Are you buying a new compact crossover? Prepare to be overwhelmed. The crossover SUV segment has exploded in popularity over the past decade, prompting automakers to release tons of new models and update perennial favorites. At last count, the compact size category included nearly 40 different vehicles, including a hidden gem: the 2021 Chevy Trax.
Why do we love the Chevy Trax? For starters, it’s extremely affordable. With an MSRP of just over $20,000, the Trax represents an opportunity for buyers on a used car budget to enter the new car market rather than settling for a questionable pre-owned alternative. The Trax’s small stature and gas-sipping fuel efficiency also make it a great choice for city dwellers and commuters.
Chevrolet calls the Trax an “everyday out-of-the-ordinary SUV,” which is a perfect paradox. It’s not easy to design a vehicle that delivers on both practicality and style, but that’s exactly what you’ll get with the 2021 Trax. Within the segment, the Trax sits at the Goldilocks-esque just-right sweet spot, especially in comparison with some of the other category offerings.
Back in 2015, at around the time of its initial launch, Chevrolet published a media release crediting the Trax with boosting the company’s sales among women and buyers under the age of 35. They reported that 47 percent of the 6,000 Trax’s sold in the first quarter of 2015 were purchased by buyers who were new to the Chevrolet brand. This youthful product positioning is no accident; the Trax is sporty and fun to drive, features that adventurous young drivers desire.
Are you ready to learn more? Here’s our comprehensive buyer’s guide for the 2021 Chevy Trax.
Pricing, Trims, and Appearance Packages
The simplified 2021 Chevy Trax lineup consists of just two trims, the base LS and the LT. Both are available in either front-wheel drive or, for an additional cost, all-wheel drive. The powertrain remains consistent across both trims and includes a 1.4-Liter turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy is impressive at 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway, and you will still enjoy 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
The LS starts at $21,400 and offers a 3.5-inch Driver Information Center, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Power windows and door locks are also standard, along with a rear vision camera and remote keyless entry. Cloth seat trim is standard on the LS, as is a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which comes in handy for hauling odd-sized cargo.
The Trax LT, priced at $23,200, adds several standard convenience features, including standard cruise control, remote start, and body-color heated power outside mirrors. Chevy also includes a handy storage compartment under the front passenger seat and roof-mounted side rails for transporting gear like skis and kayaks. Both the LS and the LT come standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, but LT buyers can opt for 18-inch wheels for a small additional cost.
Chevy is known for creating exterior appearance packages that accent the vehicle’s standard features, and the Trax is no exception. The special Midnight Edition package, only available on the LT, adorns the Trax with front and rear black skid plates, special black moldings, black door handles, and black Chevy bowtie emblems. It also includes a set of 18-inch black aluminum wheels and all-season tires.
The Redline Edition, also available solely on the LT, comes with many of the same features found in the Midnight Edition. However, it offers a wider array of exterior colors, and its 18-inch wheels include silver and red accents. These appearance packages give buyers looking to stand out from the crowd an inexpensive way to customize their Trax further.
Technology and Connectivity
In keeping with its youthful theme, the 2021 Chevy Trax includes plenty of next-generation tech designed to keep everyone connected and entertained. All Trax models include a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (data plan required). A six-speaker audio system also comes standard on both Trax trims.
The Trax is compatible with Chevrolet Connected Access, an app-based vehicle control hub designed to turn your smartphone into a virtual key. The subscription-based program lets you lock or unlock your doors, sound the horn, and view vehicle diagnostics right from within the app. It’s a handy tool designed for optimal driver convenience and ease of use.
Chevrolet Connected Access includes a Smart Driver feature that monitors your driving habits and sends feedback to improve fuel economy and reduce unnecessary wear and tear. There’s also a Marketplace accessible from the in-vehicle touchscreen. The Marketplace features special offers on products and services exclusively for Chevrolet Connected Access subscribers.
OnStar, also available on the Trax, is General Motors’ in-vehicle service that provides one-touch 24/7 access to live advisors who are trained to assist with everything from navigation and roadside assistance to automatically notifying emergency services after a serious crash. The OnStar system notifies an agent when the airbags deploy. The agent will attempt to contact the driver, and if there is no answer, emergency services will be directed to the vehicle’s location.
Safety and Driver-Assist Features
The 2021 Chevy Trax is equipped with 10 standard airbags, a body made of high-strength steel, and StabiliTrak electronic stability control. These features earned the Trax the coveted National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. A rear vision camera is also standard, which comes in handy when backing out of parking spots or your driveway.
Safety features also come in the form of available driver-assist systems. Choose the Driver Confidence Package, available on the LT trim, and you’ll get Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These systems work together, utilizing cameras and radar to monitor road conditions and alert the driver when a potential hazard exists.
Side Blind Zone Alert works just as the name implies. If a vehicle is detected entering your vehicle’s blind zone, the system sends a visual alert to the side mirror, helping avoid potentially dangerous lane changes. Rear Cross Traffic Alert works when the Trax is in reverse. It monitors the area behind and on either side of your vehicle and displays warning triangles on the rear vision camera screen, as well as audible beeps.
The Rear Park Assist system helps drivers back up more confidently. When the vehicle is in reverse and traveling at a low speed – such as when backing into a parking space – the system sends distance alerts to help you vector into your spot without making contact with objects, like walls or other vehicles’ bumpers. This system especially comes in handy for urban drivers looking for a little support when navigating into a tight parking space.
A Compact SUV For The Modern Driver
We hope this buyer’s guide helped you get to know the 2021 Chevy Trax a little better. Nothing beats taking a test drive, though, so we recommend heading to your local Chevy dealer to kick the tires and experience everything the Trax offers live and in person. With nine different exterior paint colors to choose from and a long list of features and packages, you can outfit your Trax to suit your personal tastes.
The 2021 Chevy Trax ticks all the boxes for interested buyers. Safety, affordability, technology, and utility all combine to make the Trax a serious compact SUV contender. In a category where buyers can lose themselves navigating a dizzying array of choices, we recommend saving yourself hours of research and take a shortcut to the 2021 Chevy Trax. You won’t be disappointed.
