In contrast, the 2024 Trax looks quite pleasant. Not just pleasant compared to the last one, pleasant overall. In fact, it looks a lot like the current Chevrolet Blazer. The headlamps feature a split design with thin daytime running lights, yet their design works reasonably well. Along the side, strong haunches offer interesting surfacing, although the rear end is a bit strange. The hatch finishing seems a bit basic and I’m not a fan of the faux vents on RS models, but nothing out back is truly offensive.
On the inside, things are obviously built to a budget, but Chevrolet’s done a fairly good job for the price. There are proper knobs to control things, the available 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system is massive, and the air vents really do look quite nice. Some of the interior plastics look like they could be a bit hard, but do you know what? I’m okay with cheaper plastics on a cheap car, so long as the vehicle seems comfortable and cheerful. Chevrolet seems to have the cheerful bit down here, offering exactly the sort of stuff entry-level buyers really want. Job well done, I reckon.
Power for the new Trax comes exclusively from a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. There’s not a lot of it on tap, just 127 horsepower, but torque seems very alright at a stout 162 lb.-ft. All-wheel-drive isn’t an option, so this little crossover will exclusively spin the front tires. Let’s face it, unless you live in Alaska, you don’t really need all-wheel-drive so long as you have a good set of winter tires. Best of all, there’s no CVT monotony here, just a conventional six-speed automatic.
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,495 for the base LS model, while the range-topping 2RS and Activ trims both sticker for $24,995. That’s not even silly money, it’s about where something this size should cost. The LT trim at $23,395 is likely the best value in the range as it comes with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, rear seat USB ports, wireless phone charging, and push-button ignition. That’s a lot of kit for that sort of money. Best of all, every price I’ve mentioned includes an unspecified freight charge, so just add tax, title, and go.
Expect the new Trax to go on sale in the spring of 2023, not a particularly long wait at all. While fast, expensive cars are quite exciting, cheap stuff like this gets me equally excited. It’s incredibly difficult to build a cheap car these days, so to design one that looks pretty good, offers tons of options, and doesn’t cost a small fortune is wickedly impressive stuff. Dare I say it, I’m more excited to see these on the road than I am for the Corvette Z06. [Ed note: Wait, really? I am more excited to see the Z06. – MH] The “Minus two” sizing plan works well when you are going from 17” –> 15” or 16” –>14”. As OEM wheel sizes continue to grow way beyond what is rational, to absurdity: As I grow older, I am less likely to go to the effort to swap on a set of winter tires when the wheel/tire combo becomes heavier; noting that for the last 31 years I’ve had a two-post asymmetric lift in my garage. I drove my 2000 Honda Civic CX FWD with all-seasons in NE Ohio, 2004-2012, and never had a traction problem. Swapping a set of four winter tires onto our two DDs was just additional insurance when my wife and I were still working and needed to get to work on time. Now that we are both retired, I’m inclined to ask, why bother? We can usually wait for the snowplows, and FWD with carefully chosen “all-season” tires is Just Fine. Rental lots will be packed with these things. Businesses that need a stable of cheap cars to get employees from A to B will buy them by the dozen. Saving even $1500 per vehicle adds up quickly when you have to get a bunch of them all at once. Other fleets though for sure – government (if they don’t have some kind of electrification requirement) or otherwise.
