2024 Chevrolet Trax / Sleight of Hand

We always want cheap suvs on the market, and thanks to Chevy, we now have a great one. That said, Chevrolet made sacrifices. Is this still good enough to compete against more expensive rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross? Or is it stuck with the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul and Nissan Versa? Let's find out.
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[@BYUEagle]

It’s been over 20 years since I owned a Chevy. But lately their design language has become more attractive. And the Trax is much cooler looking than any crossover out there. And some of the more reliable brands have had quality hiccups. So I bought the Activ a couple of weeks ago and am loving it.

[@carlchapin8352]

I have the activ in Black, also love it. It's truly a nice vehicle! Mine has the bronze color around the vents, I don't know if I like the yellow.

[@janoycresnova9156]

Thank you for covering affordable vehicles!

[@Realistick]

You're welcome, I enjoy it quite a bit. Thanks for watching!

[@bokdcutie]

I own a Trax 1RS and I love how it drives. Only downside is when making a U turn I need another lane to make it. Other than that everything is good. I’m not a fan of button start , leather interior and digital gauges that’s why I got the 1RS. Power is sufficient, it’s not a Corvette. Suspension is on the Hard side. If you want a softer ride this might not be the one for you. Body roll on corners 0 to none existent. Sweet spot is at 3400 rpm but can cruise 80mph at 2500rpm that’s a gas saver. I average 32mpg

[@SB-ed4gz]

While Chevy is a brand I avoid, the styling of Trax is something I noticed. Their exterior department did a good job

[@juliussmith4001]

I have a 2RS and i love it bravo to chevy.

[@karlmorgan8580]

I'm just saying whoever designed exterior of the Trax should be getting a bonus, I know it always catches my eye when I see one lately.

[@0HOON0]

The value looks amazing at first, but like many other Toyota folks, I wouldn't trust it out of warranty.

[@Realistick]

I'm hoping this ends up proving to be okay in the long run, most other cars with this level of versatility either cost much more or have the swagger of a toaster.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

My Lexus IS350 F Sport blew a head gasket one year after warranty ran out. I used to be a die hard Toyota fan but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

[@Doc1855]

Exactly

[@wholeNwon]

@@Realistick Hope is a weak substitute for hard reliability data. I certainly wouldn't buy one.

[@rocketshiftgaming5693]

@@Realistick My mother’s 2020 trailblazer with the same 1.2 engine as the new trax has 75k miles on it and has had 0 issues since she bought it. She changes the oil every 5k miles and transmission fluid every 20k mi. She also doesn’t use that horrible feature that all new chevy’s have, the one where if you stop at a light the engine shuts off. She turns that off cause it drives her insane how it just stops running.

[@danhall3450]

New to your site and have just watched a couple of your reviews. I think you've got a gift for this as you provide the important, practical info most car buyers need while not getting lost in the performance weeds. I appreciate the included reliability info based on what owners are saying on forums as well as your good, entertaining banter, and you get it all done in 15 mins or less without a lot of wasted words.

[@DM-fp8uw]

I think this fills a niche. No other SUV below $23k looks like a real SUV. You have to pay a lot more for a CX-30 and the back seat is not nearly as big. The CX30 was a better choice for me, but I can see this appealing to a lot of people as long as the engine holds up.

[@1KDybdahl]

I couldn't find any Trax's below $26k and Mazda was selling their CX-30 Select (Leather and sensors) for $24k. Easy choice. If dealerships honored the Trax's true value then it's be a great deal.

[@Ryan-de9ox]

@@1KDybdahlyou must not be looking because they’re all over the place. Plenty of base model ones and even the 2rs that is under that price without extras.

[@carlchapin8352]

I don't think you can find the trax all over the place. "Maybe the trailblazer." I bought one on Friday 3-1-24 Black trax activ. At that time there was only two in the state of Michigan. Drove 3 hours to get!

[@josephpanozzo4815]

Really nice and thorough review. Thank you for sharing.

