Thoroughly upgraded for the new model year, the 2024 Chevy Trax represents the first model year of the Bow Tie brand’s second-generation subcompact crossover, introducing a bevy of exterior, interior, and powertrain revisions. Today, we’re taking a closer look at said powertrain updates.
Comparing the 2024 Trax’s turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine to the LIH engine found in the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer and 2023 Buick Encore GX, the revisions include.
- New single-scroll turbocharger with updated calibration
- New, stiffer forged steel crankshaft
- Revised PCV tube design with new crankcase pressure sensor
- Improved hardware and retuned harmonic balancer for improved quietness
- Improved 0-60 mph performance (GM-estimated at 8.6 seconds)
All these enhancements help bring total output to 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. The new Trax also boasts improved fuel economy over the previous-generation 2022 Trax.
In case you missed it, here’s the breakdown on the refreshed 2024 Chevy Trax. The exterior is all-new, and features proportions that are longer, lower and wider than before. A new set of dual-tier headlights – which serve as the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) – can be found on top of the front fascia, while the actual headlamps are mounted just below.
In regard to the interior, the 2024 Trax boasts an extra three inches of rear legroom and a 12 percent increase in cargo room over the first-gen model. In addition, the entry-level crossover is available with a suite of safety features, including multiple advanced safety and driver awareness technologies via Chevy Safety Assist. Moreover, Active Noise Cancelation and Adaptive Cruise Control are available on most trims, while lower trims feature an eight-inch diagonal infotainment screen, and LT, 2RS and Activ trims get an 11-inch screen.
As for structure, the 2024 Chevy Trax rides on the GM VSS-F vehicle set. Production officially kicked off on February 13th, 2023 at the GM Changwon plant in South Korea. Pricing for the starting 1LS trim level starts at $21,495, which includes the destination freight charge.
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Comments
Should have used the 1.3 instead of the 1.2 as it’s a much better engine with a lower torque curve and higher output.
Zboy: GM is just too cheap and stupid to understand that.With what they are spending on a second version of this same basic engine, they could just as well spend that same money on making the 1.3 even better and more competitive. But just like everything else GM does, they are best at being cheap and stupid.
..or have used the 1.5 so we could at least have a 4 cyl.
I agree. I won’t buy it b/c of the 1.2L engine. I think it’s too small for that car and I doubt it will be reliable at 100,000 miles. Less if not taken care of and driven more aggressively.
I believe Chevrolet doesn’t want to add higher content to the Trax like the 1.3L engine and AWD because it would directly compete against the Trailblazer. I believe if the Trax maintains its current price points, it will soon take sales away from the Trailblazer.
The Trax is much heavier than the Trailblazer so the 1.3 would have been a better choice, especially with a lower torque band and with both engines costing the same to produce. I don’t think use of the 1.3 in the Trax would steal too many buyers away from the Trailblazer especially without the 9spd AWD combo being available.
is it much heavier than the Trailblazer? I have yet to see any official “curb weight’ specs, but from the few ‘first looks’ that are out there most lead you to beleive the weights of the 2 are about the same?
I believe GVWR is about 4100 lbs if I remember correctly.
GVWR is for loaded rating. GM Korea had it estimated around 2900 – 3000 lbs, I’d guess US specs are at the higher end and above of that.
Ouch. My 03 sunfire weighed in at 2200 lbs with a 2.2L. I was expecting this to be sub 2000
Chevy should’ve done something out of the ordinary like make the new Trax the Trailblazer and make the Trax the current Trailblazer because its smaller and its been out for a while and people would accept it more as the value crossover. I still think both should be available witb AWD and maybe the Trailblazer should have standard AWD.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to drive a 2024 Trax, it was a mostly loaded LT, just missing the sunroof package. MSRP was $24.6K, I was extremely impressed with this vehicle, including the engine. Plenty of power from the 1.2L, Turbo. Tech and safely features are great especially at this price point. And I’m basing this to our 2018 Equinox Premiere 1.5L. The Trax had better safely and tech features, it’s just slightly smaller than the Equinox and no AWD option, snow tires can easily fix that.
Trax was simply better in most areas even though it’s $10K less than the Equinox (2018 price). Bang for your buck is unbelievable, If you haven’t driven one yet, you can’t complain which engine should have been under the hood, 95% of people wouldn’t notice any difference (or care) between the 1.2L and 1.3L in daily driving. Haters need to stop hating, especially with not even experiencing it in person. GM has hit a home run with the 2024 Trax.
It’s completely adequate for its intended application. I haven’t heard anything about reliability yet, but just because it is a small 3 cylinder, it isn’t doomed. Similar motors have proven reliable in other cars and motorcycles.
Tim, did you buy one?
