In this episode of Mike Talks Cars, I introduce you to the next generation of Chevrolet’s small SUV, the Chevy Trax. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is a whole bunch different than the previous generation and I talk about the good and the two questionable choices they have made on this impressive-looking SUV. Let me know what your thoughts are on those 2 items.
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I am your host, Mike Little, and I have spent my career training Sales Consultants and Managers on how to create and deliver world-class Customer Experiences. You can find more from me on Anchor, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts and on Apple Podcasts at Mike Talks Cars.
Hi Everyone. This is Mike Talks Cars podcast.
Season 2, Episode 51, all the way back in March of this year, I talked about the fact that General Motors was doing away with 2 small SUVs, the Buick Encore and the Chevrolet Trax. The 2022 model would be their last hurrah. Well, Chevrolet has announced that we will just skip over the 2023 model and an all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax is on its way.
What is very interesting about this new Trax is how different it is from the old one. The 2024 model will be bigger, with a bolder design and much more refined. It will even be a little cheaper to buy as well, in base trim.
In the bigger category, Trax is 11 inches longer, 2 inces wider, with a longer wheelbase, 6 cu.ft. more cargo space and 3 inches more legroom than the previous version. In Canadian, that is 279 mm longer, 51 mm wider, with 161 Litres more cargo room and 76 mm more legroom. Funny, the differences always sound bigger when the metric system is involved.
The first pictures we are seeing of the pre-production Trax are definitely bolder. Chevrolet says that it has unmistakable style. Okay, I agree, as long as you acknowledge that this unmistakable style actually belongs to something else. The side profile stopped me dead in my tracks, no pun intended, because I was wondering what a Chevy bow tie was doing on a RAV-4. Don’t get me wrong, I like the looks of the vehicle, especially the new grille and headlight assemblies. The stance is wide and if you look closely you will see the influence of Trax’s older brother, the Chevy Blazer.
There are actually two separate personalities to the new Trax. The ACTIV trim is very modern and muscular for a small SUV, while the RS trim brings a sportier vibe to both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Each of these different flavours, ACTIV and RS, has a unique grille, wheels and interior accents. As I said, Trax is a very appealing vehicle when you consider other small SUVs on the market today, at least from an appearance perspective. Expect some distinctive colours, also. Cayenne Orange Metallic and Nitro Yellow Metallic should really stand out on the street.
Inside Trax you will find a high level of comfort and convenience. The driver’s cockpit has easy access to everything, and there is no shortage of useful technology, either. There is an 8 inch touchscreen as standard equipment in the LS and RS1 trim levels. Those are the base trims of each of Trax’s alter egos. The LT and above trim levels feature an 11” infotainment screen and an 8 inch driver information centre. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, no matter which trim level you have. There is even standard active noise cancellation included, to help make the drive more pleasant.
From a safety perspective, Trax is pretty impressive. Chevrolet’s Safety Assist package is standard equipment, with automoatic emergency braking, Front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist and a following distance indicator are just 4 of the components included in that package. You will also find a rear camera as standard equipment. Available as options are some high-end safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Aler and rear Cross Traffic Alert.
So, what’s under the hood, you ask? Well, the Canadian Chevrolet website doesn’t want you to know. It just isn’t there. The U.S. website calls out the, and I quote, fun to drive 1.2 Litre Turbocharged engine. They also don’t call out that it is an in-line 3-cylinder. They also don’t call out that all models are Front-wheel drive only. The standard transmission is an automatic 6-speed.
Overall, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax has grown up and should find a comfortable place as an entry-level SUV that will compete head-to-head with the like of the Nissan Kicks, another FWD only SUV. Pricing is even very similar to the Kicks. Trax will also be a solid lower step into the quickly-changing General Motors SUV lineup.
The All-new 2024 Chevy Trax will be hitting showrooms in the Spring of 2024.
Tell me, do you think Chevrolet has done the right thing here by coming to market with a Front-wheel drive only SUV and by keeping the entry price at a lower level by doing so?
Leave me a comment below or you can leave me a voice message at Anchor.fm/mike-talks-cars. Thanks for joining me today.
This is Mike Little signing off for now. You go have yourself a great day.
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