2016 Chicago Auto Show: The 2017 Chevrolet Trax: Comments

[Drew Dowdell]

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It may seem a little early to those of us in the U.S., but Chevy is giving the Trax a makeover for 2017. In the U.S., the Chevrolet Trax has only been on sale for about 13 months, but for other markets it has been around since 2013.

 

The refresh is mostly cosmetic. The current 1.4T 4-cylinder with 138 hp and a 148 lb-ft of torque, and 6-speed automatic carry over.

 

On safety, the Trax now has available side blind-zone, rear cross traffic, lane-departure, and forward collision alerts.

 

The front fascia is all new and moves the Trax in visual line with the 2016 Malibu and Cruze. The interior has been updated with a new Chevy MyLink infotainment system that includes Apple Car Play and Android Auto in a 7" diagonal screen, along with an updated gauge cluster.

 

 

2015 was the first full year on the market for the Trax and Chevy sold 63,303 of them, making it the second best selling car in its class, right behind the Buick Encore.

 

The Chevrolet Trax is sold as the Chevrolet Tracker and Holden Trax in other market, so we should expect to see those models get the same updates.

 

 

Chevrolet Press Release on Page 2


CHICAGO – Building on its early success and the rapid growth of the segment, Chevrolet today introduced the 2017 Trax – a more expressive take on one of America’s best-selling small SUVs.

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Contemporary design elements, including an all-new front-end appearance, and a new premium interior compose the visual updates, while new available active safety features and a new infotainment system – with available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – expand its range of customer-focused technologies.

 

“In the fastest-growing segment, Chevrolet Trax’s momentum is sure to continue with great design enhancements, premium details, and the latest technologies,” said Steve Majoros, director of marketing, Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers. “Features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and four new active safety features offer customers more than most competitors – and at an entry-level price.”

 

With sales of 63,303 in 2015 – its first full year on the market – the Trax quickly climbed to the second-best-selling small SUV in America. It is also ranked in the top three globally, achieving more than 400,000 sales in 73 markets since its launch in late 2012. China and the United States are its top markets.
In the United States, more than half of Trax’s customers with a trade-in turned in something other than a Chevrolet. Trax also attracts nearly 60 percent female customers – the highest percentage in the brand’s entire lineup.

 

“With the Colorado and Trax, Chevrolet and our dealers are able to offer brand-new entries in fast-growing segments, which helps bring new customers to Chevrolet,” said Majoros. “And with other new vehicles such as the Cruze Hatchback and Bolt EV, we will continue to attract new customers to the Chevrolet franchise and continue to grow market share, as we did in 2015.”

 

The 2017 Trax goes on sale this fall, offered in LS, LT and new Premier trims.

 

Contemporary design

 

The Trax’s fresh, contemporary appearance reflects the modern face of Chevrolet around the globe. A new grille and headlamps echo the styling elements seen in new Chevrolet models such as the Malibu, Cruze and Volt.

 

“It’s a more sculptural, sophisticated design,” said Steve Kim, Chevrolet Trax designer. “There’s also a sporty streak in the new styling that speaks to the Trax’s agile, fun-to-drive personality.”

 

The front fascia is all-new and incorporates Chevrolet’s new proportioned dual port grille. New, sleek headlamps flow around the corners and into the front fenders. Trax LS models feature new halogen reflector headlamps and uplevel LT and new Premier models have halogen projector headlamps with LED signature lighting. Chrome also accents the outboard fog lamp bezels.

 

At the rear is a new fascia and dual taillamps, with the Premier model featuring LED signature lighting. The Premier is also offered with new 18-inch aluminum wheels.

 

Premium interior
A modified instrument panel is the foundation for the 2017 Trax’s premium interior enhancements. It interprets Chevrolet's signature dual-cockpit design more expressively, with an upper dashboard hood that flows uninterrupted across the panel to enhance the perception of spaciousness.

 

The redesigned center instrument panel features greater visibility of a new 7-inch-diagonal MyLink color touch screen and Galvano chrome trim on the instrument panel and console contribute to the Trax’s premium ambiance. Premier models are offered with contrasting-color instrument panel trim that matches their leatherette seating trim.

 

“Customers will really notice the elevation in the Trax’s interior design and attention to detail,” said Kim. “It’s an environment that transcends segment boundaries, offering rich, premium appointments and seamless integration of the technologies they rely on most.”

 

Also new for 2017 is the instrument cluster, which features a new gauge display with prominent analog speedometer and tachometer readouts along with digital displays from the standard driver information center.

 

Enhanced connectivity
The 2017 Trax offers a new 7-inch diagonal infotainment system designed to support the latest connectivity technologies, including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.

