GM is set to launch an all-new, next-generation Chevy Trax for the 2023 model year. Just yesterday, GM Authority reported that the 2023 Chevy Trax will have a more traditional crossover shape, instead of being a crossover coupe. And now, our eagle-eyed spy shooters caught a prototype of the next-gen Trax undergoing testing – giving us our first glimpse of the upcoming model.
The overall shape of the prototype confirms that the next-gen Trax will, in fact, be a traditionally-shaped CUV with upright proportions. It also appears to be smaller than the current Chevy Trailblazer, though understanding its exact dimensions is no easy task. Meanwhile, the design direction appears to be similar to that of the aforementioned Trailblazer, albeit with several notably different elements.
Up front, we see a stout front fascia with a two-tiered headlight configuration similar to that used on the Trailblazer. Interestingly, the headlights worn by this tester are placeholders, similar (if not the same) as the ones used on initial prototypes of the upcoming Chevy Blazer EV. We’re also seeing cues of the 2023 Chevy Colorado within the front fascia, particularly the grille.
The side profile eschews the current model’s relatively bland and soft styling in favor of an angular shape and surface development. In fact, the prototype’s profile has Trailblazer overtones, albeit with signs of smaller proportions. For instance, this 2023 Chevy Trax prototype has internal window frames within the rear doors, likely as a result of its shorter wheelbase and – as a result – overall length. However, it would seem that this Trax prototype is slightly larger than the current Trax, a change that would likely result in more generous cargo space.
Take note that this prototype is missing the wheel and door trim, which will likely come in the form of a dark plastic trim. A set of silver wheels with black accents gives the small CUV a very modern appearance.
The rear end, meanwhile, continues with the upright motif, which can particularly be seen aft of the B-pillars. Though obfuscated by camo, it would appear that the C-pillar is a large piece of sheetmetal spanning the length of the cargo area. A set of horizontally-oriented tail lights – placeholders in this case – adorns the rear hatch.
They’re complemented by a set of horizontally-oriented reflectors within the bumper cover. Speaking of the bumper cover, it has a rather steep rake to it – suggesting that the 2023 Chevy Trax might be positioned as an off-road-oriented crossover similar to the Ford Bronco Sport – which has been seeing healthy levels of success.
Also note the 2023 Chevy Trax prototype’s CHMSL – Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp, which is integrated within the prominent rear spoiler, while a single, centrally-mounted reverse light is creatively placed at the bottom end of the rear bumper cover. Dual exhaust outlets are present and accounted for, likely feeding off a single, transversely-mounted muffler.
Other elements to take in include the blocky roof rails, which perhaps give more credence to the notion that Chevy will position this product as a more off-road-oriented model to take on the Bronco Sport. Additionally, the roof-mounted comms fin differs from the fin-feeding-an-antenna setup of the Trailblazer. Finally, the window within the rear hatch has some prominent (and seemingly blocky) aero elements at its sides.
2021-2023 Chevy Trailblazer
The current-generation Chevy Trax is slated for discontinuation after the 2022 model year, with production ending in the third quarter of the 2022 calendar year. Per GM Authority’s earlier exclusively reporting, the next-generation 2023 Chevy Trax will be revealed later this fall on October 12th. For reference, the current-generation Chevy Trax hit the U.S. market in 2015.
Current-generation, 2022 Chevy Trax
Providing motivation will be a small-displacement engine with turbocharged aspiration, while output will be directed through the front wheels as standard. An all-wheel drive setup should be optional. Under the new body panels, the 2023 Chevy Trax will ride on a variant of the GM VSS-F vehicle set.
When it launches, the 2023 Chevy Trax is expected to be relatively affordable, especially with the Chevy Spark set to exit the U.S. market after the the 2022 model year. Chevy Spark production ended at the GM Changwon plant in South Korea late last month, with the final order cycle completed in June.
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Comments
What’s up with the camo cladding? We more or less knows what it looks like.
Make the Trax the size of the Trailblazer now, and make the Trailblazer on the new Colorado platform. More rugged and off-road worthy, Bronco rival. Maybe I should run GM instead of old Mary?!?!
And you would tank GM with decisions like that. GM is extremally profitable which is what you want, and that means making some decisions to upset a few (the enthusiasts) for the many (the regular consumers). A Bronco rival would not sell very well for very long, it is a saturated market with a vehicle that is horrible outside of its one dimension (off road) which most don’t use them for. That is why you see so many Wranglers and Broncos changing hands, they live with a it a short time, see the horrible road manners (noise, steering, handling, etc) and dump it for something that better fits their use.
Same with a Raptor fighter, that is a niche market that with two is saturated and expensive and only appeals to a small group.
Really glad you aren’t running GM, probably head down the crapper.
Not extremely profitable…… they have lost much market share and profits are only good after you add inflation into the mix. Late 90’s GM is way more profitable
6.9 in 96=13 billion profits by todays standard. (Bara will get 10.8 this year, same as GM profits of thier slow year of 1994…….)
