2020 Chevrolet Trax

"Excellent outward visibility, plentiful standard infotainment features, capable enough handling." - Car and Driver

Offered in 3 different configurations – LS LT, and Premier - all the trims are further split into two different drivetrains – FWD and AWD. With a difference of $1,500 between the two drivetrains, the subcompact crossover starts at $21,200 for the FWD. It introduces a modest list of features as standard. Further up the trim, you’d find better-equipped packages, but you could always buy from packages to equip your Trax with certain features. The highest trim, Premier, costs $27,500 and is feature-rich. A 1.4L engine with a 4-cylinders mated to 6-speed automatic transmission powers the entire lineup.

Trim	LS	LT	Premier
MSRP (FWD)	$21,200	$23,100	$27,500
MSRP (AWD)	$22,700	$24,600	$29,000
Key Features	16” steel wheels	16” aluminum wheels	18” aluminum wheels
	7” MyLink Infotainment system with a 6-speaker sound system	7” MyLink Infotainment system with 6 speaker sound system	7” MyLink Infotainment system with 7 speaker Bose sound system
	Driver Seat: 4-way manual	Driver Seat: 4-way manual	Driver Seat: 6-way manual
	Mirrors: Power-adjustable, manual-folding, body color with Black base	Mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, manual-folding, body-color	Mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, manual-folding, body-color
		SiriusXM Satellite Radio All Access Package with a 3-month trial subscription	SiriusXM Satellite Radio All Access Package with a 3-month trial subscription
			Foglamps

We recommend

Choosing the LT trim is the wisest option for it offers almost all the features and technology of the top trim but at a lesser cost. It is a sweet deal for it bridges the gap between the top and base configurations. Offered at an MSRP of $23,100 for the FWD and at $24,600 for the AWD.

Other than confined city driving, which can be a bit challenging given the Tahoe's size, we found most driving situations to be quite comfortable and free of drama. -Autotrader

Engine and Transmission of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Under the hood, propelling the front wheels of the 2020 Trax sits a turbocharged 1.4L with 4-cylinders mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Wait, what turbocharged? Like most similarly sized crossovers in this segment, sluggish and lazy gear shifts, galling noise, and uninspiring engine performance make up the SUV’s frail powertrain. There’s nothing much left to write about the feeble machine under the Trax.

In this segment, the mightiest crossover is the Jeep Compass Sport, with a 2.4L I-4 spurting 180 horses. The Trax holds the lowest powertrain joined by the Buick Encore.Both the siblings from General Motors get identical engine specifications and are configured to deliver only 138 HP and 148 Lbs-ft of torque.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
MSRP	21,300	$20,520	$23,200	$21,859
Engine	1.4 Liter Inline-4	1.8 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0 Liter Boxer-4
Transmission	6-speed automatic	CVT with Overdrive	6-speed automatic transmission	5-speed manual transmission
Horsepower	138 hp @ 4900 RPM	141 hp @6500 RPM	138 hp @ 4900 RPM	152 hp @ 6000 RPM
Torque	148 lb.-ft. @1850 RPM	127 lb. ft. @ 4300 RPM	148 lb. ft. @ 1850 RPM	145 lb. ft. @ 4000 RPM

In comparison with the competition that is considered and this review, we have the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek equipped with a 2.0L 5-speed manual transmission that is capable of delivering 152 HP and 145 lb-ft of torque. It is followed by the 2020 Honda HR-V, 10 HP away. This leaves the General Motors siblings in the last position.

Acceleration of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Painstaking flat power delivery in the light-duty drives the front wheels of the Trax from naught to 60 mph in 9.3s. The quarter-mile drag sprint is done leisurely and completed in 16.8s. In the segment of a mix of underperforming motors across the field, the 2020 Chevy Trax offers the same. In fact, even lower than its competition in terms of power output and acceleration.

The 2020 Chevy Trax lacks the juice that is otherwise required from a compact SUV such as itself. This will be clearly evident on a highway, where one might want to cruise at high speeds or pick up the pace from normal, but to our utter dismay, the 1.4L engine of the 2020 Trax fails to deliver.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
0-60 MPH (sec)	9.3	9.3	8.4	9.0
Quarter mile (sec)	16.8	16.8	16.2	16.9
Engine	1.4-L I-4	1.8-L I-4	1.4-L I-4	2.0-L H-4
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3	6.3*	6.3	7.0

Compared to its competition, the most power-packed  2020 Buick Encore gets a 0-60 mph timing of 9.3 seconds. The 2020 Honda HR-V records the same timing, They even rank together in terms of the quarter-mile dash, clocking it at 16.8 seconds. The quickest SUV here is the 8.4 sec to go to 60 mph, by the 2020 Buick Encore. The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek records the same in 9.0 seconds.

