Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
One look will tell you the Trax is like no other CUV on the market. First off its subcompact city car proportions make it ultra-easy to slot in and out of busy urban traffic, let alone those tiny “Small Car” parking spots always placed closest to shopping mall entrances. Yet while small, its tall profile means that interior headroom is plentiful, allowing much more accommodating seating for taller folk than many midsize or large cars. Likewise the Trax’ cargo hold is bigger than any vehicle so small should logically provide, measuring the size of a large sedan’s trunk behind the 60/40-split rear seatbacks at 530 litres, and expanding to a surprisingly
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Visibility is critically important amid heavy traffic, and the Trax’ amply large greenhouse provides a great view forward, to the sides and rearward, improved upon by the little CUV’s generous ride height. That tall driving position only comes about via better than average ground clearance, which amplifies wheel travel and therefore ride comfort. Even bumpy roads are made surprisingly smooth thanks to the Trax’ compliant suspension, whether traversing pavement or gravel. There’s nothing particularly sophisticated about its underpinnings, with MacPherson struts up front and a compound-crank setup in the rear, but the latter makes for a car that tracks well at high speeds on the freeway not to mention through quick curves, while remaining compact enough for the aforementioned interior roominess.
That
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
As you might have guessed my test car was equipped in base LS trim, with front-wheel drive instead of optional all-wheel drive, albeit standard traction and stability control to make sure its zoomy 1.4-litre Ecotec four-cylinder’s 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque is kept in check. The engine makes the Trax blast
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Yah, I’m guessing you might not have thought the autobox Trax would come with manual mode let alone such an impressive powerplant in base LS trim by looking at its steel wheels with covers on 205/70R16 all-season rubber, although its body-colour exterior door handles and mirror housings should let on that Chevy didn’t skimp out on this little CUV runabout. Additional standard items include power remote side mirrors with helpful convex inserts, powered locks, powered windows, tilt and telescopic steering, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a driver
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
If you want to dress up your Trax further, options include heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery (thanks but I’ll stick with the great looking standard cloth), a six-way powered driver’s seat, heated driver and front-passenger seats, a seven-speaker Bose audio upgrade, satellite radio, a Chevrolet MyLink Touch infotainment system with a seven-inch colour touchscreen display (this is a great system that’s easily worth what Chevy is asking), a rearview monitor including rear park assist, a powered sliding moonroof, a 110-volt three-prong power outlet, and 18-inch alloys wrapped in 215/55 all-seasons. So equipped the Trax LTZ is one sweet looking ride, although it looks mighty fine in mid-grade LT or base LS trim too.
That
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
For that money you’ve got yourself a veritable luxury ute, albeit in half pint size, and one that will deliver comforts and performance galore while eking out a claimed 8.7 L/100km in the city, 6.5 on the highway and 7.7 combined, or better yet if you opt for front-wheel drive Chevy estimates 8.1 L/100km city, 5.9 highway
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Possibilities seem endless in the subcompact segment these days, the 2014 Chevrolet Trax proving that you don’t have to go mainstream to get a well-equipped, fun-to-drive, completely practical fuel miser.
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