The Chevrolet Trax Is So Cheap, But You Wouldn’t Know It

Cheap cars were a dime a dozen, now they are as rare as a two dollar bill.

There are currently only two new models available in the US for less than $20,000.

The Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage subcompacts were the only holdouts, and no American automaker offers anything priced below that bar.

But Chevrolet has something better about it.

Courtesy of Chevrolet

Starting at $21,495, the 2024 Chevy Trax is the least expensive vehicle available from the American brand, even though it’s made in South Korea.

The Trax joins a growing group of subcompact and compact SUVs that include the Honda HR-V, Jeep Compass and Kia Seltos, all starting at more than $25,000.

It has the low roof, stretched wheelbase that many electric utility vehicles have recently adopted, but it only comes with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

That might sound strange, but it’s a smooth and rugged motor that pumps out 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for a car of this size. It all goes to the front wheels, however, and all-wheel drive is not available.

That might be a deal-breaker if you live in a snowy place, but the Trax isn’t meant to be an off-road SUV. Its 7.3 inches of ground clearance is more than you get with most sedans or hatchbacks, but it’s not a harsh ride.

Fuel economy checks in at 30 mpg combined, which is in the mix for its segment, but not the best. A hybrid option would take it to the next level, but the price would go with it.

The interior is surprisingly spacious and has more legroom to move around than you’d find in a Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan. It’s also as spacious as the Chevy Equinox large SUV.

The driver gets two digital screens for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, which adds a premium touch. The dashboard styling is sporty, with large round vents and color accents. You can find some costs in the plastic on the doors and the dim top light, but none of them scream “economy car”. The worst oversight is the lack of back of the arms and cups. Parents be warned.

Automatic emergency braking and a lane departure warning system are standard, and the Trax is available with radar cruise control and a blind spot monitoring system.

Load one with those and a sunroof package that includes a wireless charging pad, and even the top-of-the-line Trax RX and Trax Activ are discounted to $26,685.

The ride quality is set for comfort and makes it feel like a big car. It’s also quieter than you’d expect at this price point.

As for basic family transportation, it’s hard to beat and has been the fifth best-selling model among all General Motors brands so far this year.

It may sound silly, but I find the lack of a rear cup holder to be a deal breaker for some buyers. Fortunately, General Motors has an answer for that.

The Buick Envista is built on the same platform as the Trax and starts at just $23,495. That makes it the cheapest model available from a premium brand.

Its design is different, outside and inside, but it has the same strength as the interior space, with additional sound insulation, acoustic laminated glass and noise canceling technology that emits sound waves opposite to what it perceives, which helps to reduce the sound. Buick calls this QuietTuning and it’s one of the things that sets it apart from the Chevrolet, along with nicer upholstery and trim.

But the most important improvement may be that it has a back of the hand and cups.