Used 2018 Chevrolet Trax LS SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Chevrolet Trax LS SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Just bought and will update as time goes on
Shawn S, Helena, MT, 02/02/2018
2018 Chevrolet Trax LS 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Look, I am a large guy and a family man. I fit behind the wheel easily and find the seats comfortable. Leg room in the back seat is tight, but hey... That's where my kids sit. I bought a compact SUV for goodness sake and I know it. To be fair, I just bought this car with 8 miles on it a few days ago and so have been "playing" in it. I am not sure what kind of acceleration people are … looking for or why in God's name they think they need to get to 60mph in under 4 seconds. Go get a porche if that's your thing. So, here is my experience and opinion so far. Pros: for a SMALL SUV, this vehicle makes use of every inch. Like I said, I am a big guy, the seat belt fits fine, the seat doesn't hit pressure points that cause me to ache when driving 2+hrs. There is storage cubbies all over the interior, though I do not understand the space between the seats having 4 cup holders and then 2 more in the back seat arm rest. I wish instead of having the four up front, they would have done the two with a combined middle arm rest with storage bin inside that... but hey, you adjust! Tech inside is very nice. The info system is easy to connect to your phone. I have read previous people complaining about losing blue tooth connection, but my phone connects from 50 feet away and doesn't ever drop, to date. The sound system is crisp as is the mic for the calling aspect. The car handles like a dream. You are listening to a past pizza delivery guy. This little bugger has a tight turn radius (able to do a U turn in a 2 lane road without touching the curb). When starting from 0, I can get to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. So again, don't understand the complaining about power in this vehicle. At 60 MPH, I floored the gas and kicked the turbo enine in to hit 70 MPH in under another 3 seconds. Not bad if your looking to pass that semi. The AWD holds the road fine in snow and ice, as this Montana guy can atest. Storgae space? Again, if your trying to haul wood on a regular basis or have need of that pole vault pole all the time... why are you looking at a compact SUV? Get that hummer you had your eye on... There is ample head room for those over 6 ft, like myself. Plenty of room for groceries without folding the seats down. If you need to haul two large beasts, like my mastiff and lab/shep mix, they both fit comfortably with the seats folded down. It is also nice that the front passenger seat can fold as flat as the back seats for even more cargo space (so hey... you could haul some lengths of wood around). The controls for the heat/AC and defrost are easy to reach and super simple to use. I love how this SUV hugs the road... Years ago i used to own the Geo Tracker, and this little thing reminds me of it except not being so top heavy... and looking more stylish. Gee... wonder if the Trax is the upgraded Tracker... HMMM? The last myth I want to shut down is... road noise. This car has as much road noise as a RAV or CRV... I know as I have owned both. It is not as quiet as a Lexus or BMW, but hey... you are laying out $20k, not $40. Now for the Cons: The LS model does NOT come with cruise control. I can drive with my foot on the pedal comfortably for about 4hrs. So if you are going on a long haul? I suggest you upgrade to LT package. Visibility is good in this vehicle. If you want to know what rough rear visibility is, take a drive in a Rogue and do some backing maneuvers using that back window. The reason I am putting visibility in the negative is three fold: 1) I personally prefer having window tinting... but again I believe this is an LT feature; 2) The headlights feel weak to me. Again, as having delivered pizzas... these lights just are not bright enough on the stock to see numbers on mailboxes without driving right up on the mailbox (I will be replacing these very soon) 3: The windsheild wipers that come stock... they are just bad. I mean these are $10 blades, if that. They will remove water ok, probably for about a month... but snow or sleet... it takes a pass or two to clear it (another item that I will be replacing quickly). My average MPG is hitting at about 25, but remember, i live in the mountains and interstate travel has been done, but not serious... so for an AWD, this is not bad for in the city. I will update this in about 6 months.
Update:
So here I am with 5k miles on the car. A couple of issues have popped up that the dealership took care of without complaint: 1) one of the roof top weather strips came off in a car wash. Per the tech, this is common with the Trax and when repaired they use extra clips and bonding glue. No problem since. 2) The AC barely worked... this was not an issue with the car, but a failure at the plant. they put enough coolant in to test the system to ensure no leaks, then once the test was passed forgot to top off the unit. The car still handles great and is fun to drive. needs a little more storage space and oomph on take off.
Bad decision
SW, De Soto, MO, 02/13/2020
2018 Chevrolet Trax LS 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I purchased a 2018 Chevy tracks redline addition with 184 miles on it. It was in the shop for 6+ weeks for transmission issue that was covered under warranty missing a part coming out of the factory. It was in the shop so long GM actually reimbursed me for two of the payments that I made. The windshield seal leaked and ended up with a puddle of water in my floorboard they had to replace … that. There was one recall about some welds that we’re not done in the factory. There is wind noise on the back right passenger door they replaced the stripping and it still makes the noise. Now with 42,000 miles the transmission is acting up now in the shop to determine what the problem is and it’s probably not covered under the powertrain warranty which is up to 60,000 miles. Currently looking to get rid of this car. Not sure where I will be if it last to 60,000. Do your homework, read reviews. Overall I would not highly rate this vehicle.
What a hunk of trash
Martin , Prairie Village, KS, 07/03/2020
2018 Chevrolet Trax LS 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
If I could give this a zero I would. My wife’s boss purchased this for a delivery vehicle for the bank they work at. So far it’s been in the shop 7 times it a 2018 with 53,000 miles. The largest of the breakdowns was a rear end module which was a $ 700. Repair and yesterday the ac compressor went out which is $ 1,200. This vehicle has never been abused and has always had regular … maintenance. Unfortunately they did not purchase an extended warranty bc they usually trade it in every three years. Besides the two main repairs there have been electrical problems and steering problems all I will say if you purchase a Trax make dam sure you get an extended bumper to bumper warranty. Good luck.
Water pump at 35,000?
Alan.M, Laguna Beach, CA, 05/03/2023
2018 Chevrolet Trax LS 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I like my wife’s 2018 trax but it seems a bit shoddy on the quality of materials and build of the car.. the part that gets me is the 35k miles the gas charcoal canister has a leak and needs replacing at $750 and now her water Pump took a dump at 35k miles and it’s going to cost us $1200 to replace.. it’s in a difficult spot for the mechanic to reach and remove..
I hope and pray that … that’s the last of the 35k miles problems.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Chevrolet Trax LS SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Offers appealing passenger space for its size
- Pro:Plenty of features for the price
- Con:Ride quality is choppy on the freeway
- Con:Slow acceleration from the underpowered engine
- Con:Less cargo space than some rivals
- Con:Fuel economy falls short of the class
Which Trax does Edmunds recommend?
We think the LT trim is the best deal. Among other things, it features LED daytime running lights, cruise control and rails for roof-mounted luggage racks. Consider adding the Driver Confidence package (which requires the LT Convenience package); for a reasonable price, you get extra safety technology and some interior trim upgrades. Also consider sticking with front-wheel drive unless you frequently drive in wet or snowy conditions. Otherwise, the added weight of all-wheel drive further slows the Trax's already pokey acceleration.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Chevrolet Trax SUV
Driving
Braking performance is average for the class, and steering is precise if numb. Otherwise, the Trax falls behind the segment in terms of performance and handling. The small engine struggles to accelerate, and the tires protest in even moderate turns.
Comfort
Comfortable seats are the high point. Beyond that, the Trax's ride quality exhibits quite a bit of choppiness, and there's a fair amount of road noise. Some competitors offer better ride quality and a more pleasant driving experience.
Interior
A smart interior layout makes the most of the Trax's relatively small — but still competitive for the segment — interior space. Visibility is good, the controls are straightforward, and getting in and out is pretty easy.
Utility
Cargo volume is less than what some competitors offer, but the rear seats are easy to fold. The fold-flat front seat provides extra space for longer items. Maximum cargo space is 48.4 cubic feet.
Technology
Chevy's MyLink system is easy to learn, and combined with OnStar, provides a robust set of features. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as is Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. Only the Premier trim gets a full suite of active safety features, but some are available on the LT.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Chevrolet Trax in Ohio is:
not availableLegal