Ride and Handling of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax is nimble with responsive, light, and quick steering input. Body roll is controlled at a certain speed and bumps are easily absorbed. Driving around the city is quite easy for this light-duty SUV, thanks to its short turning radius and agility. Driving the SUV inspires no fun, staying as mundane as its powertrain is.

Compared to other SUV’S in the segment, the ride quality is sub-standard. Its handling borderlines mediocrity, while remaining predictable. At high speeds, the crossover feels unsure and underpowered, especially at high speeds.

Braking of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Well well Trax, there’s one place in your mechanics that works better than most of the crossovers in the segment. Along with good modulation and firmness with a good pedal feel, the rear-disc brakes with front-drum decelerate the 2800 pound heavy crossover with ease.

Equipped with a set of 11.8-inch rotors for the front wheels and a set of 9.0-inch rotors for the rear wheels. These brakes are capable of decelerating the 3124 lbs body of the Trx and brings it to a standstill in ease.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Brake Front (in.)	11.8	11.5	11.8	11.6
Brake Rear (in.)	9.0	11.1	10.6	10.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3124	2906	3237	3117
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

In comparison, the Trax is the second heaviest, followed by the 2020 Buick Encore. At 3117 lbs the Subaru Crosstrek is the third heaviest and is followed by the 2906 lbs Honda HR-V. It is the lightest vehicle that is equipped with the largest brakes. The Honda measures a set of 11.5-inch front rotors and a set of 11.1-inch rotors for the rear. 

"There's not much variation among the Trax's competitive set in terms of fuel economy, both by the EPA's standards and in our real-world testing." - Car and Driver

Fueling the Trax to drive 31 miles per gallon on the highway with a combined figure of 28 mpg is quite an average task by the powertrain. While these figures may seem impressive at first glance, when compared to its rivals, they fall short. It further records a city gas mileage of 26 Miles to a gallon. 

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
MPG (city)	26	28	25	22
MPG (highway)	31	34	30	29
MPG (combined)	28	30	27	25

 The segment leader, Honda’s HR-V impresses with quite an efficient powertrain while the Chevy Trax follows suit. The 2020 Buick Encore ranks in at third position with an EPA rating of 25 miles to a gallon for city drives, 30 miles to a gallon for highway drives. And a combined reading of 27 miles to a gallon. The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek records a gas mileage of 22/29/25 for city/highway/combined, this is the least available in class.   

“A smart interior layout makes the most of the Trax's relatively small — but still competitive for the segment — interior space. Visibility is good, the controls are straightforward, and getting in and out is pretty easy.” -edmunds

Seating and Comfort of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Ability to seat 5 passengers inside, the cabin space in the Trax is ample and spacious for the segment. However, the legroom for both the front and rear seats is a bit compromised due to the SUV’s small design. The seats in themselves are quite comfortable covered with cloth upholstery. The headroom, on the other hand, is ample on both rows.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/54.1/40.8	39.5/56.8/41.2	39.6/54.2/40.8	39.8/56.7/43.1
Rear(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.8/52.8/35.7	38.3/54.5/39.3	38.8/52.5/35.8	38.0/55.6/36.5

Aesthetically, the cabin is modest at best with plastic touch and feel alongside cheap materials and quality in places. Apparently, noise isolation is less of a concern for the American manufacturer; imagine driving comfortably sans the cabin around you. Visibility is commendable thanks to the position of the raised seats.

Infotainment System of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet’s MyLink 7” touch screen infotainment system sits on the center console. An intuitive system with a user-friendly interface otherwise fails to impress in its physical controls which are plastic in material and have redundant use for some functions.

MyLink’s touch screen looks good but delays in responsiveness make it less appealing. Fortunately, the Trax features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which comes optional even on some of the most high-end cars with premium features. Some standard features include –

• 6-speaker audio system
• 2 USB ports
• OnStar Communications with 4G connections and Wi-fi hot spot
• 7” Infotainment System

Cargo Volume of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Offering 18.7 cubic feet with unfolded seats is quite a decent task for the Trax. With the rear seats folded it can offer as much as 48.4 cubic feet. This offering might just be enough for the people it can accommodate.

The compact crossover is evened by the Buick Encore but is bettered by the rest. Surprisingly, the segment leader, Honda HR-V, has the lowest of the lot at 12.4 cubic feet.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	18.7	24.3	18.8	20.8
Cargo Volume with Rear seats folded (ft.3)	48.4	58.8	48.4	55.3

Coming to the rear seats when folded, you’ll find 48.4 cubic feet available on the Chevrolet Trax, standing along the top of the segment. However, the Honda HR-V offers the best practicality along the segment in both instances.

