Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A blue 2019 Chevy Trax from a used Chevy dealership is parked in front of a wooden wall.

Pre-Owned Chevy Trax: Are They Worth it?

If you are looking for a car but you’re on a tight budget, check out the Chevy Trax. Chevy is well known for producing quality vehicles that are built to last, and because of this, we recommend you find one used. Our personal favorite is the Chevy Trax, and you can find plenty of these beloved models at fantastic prices at used Chevy dealerships across the United States. A pre-owned Trax is undoubtedly one of the very best ways to acquire a small SUV that offers ample cargo space, excellent fuel-efficiency, and more. Don’t believe us? All you have to do is read on and, then later, check out the Trax and other used Chevy models at your local dealership. You won’t be disappointed.

Performance and Efficiency?

Chevy vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, and more importantly, price ranges. This means that various models such as the Chevy Trax, for example, are normally found at a lower MSRP than their contemporaries, even when brand new. So, what does this mean for the average driver looking for a reliable used vehicle? What this ultimately means is that the Trax won’t be elusive in your search, and because it’s not a significantly older lineup, you can guarantee your vehicle will be from 2015 at the oldest. Even better, the Trax hasn’t received a major update since its initial release, meaning performance and other features should remain relatively similar across the board, an amazing feat for those looking to save extra money.

Simply put, the Trax has yet to see an uptick in performance ever since its release, and in actuality, utilizes the same powertrain as it did back in 2015. This is terrific news for anybody looking to purchase a pre-owned Trax, as it’ll perform practically one-to-one with its successors. The powertrain configuration consists of a turbocharged 1.4L 4-Cyl that comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s important to note the turbocharged nature of this engine as it can achieve better performance and much higher fuel-efficiency out of an overall smaller engine.

This engine achieves 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, and as previously mentioned, this performance doesn’t change, regardless of which Trax you purchase. While this performance isn’t necessarily game-changing, it’s certainly ample at what it sets out to do, and that’s to provide drivers with a reliable and amply performant vehicle for everyday travel, and even the occasional road trip. This is most evident through the EPA-estimated ratings, which have always been fantastic with the Trax.

Interestingly, the EPA-estimated ratings tend to differ with models from certain years when compared against one another, and the fuel-efficiency decreases when opting for an AWD configuration. For example, the 2019 and 2020 Trax receive EPA-estimated ratings of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway with FWD, while the 2018 and 2017 Trax have ratings of 25 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway with FWD. Fortunately for shoppers interested in a used Trax, what this means is that your vehicle will be more fuel-efficient than plenty of other used vehicles on the market.

A blue 2019 Chevy Trax is driving past a body of water and a city skyline.

Some Serious Cargo Space

Just like the performance side of things, the interior of the Trax has seen fairly minor upgrades since its initial launch, meaning every used Trax will garner the same amount of available cargo space. Additionally, the Trax has always supported a maximum seating capacity of five passengers. Bringing a 2019 Trax in for reference, sitting in the front row would net you a generous 39.6-inches of headroom in the front, along with 40.8-inches of legroom. In the back, headroom measures out at 38.8-inches, while there are 35.7-inches of legroom.

As previously mentioned, the Trax is well regarded for its large amount of available cargo space. No matter which Trax you purchase, you’ll get a total of 48.4 cu.ft. of cargo space, and you can not only fold the back seats but the front passenger seat as well. Let’s say you’re going on vacation with the family or friends, and everyone’s aboard for the ride, you’ll still have 18.7 cu.ft. of available cargo space for luggage.

Available Features

One of the most notable highlights of the Trax has always been its emphasis on tech-oriented features; this has always been a strength and a large selling point for the Trax. For example, models as far back as 2015 include a fully-fledged infotainment center that came installed with a 7-inch screen, along with various tech-oriented necessities such as Bluetooth and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot included at no extra cost. A couple of years later, with the 2017 Trax, Chevy integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the infotainment center, completely breathing new life into your vehicle’s main media hub. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be easily accessed by plugging in a USB cable, and the two devices become linked, lending some of the more helpful features such as media controls, navigation, and more.

Admittedly, the Trax can be a tad lacking to some in regards to standard safety equipment, as the most notable advanced safety feature that will always come with your Trax is a rearview camera. However, Chevy offers a host of available advanced safety features that you can include with your Trax. Utilizing a 2019 Trax as an example, advanced safety features you may opt for include Rear Cross Traffic Alert. This system helps prevent any potential accidents from occurring when you’re backing out of a parking space by alerting you of incoming cars.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert isn’t the only feature that you may add, as features such as Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning are also available. Lane Departure Warning will alert you if you’ve crossed lanes unintentionally while driving, while Forward Collision Warning will signal an alert if a potential collision may occur. Ultimately, each feature available to the Trax helps to ensure a far safer experience while on the road.

The steering wheel and screen in a 2019 Chevy Trax are shown.

Always A Reliable Brand

Of course, the Trax is one of many available vehicles that Chevy offers that can provide drivers with exceptional experiences for the value. Even if you’re looking to invest in your first brand-new vehicle, Chevy is the starting place for many. For most drivers, however, used vehicles such as the Trax can be found at incredible prices, and as we’ve previously established, performance amongst other highlights will remain practically identical. Although this isn’t the case for every model within Chevy’s lineup, the Trax helps to exemplify a subset of drivers who would like to receive many of the bells and whistles of a modern-day tech-oriented automobile at a fraction of the cost of some of its competitors.

Aside from the more tech-oriented feature set, the Trax manages to be the perfect ride for those who wish to maximize their available cargo space and take their vehicle out on long road trips, thanks to its efficient powertrain. Used vehicles such as the Trax can be found at fantastic prices, as long as you do your shopping accordingly. The best way to secure the best deal possible is by visiting your local Chevy dealership to browse their collection and speak with a Chevy sales representative.