[@harsiese]

Great review, as always! We checked this one out at an auto show not too long ago, in order to directly compare smaller crossovers. In my opinion, the Trax had the most comfortable seating. The headroom was definitely tight, but I tend to prefer a more car-like driving position, so it wasn't a deal breaker. The price couldn't be beat, though. Also, I was surprised at how difficult it was to find a heated steering wheel in that class of vehicle for under $30k. I live at the beach, so I don't need AWD. The friend I went with was able to fit a rear-facing child seat (yes, they actually let us carry it around and try it out) in the back if that was a concern for anyone. If you had told me I would be putting a Chevrolet on my list for my next car, even as a long-shot consideration, I wouldn't have believed you.

[@genzigzag]

The Chevy Trax and the Buick Envista are great options for affordable practical vehicles. I would only pause due to the untested motor, but at sub $25k if you got 5 years of reliable use you can't complain.

[@Doc1855]

But you can take the same amount of money, buy a Toyota, Subaru or Honda and drive it for 10-15 years

[@wholeNwon]

@@Doc1855 25 yrs. for me.

[@barrysuss4421]

@@Doc1855 You're not getting this size and features from those brands at this price.

[@Doc1855]

@@barrysuss4421 It is possible. I would buy a used Reliable vehicle before I’d buy a new car that is unreliable

[@s99614]

Front wheel drive only is not a limitation!!! It's a highly desirable feature.

[@jameswalsh6131]

Great video Tyler! It's nice to see something decent and affordable. Please keep the great videos coming!

[@Realistick]

Thanks, will do!

[@brygram]

There is only one other vehicle in this segment which has a real transmission (aside from the sister Envista)...the Mazda CX-30, which only fits very small people in the rear seats. So you put a set of Michelin Cross-Climate 2's on the Trax or Envista and have a set of tire chains handy. You can go most places. Some used 1.2 turbos have over 100K miles on them, the transmission is well known to be good. No other choices, IMO...until Mazda makes a CX-30 LWB.

[@cormaro1376]

I mean yea if you’re 6ft or more wouldn’t recommend the cx30 but it does fit them lol Still recommend Mazda over this junk , you’re just buying old junk put together in a new box , like that 6 speed trans in the new trax

[@kornholiokid867]

Another great video brother

[@greyorbit]

He does not understand the genius of putting the mosut used steering wheel button on the back of the wheel. I LOVE that design I don't have a worn down area on my steering wheel and it's a HARD plastic that does not wear down.

[@henryd1981]

I bristle a bit when I see it being compared to the Crosstrek and the like. I see the Trax competing with other FWD only vehicles such as the Kia Soul, Nissan Kicks, and the Hyundai Venue. While the Crosstrek start at the high end of the Trax price range, that base engine in the Crosstrek is lethargic IMO. I briefly had one with the base 2.0L engine. I know the 2.5L engine is better performing, but you'll have to spend in excess of $30k to get a Crosstrek with it.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

I'd take this over any Volkswagen 😂

[@josetinajero1573]

I have a 2rs and is great.

[@anotheran]

Only now noticed the integrated logo. Looks a lot better

[@Realistick]

Thank you!

[@LordBass]

Much like the Malibu Maxx hatchback of 15 years ago, the styling here reeks to me of 1980 Chevy Citation on stilts. Just compare the overall rear hatch shape. Sure enough, this Trax is nearly equal to the Citation in every dimension but height. Carry on. 🍻

[@s99614]

You write "1980 Chevy Citation" as if it were a bad thing!!!

[@stevenkreiss2113]

For the price and value sorry there should be no complaints....

[@cgmiddle]

Good points. The fact is that viewers/commenters are allowing their own petty biases and narrow scopes of view cloud the issue. The Trax is a new direction in many ways. Most people do not need AWD. Time will tell for the long-term success for the Trax/Envista. Our guess is that these two will be hits. Tyler you rock. We love you with shorter hair.

[@reinaldonavarro3800]

Cheap but chevy i dont know

[@Enszourous]

It looks pretty, but I’ll still always disagree with the premise of an SUV/CUV coming with FWD ONLY, and no AWD option. How many sales people will neglect to tell an average consumer that the cheap, new, easy to approve car sale provides the same powertrain as the vehicle they are “upgrading” from?

[@Realistick]

I get why people wouldn't want a fwd crossover, but chevy does have the Trailblazer too. I think this was to fill the gap left by the demise of the less versatile Cruze!

