By Derek Price
Automotive Writer
Take a look at pictures of this car, the Trax, and guess how big it is.
This newest crossover from Chevrolet may look like a roomy family car in photos thanks to its SUV-like face, but in reality it’s about a foot shorter than compact sedans like the Kia Forte and Honda Civic. And that means you have to re-think exactly what the word “crossover” means when you drive one.
Fortunately for General Motors, pint-size crossovers like the Trax are a fast-growing niche in today’s car world. They have the fuel efficiency and nimble driving feel of compact cars, but they look more upscale and have more practical interiors for busy lives.
The Chevrolet Trax has the styling swagger of a big, SUV-like crossover, but it’s actually dramatically smaller than most.
That’s why sales in this category are expected to grow a whopping 80 percent in the next few years.
They also can be surprisingly comfortable on road trips, as I found out on a long drive from Texas to Ohio in the new Trax. Its suspension is tuned to be softer — and hence much more comfortable for long days on the interstate — than sportier competitors like the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul.
The Trax shares its family tree with the Buick Encore, so that squishy ride shouldn’t really be a surprise. The Chevy version will save you around $4,000 compared to its luxury-oriented cousin from Buick, but it’s got the same basic architecture, spaciousness and practicality.
It’s obvious where GM cut corners to save that four grand, though. Compared to the Encore, my Trax test car had more wind and road noise and a cheaper feeling cabin with a disappointing abundance of hard plastics.
Still, it’s hard to complain about a car that starts under $21,000, an almost unheard-of price for crossovers in 2015.
And it’s even harder to complain when you look at the standard features it includes at that price. There’s the air conditioning and power windows and locks, which you’d expect, but also a long list of things you wouldn’t: a seven-inch touch screen, built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, 10 air bags, USB port and remote keyless entry.
You can also rack up the luxury options, if you choose, by adding all-wheel drive, a Bose sound system, heated front seats, rear park assist and 18-inch wheels on the higher-end trim levels.
Just for fun, I spec’d out a loaded Trax on Chevy’s website to see what it would cost. A fully optioned LTZ with all-wheel drive can cross the $30,000 mark, but it takes some work. You’ve got to go crazy on the option boxes to get there.
Because of its bulbous shape, the Trax interior feels spacious and airy, despite its short length. It has more than 48 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold the rear sets down.
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s a good fit for this car. It makes 138 horsepower, which is adequate, while earning a 34-mpg highway rating for fuel economy.
It’s also only available with one transmission: a six-speed automatic.
At a Glance
What was tested?
2015 Chevrolet Trax LT FWD ($22,445). Options: LT Plus Package ($670). Price as tested (including $875 destination charge): $23,990
Wheelbase: 100.6 in.
Length: 168.5 in.
Width: 69.9 in.
Height: 65.9 in.
Engine: 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (138 horsepower, 148 lbs.-ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Estimated Mileage: 26 city, 34 highway
RATINGS
Style: 7
Performance: 5
Price: 10
Handling: 6
Ride: 8
Comfort: 8
Quality: 7
Overall: 7
Video Review:
2015 Chevrolet Trax
bit.ly/2015trax
Why buy it?
It has the bold SUV styling of a crossover vehicle and a lot of standard features for the money. It also has the nimble maneuverability and fuel efficiency of a compact sedan, but with more cargo space and versatility.