2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV
Pros
- Respectable passenger space for its size
- Lots of standard equipment for the money
- Excellent crash test scores give you extra peace of mind
Cons
- Choppy ride quality on the highway
- Difficult to achieve fuel economy estimate in real-world driving
- Not as much cargo space as some other rival crossovers
2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Chevrolet introduced its pint-size crossover SUV, the Trax, to American shoppers in 2015. For people wanting something smaller and less expensive than the Chevy Equinox, the Trax has been a viable alternative on the Chevy dealer lot. But compared to other subcompact crossovers, it has left us underwhelmed. The 2017 Trax gets a major update, so it's a fair question to wonder whether it is now a serious contender or if it is just spinning its wheels in the mud.
The exterior differences between the 2016 and 2017 Trax are immediately obvious. The refreshed car has new grille and headlight designs, both of which look similar to newer Chevy vehicles such as the Spark and Sonic. Inside, the instrument panel has a more traditional and flowing look to it, which we like better than last year's blocky dash. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone app integration are new this year and relegate navigation duties to your phone's default app rather than the last year's BringGo premium app. Several new options are available as well, such as keyless entry and ignition and advanced safety features.
Unfortunately, Chevrolet didn't address all of the Trax's existing deficiencies. The Trax is still a relative underperformer for fuel economy, and its ride quality on rough roads isn't the smoothest. If these are areas of concern, you might be happier with one of the Trax's rivals. The sporty Mazda CX-3 and the roomy Honda HR-V are smart choices, and they deliver excellent fuel economy to boot. The Jeep Renegade brings a bit of off-road ruggedness to the mix, while its corporate cousin, the Fiat 500X, upstages the Trax with its Italian design. Overall, though, the 2017 Trax is more attractive and competitive this year, and it's certainly worth a look if interior space is a priority.
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Also standard is OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle assistance.
Front-wheel-drive models have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, while all-wheel-drive versions have four-wheel disc brakes. At the Edmunds test track, an LTZ AWD came to a halt from 60 mph in 120 feet, and an LT required 122 feet. Both stopping distances are about average for this class.
A rearview camera is standard on all versions, and additional advanced safety features are standard or optional depending on trim. The Driver Confidence package (standard on Premier and optional for the LT) includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Premier's Driver Confidence II package adds forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
In government crash tests, the 2017 Trax received a top five-star rating overall, with five stars for total front-impact safety and five stars for total side crash safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Trax its highest possible rating of Good in its small-overlap and moderate-overlap front-impact tests as well as a Good score for the side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests.
2017 Chevrolet Trax configurations
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax subcompact crossover is offered in LS, LT and Premier trim levels. Each is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Standard equipment on the LS includes 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a driver information display, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, power lumbar adjustment for the driver seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a rear cargo cover. Standard electronic features include the Chevrolet MyLink interface with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone app integration, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, OnStar (with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot) and a six-speaker sound system with two USB ports and an auxiliary audio jack. All-wheel-drive models get alloy wheels.
The LT trim adds alloy wheels, roof rails, upgraded headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, silver-colored exterior elements, rear privacy glass, cruise control, remote engine start, heated outside mirrors, a storage drawer under the front passenger seat, upgraded cloth upholstery, a 110-volt household-style power outlet and satellite radio.
The LT is available with several features packages. The Sun and Sound package consists of a seven-speaker Bose audio system and a sunroof. The LT Convenience package adds keyless entry and ignition, a six-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth/leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery. The Driver Confidence package includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
Going with the Premier gets you all the above features except the sunroof (which is available as a stand-alone option). Also included are 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats and full leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery.
The Premier is available with the Driver Confidence II package, which adds forward collision and lane departure warning systems.
Every 2017 Chevrolet Trax comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. In Edmunds testing, a Trax LTZ (the Premier's previous name) with all-wheel drive accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 10 seconds flat. A front-wheel-drive Trax was quicker at 8.9 seconds. These are average times for a subcompact crossover SUV.
The EPA's estimated fuel economy figures are 28 mpg combined (25 city/33 highway) with front-wheel drive and 27 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway) with all-wheel drive. These are respectable figures for this class of vehicle, but similar to our experience with the Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze (which share this turbocharged 1.4-liter engine), we've found it difficult to achieve the EPA's ratings in real-world driving.
Driving
With its small, urban-oriented footprint, the 2017 Chevrolet Trax is both easier to park and more maneuverable than larger crossovers. The LS and LT models are better riding because of their 16-inch wheels, but even so the ride can get choppy. It gets worse with the LTZ model and its 18-inch wheels. A busy ride, combined with the Trax's short wheelbase and somewhat vague steering, can generate a lack of straight-line stability on the highway, and you'll likely find yourself making frequent, albeit minor, steering corrections. When driven enthusiastically around turns, the Trax is competent, but the uncommunicative steering and modest tire grip prevent drivers from enjoying any real engagement.
