2024 Chevrolet Trax

To say the redesigned Chevy Trax has gone from zero to hero would be stretching in both directions, but it’s no stretch at all to call it the most improved model of 2024. It’s infinitely more attractive inside and out, and now counts as one of the best-looking entries in the segment. It’s also one of the roomiest subcompact SUVs you can buy, and even the base model features plenty of desirable tech. The list of small SUVs worth considering just got one car longer.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the latest Chevy Trax. The test model seen here is a 2024 Trax RS2 in Nitro Yellow Metallic with a sticker price of $27,080.

Virtually everything about the redesigned 2024 Trax is new, from its longer wheelbase and additional interior space to many of the features on its standard content list. The engine is new to Trax, as is its Blazer-inspired styling. The available infotainment touchscreens are bigger, and your smartphone connectivity is through wireless Apple CarPlay or wireless Android Auto. The Chevy Safety Assist battery of safety and driver-assistance technologies is standard on every grade.

The Trax is on the more affordable side of subcompact SUVs alongside smaller entries like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue. It starts a few thousand less than Chevy’s other subcompact SUV, the Trailblazer, which is half a grade ahead in materials and refinement. We’d stay away from the base LS trim and target the LT at the very least. Before buying a Trax, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Resale value has not been a Trax strength, but the new version is significantly more competitive and we expect to see some improvement in that area. Remember, recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The 2024 Chevy Trax isn’t the most powerful subcompact SUV on the market, but we’ve found it surprisingly satisfying to drive. Its small, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is a bit coarser than the segment’s more common 4-cylinder engines, but it’s responsive around town and delivers enough highway merging power. Combined with great steering and brake feel, the Trax is an eager and competent little SUV. Highway ride quality is about typical for the segment, if a tad firmer.

The interior of the Chevy Trax has a pleasant layout, and the tech features are easy to use. A feature-rich touchscreen is aimed at the driver, and you still get easy-to-use knobs and buttons for the HVAC controls. Pictured below is the 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, which replaces an 8-inch unit found in lower trims. We like the dual displays and crisp graphics, but the infotainment system isn’t particularly robust otherwise.

Some of us felt the seats started to feel a bit small on longer drives, but some of us are bigger than others and seat comfort is highly subjective. We thought the seat fabric on the base LS trim was a little low-rent, but luckily, it doesn’t cost much to get nicer seats.

The Trax boasts best-in-class rear-seat legroom. Indeed, we found rear legroom and headroom generous, even for adults. But the expansiveness of the accommodations is countered a bit by the fact that you can’t get air vents, a center armrest, or cupholders in back.

The Trax has 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, ranking it among the roomiest in its class. Naturally, you get more cargo room when you fold down the rear seats.

We’ve already established that the 2024 Chevy Trax is longer and wider than the previous generation. Reinforcing the hunkered, athletic look is a significant 5- to 6-inch reduction in height (depending on wheel size) compared to the previous generation. To say designers paid homage to the larger Chevy Blazer when penning the lines of the 2024 Trax would be an understatement. We wouldn’t be surprised to learn the stylists used a checklist of the Blazer styling cues when designing the newest Trax. With size being your only clue, the resemblance is uncanny from the front. All in all, the reinvigorated Trax has serious curb appeal.

Chevy Safety Assist
Standard on every new Trax, this bundle of technologies includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Other technologies are lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and following-distance indicator.

Bigger touchscreens
Chevy boosted the size of the standard touchscreen in the LS and 1RS to an 8-inch display, while the upper trims feature an 11-inch screen.

Driver information display
This 8-inch programmable display provides a host of information about the vehicle and its various systems.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Whether your smartphone operating system is Android or Apple’s iOS, it will interface with the Trax infotainment system without cables.

Disc brakes
Chevy dumped the rear drum brakes of the outgoing model in favor of 4-wheel disc brakes on all trim levels.

LED headlights
Every Trax model arrives with LED headlights that illuminate a longer, wider area than halogen lamps. Moreover, they are more easily seen by approaching drivers.

The 2024 Chevy Trax is a little less powerful but a tad more fuel-efficient than most of its competitors. A 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine generates only 137 horsepower, but 162 lb-ft of torque. That power runs through a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission that helps deliver an improved sense of responsiveness compared to the continuously variable automatic transmissions increasingly common in the segment. The Trax is among a handful of subcompact SUVs offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, with no provision for all-wheel drive.

3-year/36,000-mile Warranty

The 2024 Trax is covered by Chevy’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This level of warranty protection, which also includes 24/7 roadside assistance, is typical for the segment.