Used Cars in New Jersey

2018 Chevy Trax Buyer’s Guide

2018 Chevrolet Trax General Overview

The Chevrolet Trax’s understated design will win over more reserved shoppers who would rather not call attention to themselves in traffic. The Trax is pleasant to ride in and easy to maneuver, but it is the thrill of its turbocharged engine that gets the blood pumping. The Trax is redeemed by an extensive list of included features, that incorporates touchscreen infotainment and onboard Wi-Fi, and this accounts for most of its attractiveness.

For 2018, Chevrolet added the Redline Edition look package to the Trax, which includes black exterior trim, black 18-inch wheels with red lines, and black leatherette and cloth seating surfaces. Premier models now have sunroofs and front collision and lane departure alert as standard equipment. There are now three distinct paint options, including the premium Cajun Red Tintcoat and the standard Storm Blue Metallic and Sandy Ridge Metallic.

The Trax comes with a single-engine option. The 138 horsepower is produced by the turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. The turbocharger on the engine delivers a respectable amount of low-end punch while driving about town. The smoothness of the six-speed automatic transmission is sufficient, and it efficiently shifts gears. In addition to having an efficient powertrain, the Chevrolet Trax drives quite well. It has balanced handling and a very pleasant ride.

The Chevrolet Trax has the excellent body control and a pleasingly hard ride. This gives the vehicle a sense of solidity, and its fast steering makes it nimble in parking lots and other urban environments. Even though the Trax’s handling isn’t as quick and eager as many of its rivals, there is far less body roll in corners than you would anticipate given the vehicle’s large size.

2018 Chevrolet Trax Trims & Pricing

TrimsOriginally MSRP
LS$21,995
LT$23,895
Premier$28,295

Exterior

Dimensions (in inch)

Length100.6
Width167.6
Height69.9
Wheelbase64.8(without roof rails)
65.9(with rails)
Track60.6(front)
60.6(rear)

Styling

The 2018 Trax has two rows of seating, each of which may accommodate five passengers. Drivers and passengers of a higher stature have plenty of room to move their heads and legs in the front seats.

Additionally, the backs of the chairs are supportive, which ensures that even on extended trips, you will not have discomfort. The only real issue with the back seat is that there isn’t quite enough room for two adult heads, but other than that, it shouldn’t be too tough to get them both in there. The upholstery is made of high-quality fabric and faux leather.

The driver’s seat has electrically operated adjustments that may be made in a total of six different ways. The steering wheel is covered in leather all the way around, and the front seats have heating for added comfort. The Premier comes equipped with wheels 18 inches in diameter as standard.

The new 2018 Chevrolet Trax not only has an improved interior, but it also has greater passenger space, a more refined exterior, improved fuel economy, and enhanced overall performance. It is unquestionably more inviting than the design of its predecessor, the Trax, which may have taken its function as a small SUV a little too seriously due to its too-serious approach to its design.

Interior

Dimensions

InteriorDimensions (in inches)
Headroom39.6(front)
38.8(rear)
Legroom40.8(front)
35.7(rear)
Shoulder room54.1(front)
52.5(rear)
His room51.7(front)
50.1(rear)

Quality, Space, and Comfort

The Trax has the most internal capacity in its segment, which is one of the reasons it is so popular with families with children who are still growing up.

There is room for up to four more passengers in the Trax if you want to sit in the captain’s chairs.

Despite its height, every row can be entered and exited with ease, and the seats, in addition to being quite comfortable, are also very spacious. Once you’ve reached your destination, a steering wheel that can tilt and telescopically extend, in addition to many seat adjustments, will offer you a dominating driving posture.

Even though the Trax’s cabin is kept in the same pristine condition as that of its rivals, it stands out because of its well-considered layout, user-friendly controls, and aesthetically pleasing finishes. In addition, the most expensive trim level is completely loaded with an active safety system in addition to other amenities.

Cargo Space

The Trax has a cargo capacity of 18.7 cubic feet behind the back seats and 48.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down, making it one of the greatest cargo transporters in its category.

When all of its seats are folded down, the Chevrolet Trax outperforms every other vehicle in its class when it comes to transporting stuff since it has more room than any of its rivals.

