Chevrolet has a new value-priced leader, and unlike the outgoing 2022 Chevy Trax, it is quite a good looking vehicle for just over $20,000. While Chevrolet stipulates, “The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment… Dealer sets the final price,” the Trax has starting msrp of just $20,400, making it one of the cheapest new vehicles in America. More impressive still, fully loaded models — sunroof and all — run just under $27k. Let’s take a look at what you get.
What’s Included?
Standard equipment on the base Trax LS is so impressive it starts to make sense why new cars are so expensive in America today. It includes 17 inch wheels, active noise cancellation, Apple Carplay/Android auto, and all the other amenities that have become standard on new cars over the past two decades or so; roll up windows and manual door locks are a thing of the past. Power door locks, power windows, steering wheel mounted controls, cruise control, key fobs, manually adjustable driver’s seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 11 inch color touchscreen, floor mats, USB ports, anti-theft system, all standard equipment. Chevy Safety Assist, also standard, includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, lane keep assist, and intellibeam auto highbeams, along with six standard airbags and rear vision camera.
Mid-Level Trims
The next level up trims are 1RS and LT trim, each about $2,000 more than the LS. LT adds single-zone manual climate control, foldable keys, remote start, 6-speaker audio system (instead of 4), 17 inch machined two tone wheels, 11 inch diagonal HD color touchscreen (instead of 8), and “Evotex”/cloth seating surfaces (instead of just cloth). The racier 1RS trim adds black Chevy badges, red interior accents, 18 inch machined two tone wheels, and unique RS grille, and swaps out some of the options from the LT to get these options (for example, it comes with the 8 inch touchscreen).
Upper-Level Trims
The higher level trims are the 2RS and the ACTIV, both of which start at $23,900 msrp. The racier 2RS has everything from the LT trim, plus 19 inch machined two tone wheels, black RS grill, and red interior accents. The ACTIV has all LT content plus 18 inch black aluminum wheels, black grille with titanium chrome accents, and ACTIV badging. Other features on the ACTIV and 2RS include heated driver and passenger seats, heated steering wheel, keyless open, and full Evotex seat trim. The ACTIV gets lumbar seat controls and 8 way power driver seat as well as a wrapped steering wheel. Options (not standard) on top trims include adaptive cruise, premium floor mats, sunroof, and wireless charging.
All Trax models include 4 wheel antilock brakes, a 6-speed genuinely automatic transmission (not a CVT), an ECOTEC turbo engine, electric power steering, and MacPherson front struts. All Trax Models are rates at 28MPG city and 32 MPG highway. Chevy has a 5 year / 60,000 mile limited powertrain warranty.
Initial reviews of the Trax have been overwhelmingly positive. No one will confuse it for a genuine off-roader, but the front-wheel drive Trax can handle basically all of what the average consumer throws at a car today. Its 162 lb-ft of torque and 137 horsepower won’t win any drag races, but are more than adequate to merge onto the freeway.
Autosplainer is for informational purposes only. Best attempts are made to ensure reliability and timeliness of information. Autosplainer does not sell vehicles or offer products or services of any kind for sale.