[@gwpeoples]

Most consumers don't care about the powertrain. Like not even a little bit. They just want the taller roof, higher seating position and perceived larger interior (I say perceived because a lot of these cars are about the same or only slightly bigger than a comparable compact hatchback). The sales people will neglect to mention what you said about the powertrain because the person they're selling to simply won't care.

[@Enszourous]

@@gwpeoplesThey won’t care until they need or expect the vehicle to have more utility than it does. Imagine buying a dishwasher that doesn’t dry your dishes at the end of the cycle. You might think it’s busted, but the salesperson says it’s a “dish washer,” not a “dish dryer.” You kind of expect it to do both these days - the same way I personally expect an SUV/CUV to at least have AWD available. You can use the Trailblazer as an excuse, but do we really need an entirely new vehicle when you could’ve just added an additional powertrain? 🤔

[@gwpeoples]

@@Enszourous I just don't see the people who would consider the Trax needing "utility". They definitely are not going offroad. Like ever. And on normal roads, even in snow, most people can get along fine with FWD (especially if they use winter tires).

[@Enszourous]

@@gwpeoplesI think you are highly overestimating drivers of this entire segment if you think any vehicle in this class is being used to off road lol

[@normaninsandiego7061]

Got to be careful while driving on a mildly frightening road. 😅

[@Realistick]

The winter is bringing it to moderately spooky status

[@JP-nl6lb]

It finally happened. A car review almost took our boy out. xD

[@Doc1855]

What does Consumer Reports, ISee Cars, and Edmonds say about their reliability of that vehicle?

[@Realistick]

CR didn't have much to add, I never really use ISee cars but edmunds has it at 4/5 for reliability. The owners reviews for the 2015-2019 aren't strong. I definitely want to go back over this further in the generation to see how time plays out for the new model.

[@Doc1855]

@@Realistick That would be a Great idea. I love research on many different topics. I’m curious about many different topics and vehicles being one of my favorites.

[@jakethepitador2558]

I've driven manuals for the last 25 years, and drove a Chevy loaner once when my car was in the shop for recall work. It was an automatic with the "paddle shifters." Omg, it was so lame, I just kept it in auto mode, lol. #SaveTheManuals

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Reality says there aren’t enough people who actually want to buy manuals to go through the separate EPA certification process for the separate manual transmission.

[@callmej3671]

Still thinking about an armor-piercing paintball gun… 😊

[@Realistick]

A must-have for American entertainment

[@user-bt9wt1vh3g]

I like it. For a affordable car it’s not to bad

[@albieh2563]

...not too bad.

[@CCWSig]

They look good, but man oh man are the complaints and problems rolling in just as bad as last the last generation.

[@hideokojima1914]

yup, it's a car. and that's the nicest thing you can say about it.

[@vrod6525]

I am between this one or the Kia Seltos 😮

[@BID4882]

Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza, Corolla Cross, and Mazda 3 hatch over this trashcan on wheels all day (same with Envista).

[@Realistick]

Id also take those over this but it’s quite the value proposition nonetheless

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

@@Realistick If it's made on that island that exports automobiles and anime, it's worth buying.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

@@OutsideTheTargetDemographic They are starting to lose their way, though, with very high prices and not necessarily as strong of a reliability advantage as they once had.

[@saltyt.1886]

Great runaround first new car for a new driver. Not my cup of tea, especially with a three cylinder and being a Chevy.

[@jesusramosaguilar603]

I really like this car and am considering it but what's causing some hesitation is the engine. If the throw a 4 cylinder in there it'll probably be a strong option for me.

[@francisj4058]

This car has a timing belt... I'm 2024. Huge red flag

[@AJJax-kd4kr]

This car is made in korea. Its a korean car with a chevy name.

[@1Springloaded]

👍🏻👍🏻😶

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Lol, 1.2L. It's not about the power on paper, it's about how LONG it can do it. My wife's 2.4L NA Equinox was in the shop more than any car I or my parents have owned. Engine started burning about 2qt of oil between oil changes (back road driving). Rust everywhere (we are in the Rust Belt). Save your money, buy a car off that one island in the Pacific.

