According to new Experian data, the Chevy Trax was America’s fourth-best-selling utility vehicle in the first quarter of 2025. Number one through three were the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Tesla Model Y, in that order. Experian’s data also shows what new Chevy Trax buyers were driving before they got their new Trax, which shows a healthy level of GM brand loyalty.
The most popular “inflow” vehicle for the new Chevy Trax is… the Chevy Trax. 15.39 percent of new Trax buyers in Q1 2025 were upgrading from another Chevy Trax, most of which were presumably first-gen models. The next most popular was the Chevy Equinox, which was the previous ride of 10.28 percent of Trax buyers. Next up are the Chevy Trailblazer at 5.77 percent and the Chevy Malibu at 4.74 percent.
Experian also measures the top four inflow models from other makes, all of which represented under two percent each for new Trax buyers. The Ford Escape represented 1.39 percent of Trax buyers, followed by the Buick Encore at 1.32 percent, the Buick Encore GX at 1.22 percent, and the Hyundai Elantra at 1.12 percent.
These numbers show a high level of GM brand loyalty, but Honda and Toyota still have GM beat in this category. Impressively, a whopping 41.83 percent of new Honda CR-V buyers are people who already owned a Honda CR-V, and 33.26 percent of Toyota RAV4 buyers are coming from a Toyota RAV4. This goes to show the strength of sticking to one nameplate for decades and building up its reputation.
The bad news for Honda and Toyota is that Tesla is chipping away at their owners’ loyalty. The Experian study shows that behind the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3, the most popular inflow cars for Tesla Model Y buyers are the Honda CR-V at 2.46 percent and the Toyota Camry at 2.4 percent. They’re followed by the Toyota RAV4 at 2.3 percent and the Honda Accord at 2.26 percent. This indicates that Honda and Toyota owners, who tend to focus on value, practicality, and reliability, are seeing Tesla as the closest EV analog to the trusted brands they’re coming from.
Unlike its biggest Japanese rivals, GM has a robust and growing North American portfolio of electric vehicles across three brands, ranging from affordable crossovers to capable trucks to luxury vehicles. According to these numbers, GM’s electric offerings appear to be keeping existing GM owners away from Tesla stores.
Comments
Consumer Reports just gave the Trax an unflattering nod, saying that you give up too much for that low price. Engine power was uneven, seats are uncomfortable and so on. So this might not last to the extent it’s been doing. We have a ’24 Encore GX (and its seats are uncomfortable but she loves them) and I don’t think I’d give up a lot to get into a Trax, either.
About 30 years ago I started taking Consumer Reports ratings of vehicles with a grain of salt. They would knock down a vehicle for petty silly reasons that had nothing to do with owning/driving a vehicle. I haven’t read any of their reviews in a long time.
DEAR B_TCHY. I owned a 2021 Encore . Loved it.Engine function on both Encore + Trax is terrific gas milage too. If your car SEATS were UNCOMFORTABLE perhaps it was not the car SEATS that were da problem. BUTT some other kind of SEATS. ??? Some are TOO big SOME are TOO small others are just right.??? No offence intended Interpretered different
ways.
You’re right, as for the seats, fine to me. We got our ’25 Trax about 2 months ago, went with the base LS model with the package that gives you the nice wheels, heated seats, etc and have been pleased. I prefer the old school speedo an tach over the digital dash that really doesn’t do anything but use up precious data processing power. With the LS the computer “chip” isn’t having to run all the “fluff” dash lights, etc. The Android phone setup works great, no problems.
This is the old women vehicle segment and like I’ve said before, getting them away from their CR-Vs and RAV-4s is difficult. They LOVE them.
Rav-4 and CR-V are a larger class of vehicle, not a subcompact. So only those folks that want to downgrade would want a Trax.
I would say ‘downsize’ instead of ‘downgrade’.
My 2005 Rav4 is 166 inches long. My 2016 Rav4 is 181 inches long The 2025 Trax is 178 inches long
And yet the Trax feels larger…..
I’d say “formerly” old woman, as it really is the basic unit segment more than anything else. This is an entry level car, budget car, or daily driver for an individual who doesn’t need a large vehicle. It’s is significantly more sporty and utilitarian than almost any other car in its class, or even a class up. It kinda reminds me of my college car, a Pontiac Sunfire, which was a manual Chevy cavalier with a faux spoiler, but it was so light it was a fun car to drive!