I still don’t understand why GM can’t make a hybrid vehicle of this style. The Toyota hybrids will continue to take customers away from this size SUV. We are long way off from having the infrastructure to support all electric in the middle of the U.S.
I know GM hybrids have never sold quiet as well, but they really missed out on the “killer app” hybrids like the RAV4 and Maverick. Kinda sad they bailed on their Volt/Malibu hybrid architecture, it really just needed the right form factor.
Didn’t end up purchasing the one we took for a test drive, it’s the configuration we want minus the color. Color was Cayenne Orange Metallic, it’s extra money and we have a 2011 Inferno Orange Camaro RS so we don’t want two slightly different orange vehicles. Going to a different dealer that has a Blue Glow “in transit” with the same configuration. So far no dealer that I’ve talked to is charging more than MSRP, I found a few dealers that are discounting between $500-$750. In my area (~3 million population) I could only find one Trax in stock, next closest was $100+ miles away and it sold on Saturday. Everyone is saying they sell within a day or so (if not earlier) once it hits the lot. Again, I was amazed (and somewhat surprised) by the value of the 2024 Trax even when on paper is appears to have a underpowered engine. The engine is more than adequate, plenty of pep with the 6-speed auto.
I am on the verge of getting the new Trax. I live in the Chicago and no dealer in the area has one on the lot yet. I’ve talked to 6 dealers, 4 had a “market adjustment” (one $2,500 over sticker). The other 2 are asking sticker, not discounting. Not thrilled paying sticker, but I will not pay over MSRP.
I’m curious about the interior – material and headroom (with the new model being 4 inches less in height). Being entry-level I’m expecting a fair amount of plastic
I purchased a 2024 Buick Envista several weeks ago having owned a 2014 Lacrosse 3.6. I found the I3 a bit tepid so I installed a throttle controller from RoarPedal and a performance chip from ChipYourCar. These devices work in seamless combination to enhance the performance of of the Envista’s powertrain. Installation is very simple and well within the ability of the reluctant shade tree mechanic. The changes are not radical but they are discernable and satisfying. I have been driving my car with these mods for approximately three weeks with no problems (cel’s, warning lights, etc.) in fact, the engine seems smoother and quieter. Buy the Trax. Buy these mods.
Mike,
Did a lot of calling and visiting dealerships but we did find the one we wanted. Loaded Blue Glow LT minus the sunroof package, just waiting till it gets off the train and to the dealer, should be between 2-3 weeks. MSRP ($24.6k), $75 doc fee, license/registration and tax. Minus $500 educator discount and cash incentives from my GM card for an out-the-door price less than $24k.
The Trax needs a 1.35 turbo engine, and the Trailblazer needs a 4-cylinder 1.4 turbo engine.
Does anyone know if this 1.2L GDI engine, has a second injector behind the intake valves? My 2017 Hyundai Accent GDI is very carboned up and I’m losing gas mileage and power. Add a turbo, and now the GDI carbon problem is double. I love the new 2024 interior and exterior design.
The Trax needs four cylinders. Three cylinders are for motorcycles, not automobiles. At least not for vehicles here in America. I doubt the 3-cylinder turbo charged engine will be very reliable long term. Turbo chargers produce lots of heat and shorten engine life. Especially when the engine is pushed hard because of the power to weight scenario found in the 2024 Chevy Trax. Chevy did a nice job designing the Trax and the transmission, but really dropped the ball with the engine choice. Give the Trax a few years with engine failures due to excessive heat caused by a small turbo charged engine that had to work too hard to get the job done. Turbo charged engines produce lots of power and torque but at a cost of longevity due to extreme heat. I had a 2009 Chevy HHR SS with a 5-speed manual trans and that little 4 cylinder with a turbo charger was a blast to drive and for what it was, quite quick. Quater mile time was 14.02 seconds and capable of 150 mile and hour top end speed. Had to sell the car due to moving into a new home. Wish I still had it. My darling Beagle Tootsie who is no longer on this side of the vale, did not riding in that car due to its quick acceleration when the turbo charger spooled up. Sorry Toots, for doing that to you.
Instead of trying to redesign the TRAX, I actually bought one. It now has about 500 miles on it and I am really getting to like the car. I wanted a small 5-door as I no longer needed a large vehicle. I had some learning to do since the Trax has all the modern warning systems and gadgets I didn’t expect to find in a lower priced car. I won’t win any drag races, but the car does everything I will need for everyday driving. The engine will most likely not last as long as a similar Toyota, Subaru, or Honda that costs $15,000 more, but I am of an age where it will probably outlast me, so I’m fine with it. I agree that some of the available colors are a little bit much, but that is personal preference. I got a color I like. I find it a lot of car for not too much money and I am happy with my purchase.