[@Realistick]

Those were a basket of problems, it seems like these are better based on the previous gen and the engine's brief history so fingers crossed that it will be okay in the long term. Definitely not a car id recommend to the toyota/honda folks (unless time says otherwise)

[@unconventionalideas5683]

That design was defective so GM got rid of it years ago, but some turbo models are decent even if that Naturally Aspirated one was not.

[@chickenfarm09]

I'm surprised you give that tiny little engine that will probably wear out so much praise. A 1.2L with gdi and turbo. All that high pressure will probably wear the rings out and you'll end up with an oil burner or maybe blown gaskets. There are mowers out there with bigger displacement than this thing.

[@Realistick]

137 horsepower for 1.2 liters isn't crazy. It's similar power per liter as most 2 liter turbos out there. I said here, I wouldn't recommend it to people that want toyota longevity and chevy's reputation is middling, but the engine hasn't had a bunch of problems in its first few years so it would be pretty biased to say it'll be trash. We'll update the info in a few years and see what's what.

[@georgemogle5776]

Small engine, stressed all the time especially at speed. Turbo, Extra stress on engine, a lot more. Mistreating turbo. Never startup cold and use engine hard. Better to let sit and idle for a couple of minuets.. shutting down, if engine is hot never just power down. Let engine run for a minuet or so.This allows temps to even out. Important to do so the oil in the turbo oil supply line won't boil and block line which leads to premature turn failure.

[@pan4632]

A C T I V

[@dangerdaaku]

It’s a great rental car.

[@crow_2k11beatsbydre8]

You mean Subarus right?......

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Seems like the MPG's would be a little better considering it's only a 1.2 liter 3 cylinder. The Crosstrek gets better gas mileage with the over twice as big 2.5 liter boxer engine.

[@chickenfarm09]

Engine too small and overworked

[@mickeybrumfield764]

@chickenfarm09 I guess the engineers working in the automotive industry can't figure such things out.

[@davet7966]

It probably gets a little worse with a 6 speed automatic, does the crosstrek have a cvt? Not sure but if it does that will help the gas mileage

[@romeropostali520]

It’s the 2024 Chevy Cavalier ..

[@patrickgagnon9662]

Nice looking, but it's a Chevy , and that 137 horses like dangerously under powered , I drove 152 horses last car ...never again !

[@0HOON0]

8.1 0 to 60 is way faster than anything in the price range.

[@Realistick]

better gearing, more torque, and less weight make a big difference. Above 50 mph, she's a bit pokey but it's not that bad.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

What happens after 60 ....nothing !@@0HOON0

[@tyfode224]

Yes, but it's not a Camaro.....

[@patrickgagnon9662]

I realize it is not a Camaro , but 152 hp was way underpowered to the point of danger if I pushed it , many times said never underpowered again for me ....137hp YIKES@@tyfode224

[@gwpeoples]

The last Chevy I owned was a Spark and it was one of the worst cars I've ever owned. I had so many unexpected repairs (stupid things like the power window regulator failing after

[@infernoking7504]

21k isnt bad until you drive off the lot and its automatically 15k plus gonna have a ton of issues I would rather drive a 1999 honda civic

[@alengreen589]

It´s cheap because Chevy can built this Car cheap with cheap materials.

[@UncleBuckle50]

oil bath timing belt.....no thanks

[@0HOON0]

OCI more important than ever.

[@Queeshandle]

Whats OCI?

[@0HOON0]

@@Queeshandle Oil change interval.

[@Queeshandle]

@@0HOON0ok ok cause I got this car and now I’m concerned about the small engine . So I’m taking precautions 😅

[@0HOON0]

@@Queeshandle Congrats on the new car friend. Hope that it provides you and yours with many years of service and good memories.

[@thebeetalls]

These really small CUVs always surprise me with just how bad the highway fuel economy is. Those tiny engines have so little power they must have to rev like crazy at 70mph cruising. It's one of those counter-intuitive things where if you buy a bigger, more powerful CUV like a Rogue you can get 20% better MPG.

[@Realistick]

It really doesn't rev too much at high speeds, you might just dip into boost a little more often which keeps the gas mileage from being stellar. The rogue uses a turbo three cylinder now so I'm not sure about that but the 2.5l crosstrek (for much more money) does get better highway mileage for sure.

[@vidsling]

Gee, something must be wrong with my 2022 Nissan Kicks. I get 40 mpg highway and 27 mpg city.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

The Highway MPG is better in practice than on paper, say owners, at least according to what I have seen.

