Overview
The 2020 Chevy Trax is a no-nonsense offering in the subcompact crossover category. While it has several notable weaknesses, including an unimpressive cabin quality, dull driving experience, and an unpleasant ride, this mini SUV has a compact wheelbase and versatile cabin, making it perfectly compatible with city driving. It has a considerable number of amenities as standard. It receives high marks for anticipated dependability and fuel efficiency, and its optional AWD gives it an edge in capability.
Interior
The Chevy Trax’s cabin seems airy and large because of its elevated sitting position and vast headroom, but it offers less rear-seat space and cargo capacity than most of its competitors. Moreover, the front seats are also a touch slight, and the cushions are a bit firm.
The Chevy Trax includes a well-integrated, user-friendly touchscreen positioned at the top of the dashboard as standard. Some embroidered dashboard inlays contribute to a more sophisticated appearance. However, as you move down the center stack, you’ll see cheap-feeling temperature controls and low-quality plastics around the shifter and centre console.
Cargo Space
The cargo space of the 2020 Chevy Trax is on the modest side for its class. It offers 18.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind its rear seats, which can be expanded to 48.4 cubic feet when the 60/40 split second-row seats are folded down.
Safety
The Trax obtains a five-star overall safety rating (out of five stars) from the NHTSA thanks to its ten airbags.
The IIHS gives it top Good crash safety ratings throughout categories, except for one ‘Adequate’ grade in front passenger-side testing.
Standard driver assistance features:
- Rearview camera
Available driver assistance features:
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
Trims and which one should you choose
| Trim | Original MSRP |
| LS | $22,295 |
| LT | $24,195 |
| Premier | $28,595 |
The standard Trax LS comes with a good amount of infotainment features. Still, upgrading to the LT trim is worthwhile as it unlocks benefits like satellite radio, cruise control, and remote start.
The 2020 Chevrolet Trax was also available with several optional packages, including the Driver Confidence package (rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert) and the LT Convenience package (push-button start, keyless entry, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat). All-wheel drive was available at an extra cost of $1500.
Some LT models can also be equipped with a Bose stereo system and a sunroof. However, features, including the forward collision warning and heated front seats, were exclusive to the top Premier model.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2020 Chevy Trax has average fuel efficiency for the class. The front-wheel drive model receives an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the town, while the figures extend up to 31 mpg on the highway. Models with all-wheel drive earn 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Entertainment
The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes standard on all Trax models appears basic but works effectively.
- Standard infotainment features: Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hot spot, voice recognition, two USB ports, and a six-speaker stereo
- Available infotainment features: A seven-speaker Bose premium stereo and satellite radio
- Other standard features: A 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster
- Other available features: Keyless entry, cruise control, a household-style power outlet, push-button start, remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a sunroof
Engine and Capability
The 2020 Chevrolet Trax is driven by a 138 hp 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a slightly underpowered motor for this category, and it’s neither smooth nor refined.
The motor provides adequate low-end torque around town; however, as soon as you step on the pedal for a quick overtake, the engine runs out of breath, making more noise than speed.
The six-speed auto gearbox is adequate, although it sometimes makes slow shifts and is unwilling to downshift.
Nonetheless, the Trax has a sturdy ride and reliable handling, and its fast steering makes it nimble in traffic conditions. Despite the Trax’s towering height, it leans less around corners than you might anticipate. However, it doesn’t handle as sharply and eagerly as rivals like the CX-3 and the Soul. The Trax’s brakes are among the most powerful in its class, and the pedal feels solid and confident.
Reliability
The 2020 Chevrolet Trax has a projected dependability score of 85 out of 100. A J.D. Power launched dependability score of 91-100 is regarded as the best, 81-90 is considered significant, 70-80 is rated acceptable, while 0-69 is considered acceptable and below average.
Final Thoughts on 2020 Chevy Trax
The Chevrolet Trax competes in a hotly contested segment, with rival manufacturers vying for advantages to attain subcompact crossover dominance.
What advantages does the Trax have? It’s the wheelbase or lack of one. The distance between the axles is 100.6 inches, while the entire length is 167.2 inches. These make it simple to park and navigate into traffic gaps. Meanwhile, its interior appears to be larger than its measurements would imply. The front passenger seat and the second row of the Trax all fold flat, allowing long items to fit inside. Numerous compartments provide convenient storage of ordinary carry goods, adding to the practicality. In addition, Chevrolet equips the Trax with ten airbags, which helps it achieve high crash safety ratings.
What does the Trax have going for it? It’s not fast, and the acceleration supplied by its little four-cylinder engine is painfully sluggish. On the mid-range model, you saw poor interior quality, a mishmash of materials, and noticeable panel gaps. The entry-level Trax is rather basic, without cruise control and projector-beam headlights.
Altogether, if you are someone looking for a simple, reliable, easy-to-drive car around town, the 2020 Chevy Trax might be suitable for you.