Entertainment

The primary touchscreen for the information and entertainment system comes in the more common size of 7 inches. Both are intuitive to use and have colorful visuals, much like a mobile device with a larger screen. In addition, the normal functionality of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are made available to users.

Standard tasks such as altering the volume and audio tracks may be performed using either the touch screen or the physical controls that are accessible. The speed of the fan may be changed using the smaller controls that regulate the temperature.

Because it comes standard with a Wi-Fi connection, an enhanced sound system, and intuitive voice commands, the Chevrolet Trax has an advantage over other SUVs in its class that compete with it. The display for the navigational functions is both comprehensive and simple to read. and the Trax’s interior is equipped with intelligently placed USB connections.

Features & Specs

The LS, the LT, and the Premier are the three available trim levels for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax.  The standard infotainment features of the base model are impressive, including a touch screen, smartphone connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. These amenities are all included as standard equipment.

The LT trim level is where you’ll find options like cruise control, satellite radio, and a remote start. If you want conveniences such as blind spot monitoring, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, or a sunroof, you’ll have to look at other LT models because these options are only available in certain of the various configurations of the vehicle. All of these features are included at no additional cost in the most expensive Premier trim level, which is also the only model available with amenities like as heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and forward collision warning.

Chevrolet Trax LS

The 2018 Chevrolet Trax LS comes standard with leather upholstery, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Other standard features include a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot, a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot.

Chevrolet Trax LT

It comes standard with premium cloth upholstery, alloy wheels, satellite radio, a power outlet that can handle 110 volts, remote start, and cruise control. Additionally, this trim level features an upgraded audio system. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear parking sensors are included in the Driver Confidence package, which is available on select models. Models that have the Convenience package installed come standard with synthetic leather seat trim, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity keyless entry, and a push-button start. Additionally, the Convenience package is available as an option. Trax LT cars that feature the Sun and Sound package include a Bose audio that has seven speakers in addition to a sunroof.

Chevrolet Trax Premier

This comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sunroof, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, a seven-speaker Bose audio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Other available options include heated rear seats.

What’s the best Trim Option on the 2018 Chevy Trax?

All models come standard with a 1.4-liter inline-4 engine with 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, front-wheel drive, and a six-speed automated transmission.

It’s important to consider which models give the best value because higher trims cost much more but also come with amenities not seen in lesser ones.

We advise going with either the LT Cloth or the LT Leather since they provide the highest level of standard equipment at a cost that is still manageable. In addition, the Trax’s lowest trim levels are the only ones that come with a selection of the available driver aid systems.

After you have chosen at least an LT Cloth trim level, we strongly recommend adding these two options: the Convenience and Driver confidence package.

If you have the budget for it, the Premier trim level of the Trax is going to be your best option. It features a wide variety of convenient amenities. Both of these higher-end packages come included with all of the active safety features that are either unavailable or cost extra on the base models.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, I recommend sticking with the L and LS trim levels.

There are a good amount of characteristics on display here. Be aware, however, that neither of these base versions comes with any active safety measures that may be purchased separately.

Engine and performance

1.4-liter Inline 4

  • Power: 138 hp @4,900 rpm
  • Torque: 148 lb-ft @1,850 rpm
  • Transmission: 6-speed automatic 
  • Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive

The Chevrolet Trax is equipped with a good 1.4-liter Inline-4 cylinder engine that is capable of producing 138 horsepower. The powertrain is linked to the six-speed automatic transmission. The power provided by the engine in the Trax is adequate for the vast majority of situations that may arise while driving. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking your family on a vacation, commuting to work, or dropping off your kids at school; the Chevrolet Trax is an exceptionally comfortable car in all of those situations.

When you ask for acceleration, it provides you with an excellent amount of acceleration. A transmission with an extremely low profile is utilized. There is never the impression of continual gear shifting that we have observed in many other six-speeds, and I never saw a split-second of hesitation when a change in throttle position can force the gearbox to clunk into a gear it belatedly determined was best. This is something that we have experienced in a great number of other six-speeds.

Don’t expect your head to hit the headrest as you press the throttle, though. It is also a positive thing since it means that not many individuals will be driving their families all over the place in this SUV in an insane manner.

Because it is comfortable, quiet, and has sufficient space, the 2018 Chevrolet Trax is an excellent choice for families looking for a vehicle that can transport everyone in the group. In addition to this, it will normally move into a higher gear to improve its efficiency in terms of fuel consumption.

