It’s small, nimble, comfortable, and practical; the latest offering by Chevrolet will surely prove to be a winner amongst those looking to buy their first SUV.
The 2013 Chevrolet Trax is based on the platform of the Sonic hatchback, only lengthened to provide more space.
Not only is the Trax 9.5” longer than the Sonic hatchback, it is also 2” wider and also 5” taller.
Put the two vehicles side by side and they share no styling DNA. Most people will never know that the Sonic and Trax share more than a company badge. But looks can be deceiving.
Under the hood, you’ll find the same 1.4L, double overhead cam, turbocharged, 4-cylinder motor that was first launched in the Cruze. One big drivetrain difference is that the Trax does not come with the normally aspirated 1.8L motor. One small drivetrain difference is that the Trax can be had with all-wheel drive (front-wheel drive is standard).
Standard transmission in the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is a 6-speed manual, although most people will likely spend the extra $1,450 for the 6-speed automatic.
Such is the success rate expected for the automatic that at the time of its Canadian press launch in Ottawa, Ontario there were no manual transmission vehicles on hand because the factory is currently only producing automatics.
While there are four trim levels available, my tester was the 2LT model with all-wheel drive. This version comes with a 6-way power driver’s seat, a 7-speaker Bose stereo, MyLink Touch radio and a backup camera, amongst other goodies.
Gadgets might help sell vehicles these days, but what is the 2013 Chevrolet Trax actually like to drive?
Chevrolet planned a scenic, and often unpaved, drive route for the journalists which took us from Ottawa to Gatineau, Quebec to show us how the Trax performed.
In the city, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax was very maneuverable, partly because of its small size and partly because it has a tiny turning radius. Ride quality over bumps, cracks and expansion joints was bouncy due to its firm suspension. However, on the unpaved back roads, it exhibited quite a comfortable ride, even the interior stayed mostly rattle-free.
Its AWD system worked well too. Basically a front-wheel drive set-up, it sends power to the rear wheels through an electronic coupling when the vehicle detects slippage or upon initial acceleration. The latter will help you beat most other vehicles off the line, despite only having 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. While the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is surprisingly quick off the line, on a two-lane highway you have to really plan your overtaking maneuvers as this is no rocket ship.
The 6-speed auto is impressive, also. Not only is it smooth, but when you use it in “M” (manual) mode, it shifts gears very quickly on your demand. Unfortunately, you have to use a tiny button on the shift knob for manual shifts, which is not ideal.
However, due to this Chevy's size, features and an entry price of just $18,495, the Trax might just be the ideal vehicle for many Canadian buyers.
The 2013 Chevrolet Trax is based on the platform of the Sonic hatchback, only lengthened to provide more space.
Not only is the Trax 9.5” longer than the Sonic hatchback, it is also 2” wider and also 5” taller.
Put the two vehicles side by side and they share no styling DNA. Most people will never know that the Sonic and Trax share more than a company badge. But looks can be deceiving.
 |
| Photo: Nauman Farooq |
Under the hood, you’ll find the same 1.4L, double overhead cam, turbocharged, 4-cylinder motor that was first launched in the Cruze. One big drivetrain difference is that the Trax does not come with the normally aspirated 1.8L motor. One small drivetrain difference is that the Trax can be had with all-wheel drive (front-wheel drive is standard).
Standard transmission in the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is a 6-speed manual, although most people will likely spend the extra $1,450 for the 6-speed automatic.
Such is the success rate expected for the automatic that at the time of its Canadian press launch in Ottawa, Ontario there were no manual transmission vehicles on hand because the factory is currently only producing automatics.
While there are four trim levels available, my tester was the 2LT model with all-wheel drive. This version comes with a 6-way power driver’s seat, a 7-speaker Bose stereo, MyLink Touch radio and a backup camera, amongst other goodies.
Gadgets might help sell vehicles these days, but what is the 2013 Chevrolet Trax actually like to drive?
Chevrolet planned a scenic, and often unpaved, drive route for the journalists which took us from Ottawa to Gatineau, Quebec to show us how the Trax performed.
In the city, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax was very maneuverable, partly because of its small size and partly because it has a tiny turning radius. Ride quality over bumps, cracks and expansion joints was bouncy due to its firm suspension. However, on the unpaved back roads, it exhibited quite a comfortable ride, even the interior stayed mostly rattle-free.
Its AWD system worked well too. Basically a front-wheel drive set-up, it sends power to the rear wheels through an electronic coupling when the vehicle detects slippage or upon initial acceleration. The latter will help you beat most other vehicles off the line, despite only having 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. While the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is surprisingly quick off the line, on a two-lane highway you have to really plan your overtaking maneuvers as this is no rocket ship.
The 6-speed auto is impressive, also. Not only is it smooth, but when you use it in “M” (manual) mode, it shifts gears very quickly on your demand. Unfortunately, you have to use a tiny button on the shift knob for manual shifts, which is not ideal.
However, due to this Chevy's size, features and an entry price of just $18,495, the Trax might just be the ideal vehicle for many Canadian buyers.
 |
| Photo: Nauman Farooq |
Article Gallery