Ready to log some miles this summer on a road trip adventure? Why not make tracks instead? Chevy Trax, to be precise. This year’s compact SUV offering from Chevy. With spacious seating, excellent safety features, two capable engine options, and plenty of styles to choose from, the 2016 Chevy Trax might be everything you’re looking for from a fun-sized SUV. While nothing compares to an actual experience behind the wheel, we’ll take you through a few highlights so you can feel well-versed in what the Trax has to offer before you explore your purchase and lease options.
Trim Level Variety Offered by the Trax
Able to seat five passengers comfortably, the 2016 Chevy Trax is available in three trim levels: the base entrant LS, mid-range LT, and top of the line LTZ. No matter which trim you choose, all three can be outfitted with front or all-wheel drive set ups.
Starting with the base LS, you can expect to find features like full power accessories, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, fold-flat passenger seat up front, 60/40-split-folding rear seat, air-conditioning (crucial for summer fun), automatic headlights, all of which stand atop 16-inch steel wheels. The amount of standard connectivity and infotainment features is amazing and includes: Chevy’s own MyLink functionality, coupled to a seven-inch touchscreen, audio and Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free voice control for iPhone users, rearview camera, GM’s OnStar telematics capabilities paired to 4G WiFi, USB port, auxiliary audio jack, and six speakers from which to blast your best road trip playlists.
Taking all that equipment, the mid-level LT trim ups the ante with cruise control (perfect for weary travelers), rear privacy glass, roof rails, alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors (summer doesn’t last forever), extra storage space below the front passenger seat, remote engine start and stop, satellite radio, and a 110-volt, household-style power outlet (a helpful backup on camping trips).
For the best the Trax has to offer, it’s worth checking out the LTZ for its added bells and whistles like heated seats up front, automatic-dimming rearview mirror, premium leatherette vinyl interior, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloys, and six-way power driver seat. For a concert on the go and the ultimate sing along potential, you’ll want the LTZ for it’s seven-speaker Bose audio system.
Although the Trax doesn’t boast as many available options and packages as some other models might, there are still a few to consider. For example, the Convenience package is available on the LT trim, and offers you the rear parking sensors, six-way power driver seat, and a bit of added luxury in the form of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth-leatherette interior. The Sun and Sound package will enhance any summer travel, thanks to the available sunroof and Bose audio system (both for the LT), with the sunroof available as an individual option for the LTZ only.
Powering the Trax
This Chevy Trax is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. So equipped, the Trax generates 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. When Edmunds tested the power of this pairing, the LTZ made the zero to six mph sprint in ten seconds. As far as fuel efficiency, the EPA estimated a competitive 26 city and 34 highway mpg from the front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive returning 24 city, 31 highway mpg. With these numbers, it’s easy to travel further in the Trax without compromising your bank account.
A Safe Trek in the Trax…
Standard features on the 2016 Chevy Trax include traction and stability control, antilock brakes, and a plethora of airbags, including front-seat side, knee, and and from and rear side curtain. Expect front disc and rear drum brakes from front-wheel drive configurations and four-wheel disc brakes from all-wheel drive setups. Following its performance testing, Edmunds also tested the Trax’ stopping power, and found that the LTZ AWD was able to stop from 60 mph in 120 feet, a more competitive return than other same-class entrants.
All Chevy Trax come with the rearview camera, with the rear parking sensors included only on the LTZ. Chevy provides every Chevy Trax model with a six-month OnStar subscription, affording you complimentary crash notification and emergency roadside response.
Boasting a five-star overall safety rating, following federal crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Trax it top rating of “Good,” specifically for modern-overlap frontal offset, small-overlap frontal offset, roof strength and side impact tests. In addition, the Trax earned “Good” results for whiplash protection from its seat-head restraint design.
Plenty of Space for the Overpacker
When you’re ready to hit the road, you’ll be delighted by the amount of cargo room this compact SUV has to offer. Although the vehicle is on the small side of the SUV spectrum, the interior cargo space includes 18.7 cubic feet, more than most sedans on the market today. Folding the rear seats down gets you up to 48.4 cubic feet of room, way more than its competitors, like the Nissan Juke, for example.
Trax of Many Colors…
The 2016 Chevy Trax strikes a fun pose, in part thanks to its smaller stance, but extensive variety of color options. Whether you want to make a bold statement or prefer something more in line with understated elegance, the color palette is sure to satisfy your tastes. Available shades include: Blaze Granite Metallic, Blaze Red, Brilliant Blue Metallic, Champagne Silver Metallic, Crimson Metallic, Cyber Gray Metallic, Deep Espresso Metallic, and Mosaic Black Metallic.
Adventure Has Never Been So Affordable
With its rock-solid safety ratings, ample cargo space, and fun infotainment options, it’s amazing how affordable the Trax actually is, especially when you consider its impressive fuel economy. If you’re budget-conscious (and really, who isn’t these days?), but you don’t want your bank account to limit your fun this summer, take the 2016 Chevy Trax for a test drive. With its starting MSRP of only $20,300, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of what summer has to offer without breaking the bank.
So, make tracks to your local Chevy dealer and see how it feels behind the wheel of Chevy’s affordable, yet competitive compact SUV.