 

With the 4G LTE connection, Trax allows passengers to connect up to seven personal devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to high-speed wireless Internet. Keyless Open and Start also add to the Trax’s roster of available new technologies.

 

New active safety features

 

New active safety features are designed to help alert drivers to potential crash situations. They are available depending on the model and include:

• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
  

Additional crash-avoidance technologies include a standard rearview camera. Trax also features 10 standard air bags.

 

Turbocharged performance

 

Returning for 2017 is the Trax’s Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is rated at an SAE-certified 138 horsepower (102 kW) and 148 lb-ft of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 and 4,900 rpm.

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[ccap41]

Thank god. The Trax looked so old when it first arrived here. This update makes it look so much better. Looks like it should actually be class competitive now. 

[ocnblu]

A nice transformation, and very welcome.  All of the updates are worthy and should allow Chevy to really up the ante in this crazy growing segment.  I actually would not mind owning one.  Looks great!

[G. David Felt]

Would be cool if Chevy had some performance packages you could add to the Little Trax.

[ocnblu]

I still think it would be wicked as a tiny Z71... but with Chevy calling their top trim Premiere instead of LTZ, they send a clear signal that this is a car, not a truck... even though for EPA purposes, they prolly want it called a truck.

 

Hey Drewbert, on your registration for the Encore, does it say "SW" for station wagon?

[cp-the-nerd]

I can't get excited for this while it still uses the old 1.4T.

[thedriver]

doesnt work for me, they forced the current design language onto the old body. not that the other face looks a lot better. . . 

[smk4565]

Looks better, looks more in line with their other models.

[Cory Wolfe]

I wish they would have done more with the rear, but I suppose those changes would have been more expensive. Those taillights are still probably my least favorite part of the vehicle, even sans the frumpy front fascia of the pre-refresh. Even so, this refresh is a massive improvement overall. If the material quality inside improves to the point where it's at least on par with its rivals, it could be enough to convince more people to not buy an HRV. 

[regfootball]

looks good.  saw a new spark tonight on a lot i trolled and this front end is pretty close to exactly the same look.  new spark really looks good btw

[daves87rs]

Much, much better....

[Drew Dowdell]

I still think it would be wicked as a tiny Z71... but with Chevy calling their top trim Premiere instead of LTZ, they send a clear signal that this is a car, not a truck... even though for EPA purposes, they prolly want it called a truck.

Hey Drewbert, on your registration for the Encore, does it say "SW" for station wagon?

I'll try to remember to look when I'm home. I know the CR-V is listed as a wagon.

[ocnblu]

 

I still think it would be wicked as a tiny Z71... but with Chevy calling their top trim Premiere instead of LTZ, they send a clear signal that this is a car, not a truck... even though for EPA purposes, they prolly want it called a truck.

Hey Drewbert, on your registration for the Encore, does it say "SW" for station wagon?

I'll try to remember to look when I'm home. I know the CR-V is listed as a wagon.

 

OK, not an emerg or anything, thanks.

[Frisky Dingo]

They fixed the only wrong with it. Good job.

[ccap41]

I can't get excited for this while it still uses the old 1.4T.

This reminds me of the 2.0T in the Escape and Fusion. I don't know why the Escape gets the new one in '17 but the Fusion doesn't. 

[cp-the-nerd]

 

I can't get excited for this while it still uses the old 1.4T.

This reminds me of the 2.0T in the Escape and Fusion. I don't know why the Escape gets the new one in '17 but the Fusion doesn't. 

 

 

I agree with you, but if I had to make a guess, it's because the Escape 2.0T is the top engine and the Fusion gets the new sport model, so they don't care that the old 2.0T is essentially filling the place of the 3.0L duratec. That's just an assumption. In a perfect world, using the best new version of an engine makes the most sense.

[Robert Hall]

 

I still think it would be wicked as a tiny Z71... but with Chevy calling their top trim Premiere instead of LTZ, they send a clear signal that this is a car, not a truck... even though for EPA purposes, they prolly want it called a truck.

Hey Drewbert, on your registration for the Encore, does it say "SW" for station wagon?

I'll try to remember to look when I'm home. I know the CR-V is listed as a wagon.

 

Hmm...I need to check the registration on my sister's '15 Trax..see what it is listed as. 

 

Edit: checked-- the Trax and my Jeep have '4DSW' on the registrations(AZ)...it may vary state-by-state.... IIRC, the Colorado registrations on my Jeep and my Bronco before that also said SW.   Maybe some states don't have a specific category for SUV or CUV, probably because their ancient back office software systems predate the rise of the SUV/CUV categories...

Edited February 15, 2016 by Cubical-aka-Moltar