For years, the cheap seats in the automotive arena have been firmly occupied by such brands as Kia and Hyundai. You know the type: affordable, reliable, and with just enough bells and whistles to make you feel like you’ve bought something that resembles a car. Yes, there have been others who tried—Ford with the EcoSport, Nissan with the Rogue Sport—but let’s face it, the Koreans have ruled the roost. They’ve owned the front row, waving their Hyundai and Kia flags with gleeful pride. Meanwhile, Chevrolet, with its Trax, spent the last decade languishing somewhere in the nosebleed seats.
The last time I spent a week with the Trax, it was the 2015 model. And to say I was underwhelmed is an understatement of biblical proportions. That first-generation Trax was about as exciting as a microwave dinner—functional, but utterly devoid of flavor. It looked like it had been designed by someone who just found out what a crossover SUV was and slapped something together over a long weekend. The interior? A festival of plastics so cheap they could have been mistaken for recycled cereal boxes. The driving dynamics? Well, it drove, I’ll give it that. But in a market already dominated by its better-dressed rivals, the Trax simply felt like it was wearing hand-me-downs to a black-tie event.
Chevrolet apparently heard the jeers from the stands and mercifully discontinued the first-gen Trax in 2022, sending it back to the automotive locker room where it belonged. I can’t say I was disappointed. In fact, I was ready to forget it ever existed.
Then came 2024. The Trax was back, and they said it had been “redesigned.” Words like “all-new styling”, and “significant updates” were thrown around. I, however, remained unconvinced. To me this wasn’t a phoenix rising from the ashes; it felt more like a battered fighter getting dragged back into the ring for one last round.
But when I got a chance to spend a week with the 2025 Chevrolet Trax, I have to admit, I was curious. Could Chevy really redeem the Trax after that dismal first act?
Spoiler alert: They did.
The new Trax now claims a seat in the front row, and in an ironic twist, it’s built at GM’s shiny new plant in Changwon, South Korea. That’s right, this all-American SUV is rolling off the assembly line right next to the very brands it once tried—and failed—to compete with. And you know what? It finally belongs.
Let’s start with the looks. The 2025 Trax no longer looks like something that stumbled off a budget rental lot. It’s sleeker, bolder, and dare I say… stylish? Yes, Chevrolet has actually injected some personality into this thing. It has more presence on the road now, with a wider stance and a lower roofline that give it a modern, almost athletic vibe. The LED lighting, aggressive front grille, and sharp body lines suggest Chevy has finally started paying attention to what people want in a compact SUV.
Inside, it’s an entirely different story from the plastic-filled cavern of old. The interior is actually a nice place to be. The materials feel higher quality, and while it’s still budget-friendly, it no longer feels cheap. There’s an 11-inch touchscreen on the upper trims that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, intuitive controls, and plenty of tech that makes it feel like it belongs in 2025, not 2015.
There are five trim levels: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS and Activ. All are powered by the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 137 horsepower and a 162 lb-ft torque paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. My week was spent with the Activ trim which added, 18-inch alloy wheels, remote start, heated front seats, with the driver’s seat being power adjustable and an optional package that has adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
And how does it drive? Well, the Trax has ditched the wheezy 1.4-liter engine in favor of a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. Now, that might sound like a downgrade, but this little engine actually delivers 137 horsepower and feels much more refined. It’s not fast, mind you, but it’s zippy enough for city driving and comfortable on the highway. It doesn’t feel like it’s about to collapse from exhaustion. Sure, it’s not going to give you heart-pounding thrills, but then again, if you’re buying a Trax for that, you’ve got bigger problems. The handling is tight, the suspension is well-tuned, and it no longer feels like it’s going to tip over if you sneeze while cornering.
They only negative, and I can’t stress this enough, the only real downer, is that unlike some other small SUVs, all-wheel drive is unavailable, pity. But it’s also easy to park, which is a good thing because most people will probably never take this thing off the pavement.
Where it really shines, though, is in the value department. Starting around $21,000, the 2025 Trax undercuts most of its rivals while offering a competitive list of features. The Koreans may still have the edge in some areas—Hyundai’s Tucson and Kia’s Seltos remain top-tier—but the Trax is no longer the odd one out. It’s like Chevy took notes from the competition and finally decided to show up to the game.
The Trax might still have an American badge, it’s got a bit of Korean soul under the hood.
So, should you consider the new Trax? Absolutely. It’s proof that second chances can pay off. It’s still not perfect, and it’s got a tough battle ahead in a crowded field, but at least now, the Trax has earned its place among the front-row contenders.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax isn’t just a better version of its former self—it’s a complete transformation. It’s no longer the ugly duckling of the compact SUV world. Instead, it’s a contender, ready to rub shoulders with the best. And this time, it’s not embarrassing itself in the process. Bravo, Chevy. Welcome to the front row.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax Activ
MSRP: $24,300
MSRP (as tested): $26,.85
Engine: 1.2 liter inline 3, 137 horsepower @5000 rpm, 162 lb-ft torque @2500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 28 city, 32 highway, 30 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 33 mpg
Exterior Dimensions
Length:178.6 in.
Overall width without mirrors:71.8 in.
Height: 61.7 in.
Wheelbase:106.0 in.
Ground clearance: 7.3 in.
Interior Dimensions
Front Seat Dimensions
Front head room: 39.6 in.
Front leg room: 41.9 in.
Front shoulder room: 55.7 in.
Front hip room: 52.1 in.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear head room: 38.1 in.
Rear leg room: 38.7 in.
Rear shoulder room: 54.3 in.
Rear hip room: 45.8 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 25.6 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 54.1 cu.ft.
Warranty
Basic: 3 yr./ 36,000 mi.
Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Rust: 6 yr./ 100,000 mi.
Roadside assistance: 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Free maintenance: 1 yr./ unlimited mi.
Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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