The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Chevrolet since 2013. The car is based on the GM Gamma II platform, which is shared with the Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic, as well as the Opel Mokka/Buick Encore.

History

2012

The concept was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show,^[2][3] with the final model unveil having happened at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.^[4] It was then available for test driving at the 2013 Montreal Auto Show, with four essay models shown.

2013

During 2013 and early 2014, it was only sold in Canada, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates and Europe. It was also marketed as the Holden Trax in Australia, and as the Chevrolet Tracker in Russia and South America.

In Canada, the Trax was the first compact Chevrolet crossover SUV since the discontinuation of the Tracker (read below).^[1] The vehicle started shipping on April 2, however pre-sales began as early as the fourth quarter of 2012 for both Mexico (1.8L) and Canada (1.4L Turbo).^[2] Korean sales started at late February 2013.

2014

In late 2014, the Trax was marketed to more countries adding China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

2015

On April 15, 2014, Chevrolet announced that the Trax will come to the United States as a 2015 model, buoyed by the success of the Buick Encore (the Trax and Encore share the GM Gamma II platform) and possible competition from the Jeep Renegade.^[3] The US-market Trax is largely unchanged from the global version, but has some US-specific features including OnStar with AT&T 4G LTE and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The US version is powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 with {{convert|138|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} at 4,900 rpm and {{convert|148|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} at 1,850 rpm. Trailer towing is not recommended. Only the 6-speed automatic transmission is available.

Three trim levels, both available with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, are available: LS, LT and LTZ. Standard features on all trims include air conditioning; power windows; split-folding rear seat; tilting and telescoping steering-wheel; ABS; ESP; front, front and rear side, side-curtain airbags, and knee airbags; tire-pressure monitor; emergency communication system and parking assist.

2017 facelift

Chevrolet performed a mid-cycle update on the Trax for the 2017 model year, first unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show on February 12, 2016.^[4] The updated Trax carried Chevrolet's Corvette-inspired design cues from the Malibu and Volt, including new halogen projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, dual taillights and a new grille design. A set of 18-inch aluminum wheels are offered on the Premier model trim. The interior is also redesigned with a new dashboard and center instrument panel. Overall, the 2017 facelift improves the Trax's perceived quality.^[5] The 2017 Trax went on sale in the fall of 2016.^[6]

Name variations

Holden Trax (2013–present)

In Australia and the overall Oceania market, the Chevrolet Trax is offered under the Holden brand, as Holden is the Australian GM subsidiary.^[11] It went on sale in 2013.^[12]

Chevrolet Tracker

In Russia and South America^[13][14] it is being named Chevrolet Tracker, the name used in North and Latin America from 1989–1991 & 1999–2008 for a Chevrolet/Geo version of the Suzuki Sidekick. In Russian, the name "Trax" would be too closely related to the word trakh (Rus. трах), which is a colloquialism for copulation.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}

Engines

The Trax is offered in different markets with different choices of drivetrains. In Latin America the Trax is only available with the 1.8 liter gasoline engine. In Canada and the US, only the 1.4 liter turbocharged gasoline engine is offered. In Mexico and Australia (from 2015) it is available both in 1.8 liter and 1.4 liter turbocharged engines. European customers can choose between the 1.4 liter turbo gasoline engine, a 1.6 liter gasoline engine, and a 1.7 liter diesel engine.

Production

The Trax is being produced by both GM Korea and General Motors Mexico for most global markets. Shanghai GM will also be producing the model for the Chinese market from the 2015 model year onward. GM Uzbekistan will also be producing this model, starting from the end of 2018.

Marketing

The Trax is positioned below the compact Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Captiva (depending on country) in the current Chevrolet line-up. In Europe, some dealers started branding it as a "compact SUV". However, in Canada, where the Chevrolet Orlando is positioned as "mid-size CUV" and the Equinox is the "compact CUV", the Trax is branded as "subcompact CUV" instead.

References