Chevrolet to Bring Back the Trax: Good Move or Bad Move?

Initially launched for the 2013 model year, the Chevrolet Trax received a significant mid-cycle update for 2017 but is now largely eclipsed by the larger, more modern Trailblazer. Consider this: Canadian sales of the Trax fell 38.4 percent to 2,395 units in 2021, while the Trailblazer’s jumped a whopping 207.4 percent to 7,641 units.

Instead of discontinuing the Trax, the company has decided to hit the pause button and return with a brand new offering at a later date. The 2022 model marks the end of the current generation, and there won’t be a 2023 model. The Trax will enjoy a fresh start for 2024, as Chevrolet confirmed in a recent announcement, and resume its position as the brand’s entry-level crossover below the Trailblazer.

Executives believe there is still room for two separate products in the small-SUV segment, which is projected to grow another 32 percent over the next five years. Heck, they even expect the Trax to become their third best-selling product behind the Silverado and Equinox. One reason is affordability: the Canadian lineup will be priced from just $21,699 plus freight and PDI. In these times of inflation, that’s fantastic news.

Aiming for the Right Target

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is completely transformed and much more likely to attract today’s young drivers with a focus on style and technology. The sharp and athletic looks are inspired by the Blazer midsize crossover, especially the sporty RS trim. Meanwhile, a new ACTIV model stands out with a monochromatic appearance including titanium chrome accents, unique black wheels and a rear skid plate motif.

The interior will please customers with 76 mm of extra legroom for rear passengers and 12 percent more cargo capacity in the trunk. Of course, the centre of attention is found up front in the form of a brand new, driver-oriented touchscreen (8 or 11 inches depending on the trim) next to an 8-inch digital instrument panel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard across the line.

FWD Only?

The problem, at least for some drivers, is that no AWD option will be available. Unlike the outgoing model and the Trailblazer, the new 2024 Chevrolet Trax goes FWD exclusively—an alternative to the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul. Furthermore, the turbocharged 1.2-litre triple-cylinder engine, shared with the Trailblazer, produces a modest 137 horsepower (though with 162 pound-feet of torque). Hopefully it will prove just fine in a lighter vehicle such as the Trax.

And don’t worry about safety. Despite its entry-level status, the 2024 Trax features a suite of six advanced features as standard including Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam auto high-beam control and Following Distance Indicator.

So, is bringing back—and reinventing—the Trax a good move or a bad move? We’ll get a better idea when we look at sales numbers a year from now, since the launch is slated for next spring.