“The dowdy 2020 Chevrolet Trax doesn’t say much about its driver.” -The Car Connection

Designs and Dimensions of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Rolling over 16” steel wheels, the Trax has a compact, conservative design. Headed by chrome-accented dual-element grille flanked by Halogen headlights, the SUV sits 6.2” above the ground and measures 100” in its total wheelbase. Weighing 3124 pounds, the crossover blends itself amongst its diverse compact rivals, sitting on the lightest spectrum.

The design philosophy of the Chevrolet Trax is very simple to understand – not overdone but simply curved and molded with a dash of – ‘this will do’ – mindset. A rear lip spoiler rests above the windowpane, while the same hard plastic design found in the front is twinned in the back.

Models	2020 Chevrolet Trax	2020 Honda HR-V	2020 Buick Encore	2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3124	2906	3237	3117
Length(in)	167.2	170.4	168.4	175.8
Width(in)	69.9	69.8	70.1	71
Height(in)	64.9	63.2	65.2	63.6
Ground clearance (in)	6.2	7.3	6.2	8.7
Wheelbase (in)	100.6	102.8	100.6	104.9
Track width (in) F/R	60.6/60.6	60.4/60.6	60/59.5	60.6/60.6

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax has the most compact body design, with a length of only 167.2-inches, a width of 69.9-inches a height of 64.9-inches. It also measures the shortest ground clearance and the shortest wheelbase. On the other hand, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek records the largest dimensions. 

Exterior Features of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Some of the features include in the Trax LS trim are –

• Body-color door handles
• 16” steel wheels
• Halogen reflector headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control

"The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 Trax the highest rating of Good in five crash tests, and the second-highest rating of Acceptable in the passenger-side small overlap front test." - Cars.USnews

Safety ratings of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

In order to check the safety rating of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax, we had to dig into the records of the federal authorities. On detailed inspection, we learn that the 2020 Trax gets a perfect 5/5 star rating from NHTSA. It scores this phenomenal 5/5 star rating in the aspects of Overall safety, frontal safety crash tests, and side safety crash test. However, in the aspect of rollover safety tests, it scores a 4/5 star rating. Even as per the IIHS, the 2020 Trax gets a "Good" grade in almost all the aspects, except for the aspects of the Small overlap front: driver side, and Latch: ease of use.

Safety features of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax

The compact SUV offers a scarce list of standard features found in other rivals in this segment. Some standard features included in the Trax are –

• 10 airbags - 2 Frontal and knee for driver and front passenger
• Seat-mounted side-impact and roof rail-mounted for front and rear outboard seating positions
• Passenger Sensing System
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) for child safety seats
• OnStar Safety & Security Plan with 1-month coverage, including Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, and more

2020 Chevrolet Trax vs 2020 Honda HR-V

With an efficient powertrain together with a spacious interior and large boot space, the HR-V is otherwise a tad similar to the Chevrolet Trax. But driving dynamics are ahead in the Japanese SUV and so is a feature available in the base model. Priced similarly, the competition is stiff, however, due to Honda’s practicality, it makes the better buy here.

2020 Chevrolet Trax vs the 2020 Buick Encore

In comparison with the 2020 Buick Encore that comes with identical engine specifications, better acceleration timing, and is equipped with larger brakes, it is quite clear that the Buick outperforms the 2020 Trax. With regard to fuel efficiency, the Chevy Trax is a tad bit ahead. However, in the aspect of the interiors, the cargo and passenger dimensions offered are extremely similar. Coming to the features and luxuries the Buick would be our option and we would recommend the same over the Chevy.

2020 Chevrolet Trax vs the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek

Up against the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, the cherry fails to deliver in terms of performance as it comes with a lower-powered engine that certainly reflects even on the acceleration timing and is also carried forward in terms of brake performance. Overall it is the Subaru that is a better performer. The Chevy flaunts a better fuel efficiency as it comes with a lower engine displacement and is quite close to the Subaru in terms of interior dimensions, both for passenger and cargo room.

What exactly does the 2020 Chevy Trax offer? It has great boot space, good handling, decent fuel efficiency, and a spacious interior along with comfortable seats. Nonetheless, its powertrain is mediocre at best, and the features list alongside safety equipment are disappointing. If you truly want something out of this compact crossover, you’d have to spend a few more bucks and get higher trims or additional packages. Considering other rivals, however, is a safer bet if Chevrolet Trax does come under your radar.