2018 Chevrolet Trax review
Chevrolet Trax highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Roomier and more versatile than it appears
- Plenty of features for the price
Cons
- Slow acceleration
- Choppy ride quality
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 30 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
The 2018 Chevrolet Trax surprises with more room than you expect
A subcompact SUV is a paradox. How can something less than “compact” offer much utility, or for that matter, even sport? The 2018 Chevrolet Trax may not be sporty, but its smartly designed interior maximizes a bite-size footprint with nearly 50 cubic feet of cargo space. The seats are also comfortable, it’s easy to park and maneuver in traffic, and good visibility helps you recognize larger vehicles and distracted drivers around you. The standard MyLink infotainment system, with its intuitive interface and features, helps you avoid joining the ranks of said distracted drivers.
The Trax has typically been one of the most affordable SUVs available, a pocket-sized city hopper at a bargain price. However, there are compromises, and the engine struggles to accelerate the Trax, especially with heavy cargo. The ride is unrefined and accompanied by a fair amount of road noise, and the mediocre interior materials and finish aren’t inspiring. If you can stretch your budget, the Mazda CX-3 (or more recent CX-30), Honda HR-V, or Jeep Renegade all deserve a look.
All Chevrolet Trax years
What is new for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax?
- Trax trims have been upgraded with Sunroof(s) and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment this year.
2018 Chevrolet Trax trims
LS:
- 138-hp, 148-lb-ft of torque 1.4L
- Rear Defroster
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- Alloy Wheels
LT:
- Includes all features available on the LS
- Cruise Control
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Chevrolet Trax LT inventory
Premier:
- Includes all features available on the LT
- Sunroofs
- Power Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leatherette Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Lane Departure Warning
- Smart Key
- View our Chevrolet Trax Premier inventory
Chevrolet Trax photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Chevrolet Trax
What We Like
Versatility: Given the Trax’s size, the cabin is surprisingly roomy. It offers more passenger space than its contemporary Honda and Mazda peers, and its foldable 60/40-split rear seats and flat-folding front passenger seat add versatility. With 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats when upright, the Trax has more luggage space than the Mazda CX-3 and a pinch more than the Jeep Renegade. Fold all the seats down and the Trax can hold up to 48 cubic feet of cargo, about the size of two washing machines. Not bad for a car that measures the same length as a Volkswagen Golf.
Comfort: Small cars demand sacrifices, but the Trax makes smart compromises. Its tall ride height and high roof make it easy to get in and out, and there’s adequate headroom and legroom, even for taller rear passengers. Soft seats are surprisingly comfortable even during long stints, aided by power adjustments for the driver’s side.
Value: The 2018 Trax packs a lot of features into its small shape. The base-model 2018 Trax LS comes standard with 16-inch wheels, keyless entry, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, and even a Wi-Fi hotspot.
What Needs Improvement
Performance: Even with tempered expectations for subcompact SUVs, the Trax falls short. With just 138 horsepower from the small four-cylinder engine, you’ll need patience while accelerating to highway speeds. Passing maneuvers also require some planning. Handling isn’t a strong point either, and buyers who want something more fun should look to the contemporary Mazda CX-3 or Ford EcoSport for more excitement behind the wheel.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Trax an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Chevrolet Trax 5th out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet TraxChevrolet Trax features and specs
LS 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Automatic Transmission
- Cloth Seats
- Power Seat(s)
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.4L
Horsepower
138
Torque (ft-lbs)
148
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
14
Wheelbase
100.6"
Overall length
167.2"
Width
69.9"
Height
64.9"
Leg room
F 40.8"/R 35.7"
Head room
F 39.6"/R 38.8"
Front tires
P205/70R16
Rear tires
P205/70R16
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Chevrolet Trax FAQ
The 2018 Chevrolet Trax is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- LS : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- LT : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Premier : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
The Chevrolet Trax received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Chevrolet Trax as 4 out of 8 among Subcompact SUV
The 2018 Chevrolet Trax has received an average 4.1 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Chevrolet Trax, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Chevrolet Trax Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax:
- Sunroof(s)
- Lane Departure Warning
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