2017 Chevrolet Trax: First Look
CARS.COM
Competes with: Fiat 500X, Mazda CX-3, Jeep Renegade, Honda HR-V
Looks like: The current Trax with a Malibu nose job
Drivetrain: 138-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder; six-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive
Hits dealers: Fall 2016
The Chevrolet Trax has performed decently in the market, quickly climbing to become the second-best-selling subcompact SUV in the U.S., according to the automaker. Despite being new for 2015, Chevrolet is updating it for 2017; the more polished Trax is making its debut this week at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.
More 2016 Chicago Auto Show News
The Trax didn’t do so well in Cars.com’s recent Subcompact SUV Challenge, however. Its low-rent interior, lack of refinement and shortage of advanced safety features put it dead last in our test. The updated model gets a much-needed interior makeover as well as some additional comfort and convenience features.
Exterior
The 2017 Trax wears a completely new front end; its two-level split Chevrolet grille is flanked by updated headlights that bring it more in line with the Chevrolet family look seen on Malibu, Volt and Cruze. They’re halogen lights on the base LS models, and projector-style with LED accents on higher LT and Premier trim levels. In back, there’s a new rear bumper and taillights, with LED units on the Premier trim level; 18-inch wheels are optional on the Premier trim as well.
Interior
Chevy apparently got the message about the Trax’s rental-car feel, upgrading its interior materials and design. The new dash is a one-piece flowing design that keeps the traditional Chevy dual-cockpit motif. A new 7-inch touch-screen graces the center console with an optional multimedia system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to Chevy’s MyLink application. A new instrument panel and gauges update the driver’s information displays, with a combination of digital and analog readouts. The Trax now features optional keyless entry and start, and continues to offer an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot that can connect up to seven wireless devices.
Under the Hood
The changes to the Trax are cosmetic, with no updates to the car’s drivetrain, suspension tune or mechanical bits. As such, it still offers a punchy turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 138 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
Safety
Chevrolet addresses the Trax’s lack of electronic safety systems with the addition of several optional features to make it more competitive. A backup camera is now standard, and blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems are now available depending on the model.
The new 2017 Trax will go on sale this fall.