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Commonsense?? LMFAO
GM has fallen flat on their faces since old Mary took over. They offer nothing exciting to their line-ups. They have let Ram into the #2 slot for truck sales. They have let Ford/Lincoln gain sales in the fullsize SUV line-up. The Camaro is a joke, dead, and being replaced with a 4 door EV sedan, and now that Ford has released a brand new Mustang, the performance market is left to a Vette, that no one can get their hands on. EV’s are not the solution, GM will tank here in 2 years when the GOP gets back into office and changes things. Just wait!
Yes, I COULD RUN GM, or any other sane individual who actually “has” COMMONSENSE….unlike you!
Wow. I can’t wait for this CUV to come out. It’s a good thing GM is keeping the Trax a CUV because there just isn’t enough of them. I just hope it comes with all the beautiful black plastic around the bottom and wheels along with a door to door screen for a dash. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself!
Better hurry up and buy as many sedans while you can, Dan! They’re a dying breed!
Lol, what is the point… it seems like it’s going to look like the trailblazer too. Maybe they’ll make it a Subcompact 2 cylinder CUV so it doesn’t infringe in 3 cylinder Subcompact Trailblazer CUV. Not like GM has plenty of chips to spare to make redundant crossovers and being completely anti car.
In case you haven’t noticed, CUVs are the new cars of today. And yes, there’s been talk of 2 cylinders already. Get over it or buy an EV.
The license plate standard identified on the front bumper is the Chinese standard. There is also a possibility that it is a follow-up to Tracker. Since Seeker is also coming to North America, if that vehicle is released, Chevy will release too many small CUVs in the U.S.
Coming to a car rental agency near you!
I like the overall shape and if it comes around U$18000 GM will move millions of them. It looks too close in size to the TB, however.
But korean production will not be able to fullfill US demand. It’s been 2 years since the Trailblazer and it’s still hard to buy one.
The rear suspension looks like the Equinox–not the Trailblazer. I believe this may be an updated ICE Equinox instead of a Trax, unless you can really tell that the size is smaller than the Equinox.
One way one can tell is by looking at the proportion of the driver to the rest of the vehicle. It looks like it’s then smaller than an Equinox.
I agree the rear suspension looks independent and very similar to the current Equinox/Terrain. the whole vehicle looks very similar to the current Trailblazer .Maybe this is a refresh Trailblazer for 2024
Looks like they stretched it a bit, just what we need another Equinox, Trailblazer, Seeker, Traverse! I want something different, let’s have Montana or a Bronco Wrangler fighter! Come on GM wake up!
Would all you people stop whining like twi year olds because it’s not manly and off road!..yes those vehicles sell well but not for very long the Bronco is a niche vehicle and long after the new car smell is gone guess what… The Maverick will continue to sell more while the Bronco does our. The same thing happened at Jeep nobody wanted a two door wrangler anymore so they made the ugly four door wrangler… Meanwhile the more expensive Grand Cherokee is still going strong with minimal updates in twenty years… It’s basically the same as it was twenty years ago in size granted the suspension engines and interior are better. GM has been down this road to the Colorado ZR2 while it’s an awesome off road vehicle aging the regular Colorado outsells it in fact I hardly ever see a Colorado Bison or ZR2! Don’t get me wrong an off road inspired SUV from GM would be awesome but if they build one and waste money on time, tooling, building them and hardly anyone will buy expect hardcore off road enthusiasts! Me I will stick with my Equinox it suits my needs just fine and this little Trax looks very interesting!
Not a Trax. That’s an equinox. The space behind back seat window and back window is same size as the equinox. The tail lights are very similar to current equinox. The width and length match the equinox.
It would be weird to extend the Trax to same size or larger than the equinox.
Compared to the 2022 trax, this vehicle looks like it has a longer overhang at the rear of the vehicle … or maybe it’s the camouflage that makes it LOOK like there is. What if this is another refreshed ICE Equinox? Or perhaps a GMC of some sort, since it’s more “blocky” looking than current Trax/Encore.
The more I look at these photos , it seems this is larger than a Trax refresh
The curve of the top of the front door glass , the extra window frame in the rear doors , and the uptick of the rear door glass , the roof rails , rear roof antenna, the rear suspension, etc all make this vehicle have more in common with the current GMC Terrain. The GMC has a large rear panel behind the door with a small window, the panel on this vehicle looks similar .
This prototype may be a refresh on the current GMC Terrain and be used as an equinox replacement .
Also the missing cladding along the sides and wheel arches is very similar to the current Terrain.
Another similarity is the taller hood profile of this tester compared to the Terrain.
The big clue is the rear suspension that looks almost identical to the current Equinox/ Terrain
This vehicle may be a refresh of the Terrain to replace the current ICE equinox . GM did this in the past with the Saturn Outlook, when Saturn was discontinued the GMC Acadia was updated with styling from the discontinued Saturn
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Looks like a US version of the SAIC – GM Joint venture Chevy Seeker which was released in China. Word was GM was thinking of bringing it to the states to slot between the Trailblazer and the Equinox
What if this is the GMC Granite… Finally…