Just wish they had a version with the 2.0 and sport shocks. Be a heck of a hot hatch!
Some people are misguided. Afraid to admit they made a mistake. What have you got against “OLD WOMEN”. ???? YOu OWE them an apoligy. Your mommy is now a “OLD WOMAN is she not.?? Go tell that to your MOMMY.
I dont understand. Why would you step down to a Trax from those vehicles mentioned? The Trax has been immensely successful for gm, and should be a standard on what to do in todays tough auto market. I was here thinking that it was these same CRV RAV4 and Model Y owners buying the Trax as the 2nd vehicle, or for their older teenage and young adult kids as their first vehicle.
Price. Price. Did I mention price? Replace a 10 year old CRV or RAV4 now with a new one. The one they bought 10 years ago is about where a Trax is priced now. CRV and RAV4 are both $30,000-40,000 vehicles.
You’re right. Wasnt looking at it from that angle. Excellent observation, thanks.
Price. Yes, price is a concern for most people. Long term cost is also a concern for those that think long term. The original purchase price is only part of the cost. What’s going to be the TOTAL cost of owning the vehicle. My 2005 Rav4 has 195K trouble free miles.
Id probably do a Chevy Colorado or a muscle cars before a Rav4 TBH. I’m a a low gas state, but where RAV4’s start these days, I’m looking at the same price or better for an entry Colorado or mustang. The mustang doesn’t take much of a fuel hit, but insurance would get me a little. For a couple extra dollars, I could get a car that’s fun as well as practical. Toyota and Honda have gotten really pricey here as of late.
Bravo. Our family own 2 trax . Best vehical G.M. ever built. I*m 70 years old.
I*m 70 ? OH DA HORROR when did I get so old.?? But still beautiful like my TRAX.
NEW AND IMPROVED TOO inside + out. I*m now sticking my TONGUE out atyou.
I might be the only one that switched from a GM product to a 2024 RAV4, lol. I’ll only buy V8s from GM, that’s just me tho.
Don’t mean to be a downer, but who else CAN you buy a V8 from???
Ford and soon from RAM/Dodge again.
Wait, Camry’s must have a V8, after all NASCAR let’em in. Oh wait, Camry’s never had a V8. How’ed they get into the Cup Series?
I traded a ’19 Encore for a ’24 Trax Activ. I’m at a point where a cheap new car does what I need. Reasonably economical, fresh factory warranty, latest infotainment / safety tech. The only thing I miss is a motorized tailgate, but I’m just lazy that way. I’ve had Cadillacs, including a CTS-V, in the past, but cars are just appliances now. The Chevy Trax fits that bill just fine.
We have a new one and love it all the way around.
Trax made in Mexico and South Korea – designed in China by SAIC.
Need to support American engineering & manufacturing. Especially after the generous bailouts Gubmint motors got from us taxpayers – this is a slap in the face.
No. Thanks.
People have short memories. Back in the 1980*s G.M. Ford + Chryler workers gave up
a lot of wages + benefits ( UNION WORKERS) to save these companies. Never get any credit for it.
Do some research . .G.M. paid interest on those loans. Taxpayers lost.?? Your brain is “LOST”. Sure ALL those WORKERS that were not in the unemployment lines or on
Govt. assistance. They were working BUTT DID NOT pay TAXES on those earning.???
I bet you buyers are fond of the 3cyl or EV or Mary’s cheap interion material …
CHEAP SHOT. CARS are 4 cylinder. What are you YAPPING ABOUT???
You OBVIOUSLY do not have a CLUE as to what a CHEAP MATERIAL IS.
I BET I*M RIGHT !!!!
You get what you pay for. I’m not ready to go cheap.
We’re all very happy for you and wish you will never have to go cheap due to circumstances beyond your control. Fate has no favorites.
I bought a ’24 Trax in November fiery red. I love it. It’s a fast takeoff from stop. I have beat Mustangs and Vettes. I am an old lady but still want a stylish car and Trax is it. Roomy, comfortable, fancy wheels and great pickup. I have owned T-Birds, Hyundai’s, and 2 Chevy’s and the Trax is my favorite.
Your Trax is faster than a Vette????