Ride and handling

When parking or maneuvering at a reasonable pace, the Chevy Trax provides a driving experience that is incredibly nimble and relaxed. However, when you accelerate swiftly in the Chevy, it has excellent handling; it is poised, even if it does not appear to be excessively sporty. Because of the system’s precision and the little steering effort, the SUV is simple to direct in the desired direction.

The Trax’s suspension strikes a nice mix of maneuverability and rides comfort, making it an enjoyable vehicle to drive. So, if you want a quiet, comfortable family car, you should put the Chevrolet Trax on your short list.

The ride quality is really good thanks to the tall sidewall tires and the flexible suspension that absorbs impacts. At freeway speeds, wind noise is minimal and comes mainly from the side mirrors, making the car’s interior eerily quiet.

Fuel Efficiency

In most cases, a smaller engine will result in better efficiency when it comes to fuel consumption. This is the case in this scenario since the Trax achieves an efficiency rating that is about equivalent to the class average.

Four-cylinder, FWD (Front Wheel Drive): EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy 25/33 mpg city/highway

Four-cylinder, AWD (All-wheel drive): EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy 24/30 mpg city/highway

Safety

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Safety Ratings

Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
Side Impact TestGood
Rear Crash ProtectionGood
Roof Strength TestGood
Small Overlap Front Driver TestGood
Small Overlap Front Passenger TestNot Rated
HeadlightsNot Rated
Front Crash PreventionNot Rated
Source

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Ratings

Overall Rating5 star
Frontal Crash5 star
Side Crash5 star
Rollover4 star

Source

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2018 Chevrolet Trax with a perfect score of five stars in all of the crash tests that it was evaluated for, including the frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. The Chevrolet Trax was awarded the highest possible rating of Good by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all five of the organization’s crash tests, and it was awarded the second-highest possible grade of Acceptable in the passenger-side small overlap test. Models that were outfitted with certain front collision avoidance systems were given the lowest possible score, which was Basic for how successful they were.

Advanced safety measures that are common:

  • Rear View Camera
  • Driver Airbag
  • Traction Control
  • Stability Control
  • Emergency & Security Services

Accessible cutting-edge safety features:

  • Warning of an Impending Crash
  • Caution for Lane Deviation
  • Rear Cross-traffic Warning
  • Blind Spot Monitoring
  • Rear Parking Sensors

Verdict

The 2018 Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover and has several advantages, including a pleasant drive, an adequate amount of room for passengers and baggage, and technology that is simple to operate. Even though it is not the most athletic vehicle, it is quite good at a wide variety of other jobs. When coupled with a reasonable base price, the Trax emerges as an appealing option for a large number of purchasers.

FAQ’s

Should you buy a 2018 Chevrolet Trax that’s been used?

One of your greatest alternatives if you’re searching for an SUV that’s great for family road trips is the Trax. Better still, it has a reasonable starting price, making it a decent bargain in the class. Both the six-speed automated transmission and the inline-4 engine perform admirably. The engine produces plenty of power, and the gearbox makes quick, transmission fluid changes.

Which Chevrolet Trax should you buy: a 2018 or 2019 model?

For model year 2019, Chevrolet didn’t make any big changes to the Trax. So, you might do better to look for a used car 2018 Chevrolet Trax instead of a new 2019 Trax. Chevy has made a few minor tweaks for 2020 Chevy Trax.

The 2018 Chevrolet Trax was made where?

Chevrolet makes a small SUV called the Trax. The 2018 Chevrolet Trax is produced in Mexico and South Korea by General Motors.

Does 2018 Chevy Trax have good gas mileage?

Yes, the 2018 Chevy Trax has excellent gas mileage. The front-wheel drive model gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the all-wheel drive model gets 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. These ratings are average for a small SUV in its class.

Which Is Better: 2018 Chevrolet Trax or 2018 Buick Encore?

It really depends on what you want out of a car. The 2018 Chevrolet Trax has more cargo space and a bigger back seat, and it gets better gas mileage than the 2018 Buick Encore. The 2018 Buick Encore, on the other hand, has better safety ratings, a smoother suspension, and more features inside than the Trax. In the end, it all comes down to what you want and need.