inside the car.
2024 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV. Photo: Sara Lacey
Here is the breakdown of trim levels, their starting prices and a few details:
- LS: Starts at $21,495. 17” steel wheels, sky grey interior trim color, 3.5” digital instrument cluster, 8” multimedia touchscreen, light grey interior details
- 1RS: Starts at $23,195, 18” aluminum wheels, 3.5” digital instrument cluster, 8” multimedia touchscreen
- LT: Starts at $23,395, 17” aluminum wheels, 8” digital instrument cluster, 11” multimedia touchscreen, light grey interior details
- 2RS: Starts at $24,995, 19” aluminum wheels, 8” digital instrument cluster, 11” multimedia touchscreen, polished black interior details
- ACTIV Starts at $24,995, 18” aluminum wheels, 8” digital instrument cluster, 11” multimedia touchscreen, body colored front end, titanium grey interior details
The back seat of the Trax RS. Photo: Sara Lacey
Interior Appointments Make Everyone Happy
That’s because the seats are comfortable. And there are five of them. The center position in the back seat is pretty narrow, so check it out if you think you’ll be using that space for passengers regularly. There are two sets of latch connectors, and three tether anchors. The seating material in the ACTIV trim is called Evotex, which is a synthetic leather.
The aforementioned larger rear seat manifests in more legroom. Rear passengers also have a USB and a USB-C charge port and a small cubby on the back of the center console.
The dashboard is notable because of the sculptural, beveled dashboard that extends in front of the passenger. The air vents are silver and have colored details too. The controls pivot toward the driver, even the multimedia touchscreen. But the passenger doesn’t feel left out in the cold because of the design details.
The LT has a silver accent on the bevel of the dash that has a cool triangle pattern in it. This pattern is mirrored in the upholstery too. I love that the LT has this cool design consistency.
There are two screens in the Trax, one is the 8-inch or 11-inch multimedia touchscreen, and the other is the digital instrument cluster. These screens look polished and work nicely with the beveled dash, shiny black climate controls, and silver center console.
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Chevrolet Trax beveled dash. Photo: Sara Lacey
When a Long List Doesn’t do Justice to the Final Product
Y’all, there is a lot to love about the new Chevrolet Trax. It’s so much fun when the list of features and design elements don’t just meet with expectations, but exceed them. The low price point is a good reason to consider the new Chevrolet Trax, but the execution might just convince you this should be the next car you own.
The Trax on twisty, misty roads. Photo: Sara Lacey
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Disclosure: I was a guest of Chevrolet for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.
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