2025 Chevrolet Trax: A Smart Choice for Budget-Conscious Buyers
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax builds on its 2024 overhaul to offer an impressive package in the subcompact SUV segment. With a base price of $21,495, the Trax balances affordability with a satisfying driving experience, cutting-edge technology, and surprising practicality. Let’s take an in-depth look at what the 2025 Trax brings to the table.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Sharp, attractive design
- Surprisingly practical
- Fun to drive
- Good fuel efficiency
Cons:
- No four-wheel-drive option
- No engine upgrades available
- Hard armrests
What’s New for 2025?
For 2025, the Chevrolet Trax adds Flex Fuel capability to its 1.2-liter turbocharged engine, allowing it to run on E85 ethanol. Additionally, two new exterior colors, Marina Blue Metallic and Cypress Gray, have been introduced. Other than these changes, the 2025 Trax remains largely the same as the 2024 model year, which marked the introduction of its new generation.
Interior & Technology
The Trax’s interior is a mix of hard plastics and rubber surfaces, which keeps costs down but can be uncomfortable for elbows. Despite this, the dashboard design is visually appealing, drawing inspiration from the Camaro. The cabin layout prioritizes functionality with features such as a large phone bin (wireless charging available on higher trims), substantial cupholders, a spacious armrest bin, and generous door pockets.
Technologically, the Trax features GM’s stripped-down Android-based infotainment system, available in 8- and 11-inch sizes, providing essential functions like radio control, trip information, and vehicle settings. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add to the user-friendly tech setup. Higher trims offer a digital instrument panel that, while lacking extensive customization, is easy to read.
Space & Practicality
Despite being a subcompact SUV, the Chevrolet Trax is larger than many of its competitors. It measures about half a foot longer than the Kia Seltos and nearly three inches more than the Volkswagen Taos, giving it a sleek, sporty appearance without compromising on space. The interior is spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, thanks to ample legroom and headroom.
The Trax’s cargo space is slightly less impressive than its paper specs suggest (25.6 cubic feet), but it’s still functional and practical for everyday use. Comparatively, it aligns well with the cargo capacities of competitors like the Buick Envista, Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, and Volkswagen Taos.
Performance & Fuel Economy
Under the hood, every Trax is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup drives only the front wheels, as the Trax has no all-wheel-drive option. Despite its modest engine size, the Trax feels adequately powered thanks to its early torque delivery, making city driving and highway merging seamless.
Fuel economy stands at a respectable 28 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. However, if you opt for E85 fuel, expect mileage to drop to 21/24/22 mpg. In mixed driving conditions, our tests returned around 27.4 mpg on regular gasoline.
Driving Experience
The Chevrolet Trax offers a refined driving experience, with responsive steering and a suspension system capable of handling various road conditions comfortably. It is sportier than expected for its segment, although the ride might feel firm, especially with the 19-inch wheels. Potential buyers should test drive it on varied terrains to see if the comfort level meets expectations. If the ride is too firm, the smaller-wheeled versions or the Buick Envista, which has softer springs, might be better options.
Pricing & Manufacturing
Built in Korea, the Trax is competitively priced, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Here’s the breakdown of pricing across different trims, all of which include a $1,095 delivery charge:
- LS: $21,495
- 1RS: $23,395
- LT: $23,595
- 2RS: $25,395
- Activ: $25,395
Each trim brings its own style, with the LS and LT offering more traditional looks, while the 1RS, 2RS, and Activ trims lean towards sportier aesthetics.
Safety & Driver Assistance
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax comes with a suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The optional Driver Confidence package adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors. As of now, the new Trax has not undergone third-party crash testing.
Conclusion
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax remains an excellent choice for new car buyers looking for an affordable, stylish, and practical subcompact SUV. While it does come with some compromises, the overall package offers significant value for the price. The well-balanced performance, user-friendly technology, and spacious interior make it a standout in its class.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
