The Chevrolet Trax – called the Chevy Tracker in Russia and several other markets, the Chevy Seeker in China, and the Holden Trax in Australia and New Zealand – is a subcompact crossover that went on sale starting with the 2013 model year. The 2013 model year was released globally with the exception of North America. GM made the Trax available in the United States starting with the 2015 model year.
GM Korea originally developed the Gamma 2 platform used for the Trax as the basis for multiple small, entry-level unibody crossovers around the world as part of GM’s badge-engineering strategy. The platform currently underpins the Buick Encore and the Opel Mokka in addition to the Chevy Trax.
The Chevy Trax currently spans two generations, with the second newly launched in 2023. The second-gen Trax has significantly different dimensions than the first-gen vehicle and features a new exterior. Differences also exist in the trim level lineups for each generation.
First Generation
The first generation of the Chevy Trax entered development in 2008 and made its first public appearance four years later at the Paris Motor Show. The subcompact crossover launched in 2013 as a 2013 model year vehicle in all of Chevy’s global markets except the USA.
Designed to be an entry-level vehicle, the 2013 Chevy Trax slotted under Chevy’s other CUVs, including the Chevy Captiva, Captiva Sport, and Chevy Equinox. Chevrolet began selling the 2015 Chevy Trax in the U.S. market starting in early calendar 2015. The vehicle launched with three trim levels – the base LS, the LT, and the range-topping LTZ trims.
The first generation Trax featured a stubby, bulbous body style reminiscent of other Korean, Japanese, and Chinese subcompacts. The turbocharged 1.4L I-4 LUV engine was rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The Trax came with FWD as standard and AWD as optional, with both drivetrains paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The interior offered decent cargo space and comfort, with excellent visibility for the driver.
GM revised the trim levels several times during the first generation’s lifespan. The 2017 Chevy Trax debuted the nameplate’s mid-cycle refresh, at which time the LTZ trim was dropped from the lineup and the Premier trim introduced as its replacement. The Premier trim was later discontinued starting with the 2021 Chevy Trax.
The first-gen Chevy Trax was produced at two locations, the GM Bupyeong factory operated by GM Korea and the GM San Luis Potosi factory operated by GM Mexico. The first generation of the Chevy Trax ceased production in 2019 for the Chinese and South American markets, and was discontinued in the North American market when 2022 Chevy Trax production ended.
Second Generation
The all-new 2024 Chevy Trax is the first model year of the subcompact crossover’s second generation. GM’s overhaul of the vehicle was so thorough the automaker says it considered launching it under a new nameplate. However, it opted to bring back the Trax designation for the totally revised second-gen crossover because of name recognition among customers.
The second generation Trax debuted in China under the Seeker name in 2022, before being announced for the North American market under the Trax moniker late in that year. The crossover’s exterior is completely new, featuring the low-mounted headlights, aggressively angled LED daytime running lights, and angular bodywork borrowed from the design aesthetic of the Chevy Trailblazer, along with some cues from the Chevy Blazer.
The new Chevy Trax is approximately 10 inches longer and two inches wider than the first-gen Trax, though the first generation model is roughly four inches taller. Its wheelbase is also almost six inches longer than that of the earlier Trax. The interior is heavily overhauled Motivation is supplied by the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine developing 137 horsepower and 162 pound feet of torque, once again mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The second-gen Chevy Trax drops the Gamma 2 platform and instead rides on the GM VSS-F vehicle set. It is offered in five trim levels for the North American market, including the base LS, 1RS, LT, and 2RS, and Activ. The only drivetrain available is standard front-wheel drive (FWD). Optional AWD was dropped for the second generation to reach the model’s low price point ($20,400 MSRP for the 2024 model year).
Production of the second generation Trax takes place at the GM Changwon plant in South Korea. Dedicating the plant to production of the Trax, and not sharing the line with other models, enables more units to be produced.
Sales
See Chevy Trax sales numbers for global markets.
Discussion
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