The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is a compact crossover SUV and the entry point in the Chevrolet lineup. It may be among the lowest-priced new cars in America, but the Trax does not look the part. Redesigned just a few years ago, the small crossover has a modern look and a stylish, comfortable cabin, making it ideal for a first-time new car shopper. The Trax gets a few new colors for the 2026 model year, but otherwise remains unchanged.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is available in five trim levels: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. Front-wheel drive is standard with no option for all-wheel drive (AWD), and all trims feature the same turbocharged engine. Base prices range from about $24,000 to $27,000, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Trax review, Chevrolet provided a test vehicle equipped with LT trim and the following options:
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $27,975, including the $1,795 destination charge to ship the crossover from the Changwon, South Korea, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Chevrolet manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Perry Stern
With its 2024 redesign, the Chevrolet Trax offers a modern look that matches its larger SUV siblings. Slim LED running lights frame the top of the grille at the hood line, and the headlights integrate well into the bodywork. My test vehicle featured the Midnight Edition package, giving the Trax a sportier look, highlighted by blacked-out badges and exterior trim, as well as black wheels.
Considering the Trax is the lowest-priced entry in the Chevrolet lineup, the interior feels surprisingly upscale. The materials look high quality, and I especially liked the textured dashboard and the splash of yellow on the dashboard and vents. Customers can also choose blue accents for a more subtle look.
My LT came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen display and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, giving the Trax a clean, high-tech look. Climate functions are kept separate, with physical controls for quick access.
While the gear selector takes up a significant portion of the center console, there is still ample storage space around the front seats. In addition to the large cupholders, you will find a sizeable bin under the armrest, two additional trays, and a wireless smartphone charger under the dashboard. Large bottles fit easily in the door pockets.
Trimmed in Evotex synthetic leather and cloth, the front seats feature a stylish pattern that enhances the premium appearance. Although the seats do not have much bolstering, they are reasonably comfortable, even after a few hours behind the wheel.
The rear seats share a similar design, and their 38.7 inches of legroom is among the most generous in the class, ensuring that at least two adult passengers will find the space reasonably comfortable. Not surprising for a vehicle this size, the middle seat is tight and best reserved for smaller passengers.
It may be small, but the Trax offers good utility with ample cargo space, featuring 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, more than enough for a few pieces of luggage or the weekly grocery run. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats to expand the space to 54.1 cubic feet. A hard tonneau cover that raises with the hatch keeps your cargo out of sight. While it is easy to remove, there is not a convenient place to store it in the Trax.
Photo: Perry Stern
While higher-end Chevrolet SUVs like the Equinox, Traverse, and Tahoe feature the intuitive Google Built-in infotainment system, the Trax gets GM's basic system, which offers limited functionality. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the base trims, while the LT and higher trims get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display. Features include:
A four-speaker audio system comes standard on the LS, while the rest of the lineup features a six-speaker system. Higher trims also include a wireless charger.
My LT featured the larger 11-inch screen, which is clear, bright, and angled slightly toward the driver for better visibility. However, one look at the display in the Trax makes it clear there is not much to offer. There are not even enough icons to fill the screen.
But that is not an issue given the ease of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. I easily connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+, and Android Auto loaded automatically every time I set out in the Trax. Android Auto fills the screen while keeping the static shortcuts to the Home screen, audio, and vehicle settings along the left side of the display.
The available digital gauge cluster complements the high-tech style and is clear and easy to read. Configuration options are limited. However, I always like to see the trip computer data, and in the Trax, it is front and center under the speedometer.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is available with a single powertrain: a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard. All-wheel drive is not available on any 2026 Trax.
It may not have much power, but the Trax makes up for it with good fuel efficiency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2026 Trax gets an estimated 29 mpg combined. On my standard loop, which includes highway, city, and winding back roads, the trip computer showed 27.6 mpg, coming close to the EPA ratings.
I expected the Trax to feel underpowered, but the small crossover is more responsive than its specs suggest. While it will not win a drag race, the Trax gets moving quickly from a stop and offers more than adequate performance for most driving situations. The Trax's compact footprint gives it good maneuverability in town, and its high-resolution rear camera makes parking easy.
The low power output becomes more noticeable when accelerating onto the highway. It takes longer to get up to speed than I would like, and the small engine gets noisy as it works hard to reach 70 mph. However, once at speed, the engine quiets down, and the Trax cruises without issue. The ride is comfortable and stable, though enough road and wind noise permeates the cabin to be somewhat bothersome.
It may not be available with all-wheel drive (AWD), but the small SUV delivers reasonably good handling, both in everyday driving and on spirited jaunts down a country back road. Steering response is good, and the Trax feels confident on the road. Noticeable body lean appears during quick direction changes or when pushed hard in a corner, but the Trax always feels stable, even on rough pavement. Overall, the Trax delivers a comfortable ride in most everyday driving situations.
Photo: Perry Stern
All 2026 Trax crossovers come with the brand's Chevy Safety Assist system. While it may not include all the features of higher end models, the core advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are standard. Features include:
Customers can upgrade to the Driver Confidence package to get:
My Trax came with the Driver Confidence package. It may not be as advanced as the hands-free Super Cruise found on higher-end Chevrolet models, but the adaptive cruise control worked well during my drive east on Interstate 94. Operation was smooth, with steady braking and acceleration as needed to keep pace with traffic ahead.
Chevrolet also equips the Trax with a following distance indicator that shows how long it would take to stop if the vehicle ahead braked suddenly. The readout adjusts for speed and effectively alerts the driver when they are traveling too close to the vehicle ahead.
While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) does not have complete crashworthiness data for the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, the small SUV earned a top Good rating in the small overlap and side crash tests, with a Poor rating in the updated moderate front overlap test. Similarly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides partial data on the Trax, awarding it four out of five stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests.
According to the JD Power 2026 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Hyundai Venue ranks highest in the Small SUV segment, with the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX ranked second and third, respectively.
According to the JD Power 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Mini Countryman ranks highest in the Small SUV segment, with the Buick Envista ranked second. The Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks rank third (in a tie).
Other 2026 Trax competitors include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, and Subaru Crosstrek.
It may be the lowest-priced model in the Chevrolet lineup, but with modern styling, a comfortable cabin, and solid utility, the 2026 Trax offers a lot for the money. While it would be nice if the Trax were available with AWD, the compact SUV delivers performance, efficiency, and handling that make it a respectable daily driver.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving nearly every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for jdpower.com. Living in southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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