2020 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV that packs the punch of a larger classed vehicle.

Plus it delivers a surprisingly spirited and agile drive.  In fact, the Trax is quick.  Because when I pulled out of Martin Chevrolet during my test drive for this review I chirped the tires. :0)

 2020 Chevy Trax | Top-3:

  1. Driving performance
  2. Interior comfort
  3. Versatility

–>Continue reading or click play below to listen.<–

2020 Chevrolet Trax driver profile

Fun to drive turbo 4-cylinder

Trax In Chevy’s Crossover SUV Lineup

So, later this year the good folks at Chevrolet will reintroduce the Trailblazer crossover SUV.  And it will also be a cute-ute (aka subcompact crossover SUV).  Which has some autophiles pontificating that it will eventually replace the Trax?  However, I don’t think that will be the case.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer driver profile

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Because last year Chevy also reintroduced the Blazer and that seems to be meshing just fine with the Equinox.

And a final note on both sets of vehicles.  While they share class designations, in both cases one is designed as more of a traditional crossover SUV and the other more sporty.

Specifically, the designs of the Trax and Equinox is more traditional.  And the designs of the Trailblazer and Blazer is more sporty.  (By sporty – think styling cues from the Camaro.)

Black 2019 Chevrolet Blazer driver front

2019 Chevrolet Blazer

Finally, my theory that they all stay in production makes further sense for this reason.  And that’s that Chevy is reacting to increased consumer demand for more crossover SUVs and making more of them.  While discontinuing the production of various sedans.

2020 Chevy Trax Prices And Trim Configurations

For 2020 Chevrolet is offering three different trim levels for the Trax.

 2020 Chevy Trax Trims & Starting MSRPs:

  • LS $21,300
  • LT $23,200
  • Premier $27,600

Remember that the pricing I share is for reference and it’s simply the manufacturers suggested retail price.  Contact my friends at Martin Chevrolet in Torrance, California for the best deal.

2020 Chevy Trax black bow tie

And regarding the trim options, Chevy also offers a Redline Edition on the Trax.  It’s an available add-on with the LT trim.  But it gives the Trax a bit of a bolder and sportier look with black accents on the emblems, moldings, grille, and interior.  And, as the name suggests, some of those accents are red too.

Engine, Transmission & MPG

All of the 2020 Trax trim levels come equipped with the same engine and transmission.

Therefore all trims receive a very peppy 1.4-liter turbocharged ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine along with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

2020 Chevy Trax engine

138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque

Plus that engine puts out a very well geared 138 horsepower with 148 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel Economy

And when it comes to MPG the ECOTEC engine and transmission come together to deliver a nice package.

2020 Chevrolet Trax wheel

Additionally, since the engine and transmission are the same for all trim levels.  The only factor that makes a difference in fuel economy is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

2020 Chevy Trax MPG Rating:

  • FWD 26 / 28  / 31
  • AWD 24 / 26 / 29

City / Combined / Highway

And with the Trax being fun to drive and great performing crossover SUV, that’s respectable fuel economy.

What Does 2020 Chevrolet Trax Look Like?

So again, the look of the Trax is a bit more traditional crossover SUV – or cross utility vehicle.  And it’s stylish by subcompact crossover SUV standards and looks every bit as fun to drive as it actually is.

2020 Chevrolet Trax passenger profile

100.6″ wheelbase

And Chevy keeps it fun offering eight different exterior color schemes for the 2020 Trax.

2020 Trax Exterior Colors:

  • Nightfall gray metallic
  • Satin steel gray
  • Silver ice metallic
  • Summit white
  • Mosaic black metallic
  • Cajun red metallic*
  • Pacific blue metallic
  • Red hot (it is)
  • Black cherry metallic

*Extra charge 

So, my test driver that you see in these pictures was the satin steel metallic.  And that’s definitely a more subdued / blend into the crowd color.  Whereas the red hot color is entirely the opposite.

2020 Chevy Trax driver rear

65.9″ tall – including roof rails

Plus, the height of the Trax made getting in and out of it a breeze – I’m 5’10”.

2020 Chevy Trax rear

69.9″ wide

And the width of the 2020 Chevy Trax made it simple to maneuver in and out of parking spaces or through tight spots.

2020 Chevrolet Trax Exterior Metrics:

  • Wheelbase 100.6
  • Length 167.6
  • Width 69.9
  • Track 60.6 – front and back
  • Height 64.8 / 65.9 – with and w/out roof rails

* Inches 

Interior

Inside the 2020 Chevrolet Trax has taken some criticism by the arm-chair-quarterback-journalists out there.  But I disagree.

Because, upon settling into the Trax the first thing I noticed was how spacious and comfortable the cute-ute was.

2020 Chevrolet Trax front seats and dash

Impressively comfortable interior

Specifically, I noted the great extension on the telescoping steering column. Plus the armrest attached to the driver’s seat made for many options in getting comfortable.  And that’s a huge plus for long road trips.  (Aka your daily commute if you live in Los Angeles County!)

backseat with armrest down

Available high-quality leather

While my test driver was the Premier trim with leather interior, I was also impressed with the high-quality feel of the material.  So, if I was blindfolded and judging from touch alone I would have guessed I was in much more expensive, luxury vehicle.

2020 Chevy Trax Interior Metrics:

  • Headroom 39.6 / 38.8
  • Legroom 40.8 / 35.7
  • Shoulder room 54.1 / 52.8
  • Hip room 51.7 / 50.7

* Front/rear inches

And regarding the overall spaciousness of the 2020 Trax, I was adequately comfortable in all four of the primary seats.  Even the middle backseat was acceptable although I wouldn’t want to ride that seat for a long road trip. :0)

cargo area

48.4 cu-ft cargo space w/ backseat down

Plus the Trax delivers in stuff-carrying capacity.  Because it delivers 48.4 cubic-feet of cargo volume with the backseats down.  And that’s 18.7 cu-ft with the backseats up.

Infotainment Technology

So, I really like what Chevy has been doing with its infotainment systems.  Because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come in just about everything.

7-inch infotainment screen

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto standard

And personally, I know very few people who actually use the navigation in their cars anymore.  While I do, it’s only running in the background while I’m using Waze through my phone as my primary navigational device.

So, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in all trim levels of the 2020 Trax.  And also standard, an easy to use 7″ touchscreen.

Easy to use touch screen on the 2020 Chevy Trax

Cool radio station direct-dial – if you still listen :0)

Also, if you go with the LT or Premier trim levels, you can get a sweet-sounding Bose audio system.

Driver Assistance & Safety

And, depending on the trim level you go with, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax has plenty of available driver assistance features.

Available Driver Assistance Safety Tech:

  • Rear park assist
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Forward collision alert
  • Side blind zone alert
  • Lane departure warning

Plus, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the 2020 Chevrolet Trax a 5-star overall rating.

2020 Chevrolet Trax | Top-3

And that brings me back to my Top-3 favorite features of the 2020 Chevy Trax.

  1. Driving performance: Trax has plenty of power.  The torque is great and its super-agile.
  2. Interior comfort: Cute-utes sometimes sacrifice comfort Trax doesn’t.
  3. Versatility: With optional AWD and a ton of configurable interior space Trax is ready for everything.

Finally, if a Trax or any Chevrolet is on your test-drive list then go see my friends at Martin Chevrolet for sure.

Martin Chevy Plate

I’m happy to introduce you too.  Just shoot me an email stating you’d like to be connected with them.  My Address is Tom [at] iDriveSoCal [dot] com.

Martin  Chevrolet is on Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance, California and at MartinChevrolet.com.  Chevrolet, Find New Roads!