The 2026 Chevrolet Trax Packs a Bit of Personality and a Lot of Value: Review

Key Points in This Review

• The Chevrolet Trax’s biggest assets include standout styling, easy-to-use tech and a lot of features for its affordable price.
• The Trax’s biggest shortcomings are a lack of all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that can feel slow when passing and merging.
• The Trax was redesigned for 2024 with more space, a new engine, and additional safety and convenience features; it carries over to 2026 with only minor changes.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax a Good Car?

Absolutely! The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is a stylish, likable and affordable car that delivers comfortable road manners, standout styling and strong value for the money. Buyers looking for AWD, however, should look elsewhere; unlike some subcompact competitors, the Trax only comes with front-wheel drive (which is why we don’t call it an SUV).

For 2024, the Trax underwent a dramatic styling makeover, trading its chunky, frumpy looks for a sleeker, more stylish design — plus a roomier interior, additional safety and convenience features, and a new turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. We liked it so much that Cars.com’s editors named it the Best Car of 2024. There have been no significant changes in subsequent model years.

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The Trax competes against the likes of the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos, both of which offer AWD, and the Hyundai Venue, which does not; see them compared.

What’s It Like to Drive the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?

• Takeaway: While the Trax isn’t exciting to drive, it is comfortable, and power from its 137-horsepower, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is decent.

While the Trax’s expressive face and fastback silhouette might hint at sportiness, its road manners are, on the whole, forgettable — but that’s OK because it’s comfortable to drive.

Power comes from a 137-hp, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. From a stop, the Trax goes just fine, but … wait for it … passing will require some planning. The six-speed automatic operates predictably, delivering prompt, well-timed shifts, but power builds slowly. You’ll hear it, too; the engine sounds loud and coarse when pushed. The Trax’s engine stop-start system is also something that takes some getting used to; it’s a shuddery, intrusive-feeling system. It can, however, be turned off easily via a button.

On the plus side, the Trax has a nicely tuned ride that makes for good composure over bumps, and it’s among the most maneuverable in its class, making it easy to park in tight spots. As a city dweller, I appreciated the Trax’s ability to capably manage narrow, pothole-filled streets.

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While the Trax’s lack of AWD might disappoint some shoppers, it can be a benefit when it comes to fuel economy; AWD systems add weight and reduce efficiency. The flex-fuel-capable 2026 Trax earns an EPA-rated 28/32/30 mpg city/highway/combined, and that tracks: During 400-plus miles of mostly highway driving, the Trax averaged 30.2 mpg.

Competitors come in slightly above or below the Trax: The FWD HR-V has an EPA rating of 28 mpg combined, while the front-drive-only Venue is rated 31 mpg combined, as is the front-drive Seltos when equipped with its base engine.

What Features Does the 2026 Chevrolet Trax Have?

• Takeaway: The Trax comes well equipped with standard conveniences, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote keyless entry and Wi-Fi hot-spot capability; premium goodies are available, including a heated steering wheel and remote start.

The Trax’s personality comes more from its cabin than its road manners thanks to an interesting design and colorful materials. I tested an uplevel Activ trim level, and its faux-metal dash paneling, yellow seat piping and contrast stitching really popped, making it unique in a class awash with bland interiors.

The Trax doesn’t skimp on features, either. Notable standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, remote keyless entry and Wi-Fi hot-spot capability. Special note: Unlike some new GM vehicles, the Trax still has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

My Activ trim came with a larger 11-inch infotainment touchscreen that was vibrant, responsive and seamless to use; wireless Android Auto reconnected every time without incident. My Trax Activ also featured some much-appreciated cold-weather niceties, including remote start, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

In addition, every Trax is loaded with standard safety systems, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and a rear-seat reminder.

How Big Is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?

• Takeaway: While the Trax is a subcompact vehicle, it has more passenger and cargo room than you might expect — but rear-facing car seats do not fit well.

The Trax is a subcompact, but don’t count out its backseat or cargo area. When it comes to both passenger and cargo accommodations, it’s roomier than it looks.

In the front seat, I had a comfortable amount of headroom and legroom for my 5-foot-6-inch self, and small-items storage is good thanks to several cubbies peppered throughout the cabin. One highlight is the Trax’s large, deep center console box.

Backseat legroom is fine for someone my size, but taller folks might feel pinched in terms of headroom, which is cut into by the sloping roofline. It’s not the most hospitable place for car seats, either: Two forward-facing car seats fit fine, but I struggled to connect them due to buried lower anchors. I also installed a rear-facing car seat, which meant moving the front passenger seat forward and taking up a lot of legroom. My twins are in low-back booster seats, and they fit just fine. Check out the full Car Seat Check.

Behind the rear seats, the Trax has 25.6 cubic feet of space, according to Chevrolet. That’s more than the HR-V (24.4) and Venue (18.7) but slightly less than the Seltos (26.6), according to manufacturer measurements. During my test, I packed the Trax with groceries and gift bags, and it accommodated a lot of them. What’s more, its wide, low floor and big cargo opening made loading easy. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split for more space if needed.

How Much Does the 2026 Chevrolet Trax Cost?

• Takeaway: The 2026 Trax is priced competitively, starting at $23,495 (including destination), and it’s routinely near the top of Cars.com’s most affordable car list.

For 2026, the Trax starts at a reasonable $23,495. This car is routinely near the top of Cars.com’s most affordable car list, but — like everything else — cars continue to get more expensive. That’s true for the Trax, too; its base price is up compared with the 2025 version. Despite the jump, the Trax is still an excellent value because you get a lot of features for your money.

With the demise of affordable small cars like the Kia Soul and Nissan Versa, the subcompact class is shrinking as automakers look for more profits from bigger vehicles in a market affected by tariffs. This makes the Trax all the more relevant for small-car shoppers.

I may not be able to help you navigate rising housing or grocery costs, but I can point you in the right direction when it comes to car shopping: Small-car shoppers on a budget who are looking for something with a little personality and a lot of value should check out the 2026 Chevrolet Trax.

Read More Chevrolet News From Cars.com:

• How Much Is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?
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• Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

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