When we caught our first glimpse of the 2020 Chevy Trax in August 2018, we understood that it will feature a Blazer-inspired exterior design. Today, we caught up to a convoy of second-gen Trax prototypes, enabling us to get an even better look at its design. That’s because all 2020 Chevy Trax prototypes we saw previously wore bulky cladding as part of its camouflage, but the testers in convoy we saw today are wearing a less-disguised body-hugging graphic wrap.
Up front, we see a two-tiered lighting arrangement similar to that of the 2019 Blazer. A set of slim Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that also serve as accent lights sit at the very top of the front fascia. The actual headlights reside lower on the front fascia, in large oval clusters. The primary lighting seems to use some form of a projector beam setup in the outermost part of the headlight cluster; an incandescent element can be seen on the inside of the cluster. It’s also worth noting that the front fascia is quite flat. The entire setup is very similar to that of the 2019 Blazer.
The A-pillars are be blacked out. The roofline is extremely flat and has a slight downward taper to it as it reaches the rear. The greenhouse surround features a chrome trim spanning the entire beltline. The chrome trim also lines the fore-most edge of the C-pillar / rear door frame and the execution is rather unique.
The side profile view is a good way to appreciate the shape of the liftgate, which extends slightly rearward after the glass.
The camo does a great job of masking what’s going on at the rear, especially the design of the taillights. In fact, it seems that this 2020 Chevy Trax prototype is still running with placeholder rear lights, as their design has absolutely nothing in common with the brand’s current design language.
That said, we do see a tasteful dual exhaust on one of the prototypes (the other models in the convoy don’t have a visible exhaust treatment). This tester is also wearing a set of unique wheels whose design is highly reminiscent to the wheels seen on the 2020 Silverado HD Custom.
Overall, the surface detailing of the 2020 Chevy Trax is very youthful and playful, if not slightly provocative. Given the arrival of several all-new rivals such as the Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks, all of which feature a very youthful and daring design, that’s exactly what the Trax needs in order to remain competitive in the highly-competitive B-CUV segment.
The design of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer will heavily influence that of the 2020 Trax
Spy photos of the 2020 Chevy Trax show a design similar to that of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer (pictured)
And if it wasn’t obvious before, it’s totally clear that the design of the all-new, 2019 Blazer is leaving a mark on the Trax. Other Chevy crossover SUVs will follow suit.
We’re itching to get a sneak peak at the cabin of the 2020 Chevy Trax, since we’re very curious about the direction Chevy will take in the interior department.
About The 2020 Chevy Trax
The Chevrolet Trax will be completely overhauled (redesigned and re-engineered) for the 2020 model year, representing the second generation of the Trax nameplate.
The all-new, second-gen model will ride on the new GM VSS-F platform shared with a gamut of other front-drive-based GM cars and crossovers. Under the hood will be a small-displacement turbo-charged four-cylinder engine mated to GM’s six- and nine-speed automatic transmissions. It’s possible that an optional, higher-output engine will be offered.
Notably, the second-generation Trax will not be sold as the Chevrolet Tracker in various international markets, such as South America. In those markets, the Tracker will be available as an entirely different model with a focus on lower cost and attainability. This marks a noteworthy strategic change compared to the first-generation Trax, which was sold in North America as the Chevy Trax and in various international markets as the Chevrolet Tracker.
Comments
Kinda looks like the last Saab 9-5!
I hate Blazer but really like the looks of Trax
Curious to see how different Encore and Granite end up looking. Without Opel GM now has more money to spend on GMC if it wants.
You hate the Blazer but love the looks of a car that will look like the downsized version of the car that you hate, which has yet to be released.
Hmmm. Ok. Seems like winning thinking to me!
The Encore and potential GMC model will look vastly different. Just how the blazer looks vastly different from Acadia and XT5.
Thats honestly a disgrace to what was, in my opinion, one of Saab’s most beautiful designs. But, I can only see the similarity in how the A-pillar is blacked out emphasize the roof line, or it could just be a black vehicle under the camo.
“one of Saab’s most beautiful designs.”
That isn’t a very high bar, but the 9-5 is still a good-looking car. The A pillar is also straight on both, and the chrome outline under the windows stopping at the top of the C pillar is similar.
Woo a straight A-pillar, how did I miss that? Well it could possibly be that many vehicles on the road today have a straight A-pillar… I’ll give you the chrome outline bit though, that is similar. I’m sorry, but in my opinion this design is just going to be another “grr look I’m agressive” eyebrow DRL abomination.
“Well it could possibly be that many vehicles on the road today have a straight A-pillar”
I can’t think of many since the Flex and Mini, certainly few sedans. Lincoln’s new CUV’s try for a similar effect but the color changes are all akilter because of the curves. Once you notice, it spoils their whole greenhouses.
This looks like it has a longer wheelbase and rear door to me, but I can’t tell about the width, the Trax’s major shortcoming IMO. GM really needs something between Trax and Equinox. Its greenhouse is so much better looking than Trax.
Whatever designer thinks the separate DRL “eyebrows” over the main headlight looks good, in my opinion, needs to be replaced. Fine, use it on one or two vehicles, but please don’t make it the common design theme of Chevrolet. We’ve already got it applied to the Blazer, Silverado HD, and now the Trax.
I think it looks good on the Blazer but agree with you that it’s a bad look on the HD trucks.
I’m pleased to see the tires have actual sidewalls.
I think this is a good thing. Like many, I wish the Blazer was built in the USA and I wish it had more off road credibility to keep the heritage of the name intact. IMO they could fix the latter issue with a good off road package. That said, the design itself is one of, if not the best Chevrolet has had in a long time. It really does look sharp. This will only help the Trax.
I think if GM was smart, they would offer an SS Blazer and Calso a Soft roader too.
Chevrolet needs a Soft Roading version of it’s CUV’s ala Trail Hawk Jeeps or AT4 (what a stupid name) GMC.
Call it Trail Boss or Whatever they want. I mean Toyota is offering a Rav4 version of a soft off roader.
Not that I could care a less about this segment of CUV’s but it certainly would be a smart move to put in the new more powerful 153 HP version of the 1.4T with the Noxes 170 HP 1.5T offered as an option but as we know GM just isn’t interested in car enthusiasts these days unless they are looking at Corvettes or Camaro’s.