[@mumwifeteacher]

Trax is no longer 4x4 just get a Corolla or Corolla cross

[@drsysop]

Chevrolet is gone downhill & the Trax is made in Korea. The CVT transmission is absolute garbage they are now using now as its sluggish. The 6 speed automatics they used before were also bad but much better on acceleration. The 3 cylinder with the Turbo & the GDI is another issue as it wont last & will burn out around or before 100k. GM is making many models in Mexico as well as Korea & the quality control is bad there.

[@Steven-en6uu]

Typical GM. Show up to a gunfight and pull out a knife. What could possibly go wrong with a wheezy turbocharged Korean made 3 cylinder boosted to within an inch of it's life? Another throw away car.

[@chickenfarm09]

According to window stickers, the engine is actually made in Mexico. They seem to hide the model of transmission. It is 6 speed and made in Korea, but that is all they tell you.

[@Realistick]

It's the Hydra-Matic 6T40, it's been used for like 15 years at this point and is made in Korea or China depending on the market I believe.

[@Ricky-mo6mv]

It’s basically unanimous that the Trax is a vehicle to stay away from.

[@albieh2563]

Unanimous?..........that's so untrue.

[@crow_2k11beatsbydre8]

Folks don't listen to this reviewer. The Trax is a value budget vehicle for an budget consumer. Stuck to Mazdas buddy and Subaru which you believe are great vehicles......NOT!!!

[@Realistick]

It seems you misinterpreted the video or missed some key parts. It's an awesome budget car (even made it on my best budget car list). In this video, I said it cut corners in the right places. It seems that their goal was to hide those cost-cutting measures and they did that well (that's where the title sleight of hand comes from). I also recommended it to people that prioritize price first. Would I personally prefer to spend more money and get a Crosstrek, or CX-30, sure.

[@albieh2563]

It's important to remember that everyone doesn't have a lot of money. Also that everyone doesn't need to go from zero to sixty in 4 seconds... ....also that everyone won't put 200,000 miles on the car.....also that evryone doesn't haul at 75 miles an hour all the time.

[@Doc1855]

Why do people always make up names like Leatherette, instead of just calling it what it is… Vinyl. Or Immigrant, which in reality is Invader. Or I expensive, “cheap” or Hoe, which is actually X-wife. Just say the correct word.

[@Doc1855]

Only a 3cyl ? What country is it manufactured in? If it’s China or Mexico then it’ll Never be in my driveway. When Ford first started manufacturing their vehicles in Mexico Ford was paying their workers $25 per week, which is a Lot of money for Mexico, but they never passed those savings onto their Customers. The Only thing that Mexico is good at manufacturing is children.

[@2040wagon]

Mexico and Mexicans are good at many things. Too many things here to list. They also don't like driving poorly manufactured products. They make some Toyota products there as well. This simply is Ford or GM in this case problem. They have worked with Isuzu, Suzuki, and Toyota and should know what to do. Ford worked with Mazda but didn't like being back talked while going broke and ended their relationship. Saab or Volvo anyone?

[@Doc1855]

@@2040wagon I’ll Never knowingly buy any vehicle that is assembled in Mexico. If Mexico is such a great country, then why have 8 million of their citizens Invaded the USA since Communist Biden has opened our borders? Now American SLAVES (taxpayers) have to support them on our own soil, so I’ll be damned if I’ll support them in their own country too

[@speedandstyletony]

But I want an armor piercing paintball gun!😢 "Subaru was better." And more expensive and UGLY, at least the Crosstrek, the new Impreza looks much better without all that tacky plastic.

[@cormaro1376]

Still trash , don’t buy , buyer beware

[@davet7966]

You should try a Nissan versa xD

[@cormaro1376]

@@davet7966 😂 just as bad as sonic or a g4 , I don’t think it gets any worse

[@davet7966]

It gets worse lol, I had a jeep renegade also

[@cormaro1376]

@@davet7966 oh man lol why u buying those buddies

[@davet7966]

I didn’t know how bad it was

[@servicerifle16]

I never liked Chevy's design language but man this thing is ugly.

[@James-un2zj]

Direct injection so it’s junk