Used 2020 Chevrolet Trax

#11 in Best Subcompact SUVs of 2020

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax is living on borrowed time. At some point soon, the all-new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is going to be sold alongside the Trax, but will eventually supersede it. In the meantime, the Trax is Chevy’s entry into the subcompact-crossover SUV fray.

When fitted with all-wheel drive, the Trax could be suitable for a weekend jaunt to the ski slopes, or for negotiating a dirt road to a hiking trail. But its 6.2 inches of ground clearance doesn’t make it an off-road ace by any stretch of the imagination.

Instead, think of the Trax as well suited to the harsh terrain of badly maintained city streets. Petite dimensions mean ease of parking, the raised driving position results in good outward vision, while the interior space allows three close friends to ride along (four if they’re really close). The 2020 Trax also comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration as standard and offers advanced safety features.

Rivals include the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR. All excellent choices.

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From the grind of the commute to the weekend break, with some shopping in between, the 2020 Trax performs its duties with predictable and acceptable driving manners, a tight turning circle, and a modest overall size.

The front seats are sufficiently comfortable and supportive for a vehicle in this price range. Having smartphone integration as standard is another positive aspect.

The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provides a reasonable amount of muscle, although going uphill while fully laden will make an owner wish for something beefier. Highway stretches are also reminders that Chevy didn’t go crazy with the sound insulation, but it’s bearable.

Soft-touch plastics and a digital/analog instrument cluster help make the cabin of the Chevrolet Trax a generally agreeable and workable environment.

Rear passengers will find more room in a Trax than in some rivals. Maximum cargo space, meanwhile, is a respectable 48.4 cubic feet and the front-passenger seat folds flat, so some longer items (surfboards, for example) may also fit. Behind the rear seats is a highly useful 18.7 cubic feet.

From several steps back, the 2020 Trax has a confident stance thanks to the short overhangs. If the general Chevrolet design approach works for potential customers, then they’ll find the Trax attractive.

Proportions are well-considered, while the profile sports a character line that runs from the top of the front wheel up to the top of the large taillights. Those units are set either side of a sculpted tailgate.

Move closer and the differences in trim become more discernible. The basic LS model has black side-mirror caps and steel wheels, while the range-topping Premier trim sports chrome accents, 18-inch alloy wheels and several more aesthetic upgrades.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO
Ever wondered why your car’s infotainment system can’t work like your smartphone? Now it can. Through the Chevy Trax’s MyLink setup with its 7-inch touch screen, smartphone integration enables the use of navigation apps, music and text messaging. All in a safe and easily accessible format.

4G LTE WI-FI
An integrated 4G LTE Wi-Fi system brings fast internet access using occupants’ phones, tablets or laptops (up to seven devices). Naturally, the Trax has to be in an area where it can get a signal for this feature to work.

Even in entry-level LS form, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax does well in the features-for-Franklins stakes. For example, a pair of USB ports, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 7-inch infotainment touch screen and a class-leading 10 airbags.

The OnStar system comes with a 5-year subscription to basic services, automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, and one month’s free trial (or three gigabytes, whichever comes sooner) of Wi-Fi.

All-wheel drive is not always offered in this class of vehicle, but it’s available in any version of the 2020 Trax. Things like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry/ignition, simulated leather upholstery, heated seats, rear parking sensors and a Bose audio upgrade are standard in the Premier trim and optional in the LT variant.

There are no choices in this department. The 2020 Trax makes tracks with a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s a well-balanced combination that brings decent power, satisfying responses and useful fuel economy. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the default setup, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4
138 horsepower @ 4,900 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/31 mpg (FWD), 24/29 mpg (AWD)