The engine's performance is just adequate. Although the Trax's engine proves reasonably responsive in city driving, its lack of punch on the highway means merging and passing maneuvers require planning and patience. Regrettably, this is something that's pretty common for this class of vehicle; only the Nissan Juke can accelerate with any real sense of vigor. We do like the Trax's six-speed automatic transmission, though, which shifts smoothly and quickly enough to wring the most out of the engine's limited power.
Interior
Despite its small size, the 2017 Chevrolet Trax gives you plenty of useful interior space. Although the front seats are narrow, front-seat headroom and legroom are plentiful, while the rear seat has enough room for a pair of adults, provided neither is over 6 feet tall.
The Trax rear luggage area has a modest 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and though that's more than the average sedan's trunk (assuming you pack up to the roof), there's not much utility in a vehicle sold as a sport-utility. The rear seats fold down to expand that to 48.4 cubic feet; lifting the seat bottoms first allows for a flat load floor, which is viable when trying to maximize available cargo space. Those 48 cubes are on par with the Mazda CX-3 but constitute less total volume than vehicles such as the Jeep Renegade, Honda HR-V or Subaru XV Crosstrek.
Aside from the relatively small cargo area, the biggest issue is the substandard quality of the interior materials. Hard plastic covers most interior surfaces, and the handful of soft-touch surfaces don't impress as substantial when viewed or touched. Another example of cost-cutting is the absence of a center console, which impacts available interior storage.
The Trax's standard MyLink interface features a 7-inch touchscreen on the dash that links with your smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software. Both provide access to your music library, podcasts, navigation and certain apps such as Spotify. On the downside, the MyLink touchscreen can be slow and sometimes fails to register touch inputs, which can be frustrating.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Chevrolet Trax.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2017 Chevrolet Trax video
JOSH SADLIER: This is Edmund's editor Josh Sadlier, and here's an expert rundown of the 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The Trax is Chevy's smallest SUV, technically a subcompact crossover. New for 2017, is that refreshed nose you see. different headlights from fashion and so forth. It's notable, but let's not get carried away this is still basically the same vehicle we've known for a few years now. It's got a 1.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder under the hood, 138 horsepower, it's enough to get you off the line with some alacrity, but don't expect much passing power at highway speeds. The Trax's diminutive size makes it easy to park. Great little city car, but as you might expect cargo capacity is compromised. In terms of features the Trax is pretty competitive, including standard Apple car play and Android Auto for 2017. It's just the materials quality up there that leaves us a bit disappointed, lots of hard plastics. At this price point you're going to get some of that, but the Trax has maybe a little more than would like. Also there's a missing arm rest in the middle, no center armrest on top of the console. That is a bit unusual for a crossover. Bottom line with the Trax it's a nice little crossover for the city, but performance and build quality are just so-so. Would recommend shopping around in this segment before making your choice. For more Edmund's expert rundowns click the link to subscribe.
2017 Chevrolet Trax Expert Rundown Review
Looking for an affordable runabout that's easy to drive, easy to park and offers up-to-date technology? The 2017 Chevrolet Trax crossover might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
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See your car's valueThere's something adorable about the 2017 Chevrolet Trax. Maybe it's the smile in its newly redesigned grille. Or the way its profile seems to mimic a hunched-over bunny rabbit. But whatever it is that's so cute, it makes a driver want to get in and have fun.
The new grille and headlights bring a family resemblance between the Trax and other Chevy products like the Cruze, Malibu and Volt. But this isn't merely a gloss over the existing Trax, since the inside has also been thoroughly tweaked with a new instrument panel that has a more conventional and straightforward appearance, better gauge visibility and flows more naturally than before. The Lego look of the previous Trax dash has been banished to whatever place plastic toys go to when they die.
But more than better-looking, embedded in the dashboard is better technology. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are new to the Trax and promise seamless integration of your smartphone into the vehicle's entertainment and navigation systems. In fact last year's BringGo app navigation system has been ditched in favor of whatever app does those duties on your phone.
Other additions for this year's edition of the Trax include proximity triggered keyless entry and ignition for the first time, several new advanced safety features (including forward collision and rear cross-traffic alerts). And if the phone isn't enough, 4G LTE Wi-Fi is now on the options list.
Returning is the 1.4-liter turbocharged four rated at 138 horsepower. It feeds a standard six-speed automatic transmission and in either front or all-wheel drive.
Three trim levels are offered on the 2017 Trax. LS is the base model if you're more budget-minded. The LT is what most retail customers will buy. And at the top of the line is the Premier with blind spot monitoring, 18-inch wheels and, hold on, chrome accent door handles.
Fuel economy numbers for the Trax are modest considering its class and size. The front-drive Trax is rated at 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined. Throw on all-wheel drive and those numbers shift to 24 city, 30 highway and 27 combined.
To get a solid deal on a new Trax, take advantage of all the tools and information on Edmunds.com.
2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV Overview
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV is offered in the following styles: LS 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), LT 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Premier 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), LS 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Premier 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and LT 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A).
What do people think of the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Trax SUV 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Trax SUV.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Trax SUV featuring deep dives into trim levels including LS, LT, Premier, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Read our full review of the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV here.Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV?
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2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV Listings and Inventory
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV and all available trim types: Premier, LS, Premier, etc. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 Chevrolet Trax?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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