5 – 2013 Chevrolet Trax (73.19%)
Here’s another vehicle that, on its own isn’t all that bad. However, against its very strong opposition , the Chevy Trax fell much too short on things like material quality, acceleration, handling, and interior space. With such fierce competition, we assumed the Trax would bring more to the table, being all new and such. We all know better than to assume now.
When a vehicle’s exterior look is described as “not offensive but not exciting,” it’s perhaps time to rethink the design as a whole. And that individual on our panel wasn’t the only one to feel that way about the 2013 Chevrolet Trax. Most felt the exterior was “unique” and possibly the Chevy’s winning point. Muscular rear wheel arches and a snubby front end give the Trax a playful, bulldog look that some found endearing.
And then it all went downhill inside. It was pretty much unanimous across the comparo panel that the 2013 Chevrolet Trax has a less than stellar interior that feels and looks cheap. From materials, the questionable fit and finish to the layout, we couldn’t get past the dated feel of it all. A few of our drivers commented on a ‘80s-‘90s era look, and not in a good way.
From the alarm-clock speed-o (something also found on the Sonic and Spark) to the lack of heated seats (found in every other comparo vehicle), the Chevy Trax’ only saving grace in terms of interior design was the integration of MyLink.
Equipped with the smallest engine, a 1.4L ECOTEC I-4 VVT, the fact that it also boasts a turbo meant little for its horsepower and torque (138/148), of which the first was the lowest of the bunch. Acceleration was felt to be slow and laboured, and while the shifts were “quick” via the Chevy’s Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission (with available manual mode that requires the use of a little button on the shift lever), most felt the vehicle still felt sluggish under hard acceleration, with a mushy feel to the throttle.
And under more severe handling situations -- like twisty, two-lane country roads covered with patches of snow -- the 2013 Chevrolet Trax really showed its true colours, of which none were very pretty. Confidence behind the wheel dwindled as body roll was prevalent.
Despite boasting the best mileage numbers of the day (9.7L/100km) as well as one of the larger cargo areas (530 litres) and a spacious back seat that offered a good amount of space for a baby seat and rear passengers, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax did not impress as much as we had hoped.
Here’s another vehicle that, on its own isn’t all that bad. However, against its very strong opposition , the Chevy Trax fell much too short on things like material quality, acceleration, handling, and interior space. With such fierce competition, we assumed the Trax would bring more to the table, being all new and such. We all know better than to assume now.
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| Muscular rear wheel arches and a snubby front end give the Trax a playful, bulldog look that some found endearing. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
When a vehicle’s exterior look is described as “not offensive but not exciting,” it’s perhaps time to rethink the design as a whole. And that individual on our panel wasn’t the only one to feel that way about the 2013 Chevrolet Trax. Most felt the exterior was “unique” and possibly the Chevy’s winning point. Muscular rear wheel arches and a snubby front end give the Trax a playful, bulldog look that some found endearing.
And then it all went downhill inside. It was pretty much unanimous across the comparo panel that the 2013 Chevrolet Trax has a less than stellar interior that feels and looks cheap. From materials, the questionable fit and finish to the layout, we couldn’t get past the dated feel of it all. A few of our drivers commented on a ‘80s-‘90s era look, and not in a good way.
From the alarm-clock speed-o (something also found on the Sonic and Spark) to the lack of heated seats (found in every other comparo vehicle), the Chevy Trax’ only saving grace in terms of interior design was the integration of MyLink.
Equipped with the smallest engine, a 1.4L ECOTEC I-4 VVT, the fact that it also boasts a turbo meant little for its horsepower and torque (138/148), of which the first was the lowest of the bunch. Acceleration was felt to be slow and laboured, and while the shifts were “quick” via the Chevy’s Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission (with available manual mode that requires the use of a little button on the shift lever), most felt the vehicle still felt sluggish under hard acceleration, with a mushy feel to the throttle.
And under more severe handling situations -- like twisty, two-lane country roads covered with patches of snow -- the 2013 Chevrolet Trax really showed its true colours, of which none were very pretty. Confidence behind the wheel dwindled as body roll was prevalent.
Despite boasting the best mileage numbers of the day (9.7L/100km) as well as one of the larger cargo areas (530 litres) and a spacious back seat that offered a good amount of space for a baby seat and rear passengers, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax did not impress as much as we had hoped.
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| The 2013 Chevrolet Trax has a less than stellar interior that feels and looks cheap. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |