This week, I got my hands on a car which was poles apart from the 2015 GMC Sierra I drove last week. The Chevrolet Trax is aimed at the practical, unenthusiastic driver who just wants to get from point A to point B in a safe yet comfortable environment. Targeting the subcompact crossover market, the new Chevrolet Trax looks to compete with Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport, and another popular alternative, the Kia Soul. Touted as a ‘youthful car’, here is our road test review of the 2014 Chevrolet Trax:

Style

2014 Chevrolet Trax Side Image

Coming fresh from driving a 2015 GMC Sierra, the Chevrolet Trax looks like a little baby toy. It resembles its cousin – the Sonic – and is considerably taller, making driving easier on unpaved roads. I got the top-spec LTZ version which had auto headlamps and the ‘cool’ striped hood. Although the car tries to impress with its “I-am-fun” appeal, the cute face doesn’t help its case. However, when compared to the Juke and the Soul, the Trax stands out as the best of the three, remaining subtle and not going overboard with experimental styling. Overall, it does the job.

Interior Materials and Finishing

2014 Chevrolet Trax Interior

The Chevrolet Trax is an American car and it's affordable. Thus, it comes with the cheapest form of hard plastic in its interior. The interior materials can be compared with the Ford EcoSport we tested recently – a car which also has hard plastics but is actually priced lower than the Trax. Thankfully, the Trax outperforms the EcoSport in material quality. The seats have better leather wrap and are considerably more comfortable. However, expect noticeable wind and road noise at speeds as low as 70 km/h.

Interior Space and Visibility

Interior Space of 2014 Chevrolet Trax

Initially, I was apprehensive about the interior space as the Trax looked small, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of interior space. Even with the seats fully pushed back, there was enough legroom for rear passengers to get in and out comfortably. While it’s not like sitting in a full-size SUV, it’s rather impressive for its class. Boot space is also adequate.

Regarding visibility, the car's compact dimensions mean better judgment, making it easy to maneuver through tight spots. Every turn became intuitive, and I didn’t have to look left and right repeatedly while exiting the parking lot. These factors are important in daily driving, and the Trax delivers.

Interior Features and Technology

Technology Features of 2014 Chevrolet Trax

The top-spec LTZ trim comes loaded with all possible technology features. I was thoroughly impressed by this aspect. It included rear park assist with a camera, traction control, USB/AUX connectivity, 6 airbags, touchscreen, Bluetooth, fog lamps, steering wheel controls, cruise control, electro-chromatic mirrors, a compass, and a driver’s power seat. Overall, Chevrolet understood the practical requirements of today’s driver and equipped the Trax with all the necessary features.

Power and Transmission

Engine of 2014 Chevrolet Trax

The 2014 Chevrolet Trax is powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 138 BHP and 175 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in FWD and AWD, the LTZ comes only in AWD. I was thoroughly disappointed in this area. Given its small size, the engine could have been more powerful. I expected it to perform similarly to the 1.5-liter engine in the Honda City, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. This engine is slow and becomes quite noisy, requiring me to ease off the accelerator due to the deafening sound. In highway conditions, the Trax struggled, taking a dismal 13.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h, far from the claimed 10-11 seconds range. Paddle shifters do not significantly improve acceleration time. The Trax is best suited for city driving, achieving an average fuel economy of 8.7 l/100 km during the test run, which is good for practical consumers. While the drive is great for the city, highway driving will be a major challenge.

Handling, Brakes, and Suspension

2014 Chevrolet Trax Wheel

Where the Trax fails in highway performance, it redeems itself in handling. Its compact dimensions make it a joy to navigate through traffic. It feels like driving a Toyota Yaris – just a bit taller and with better visibility. The low power gives a false sense of hooliganism, and the car responds remarkably well. It is as easy to control as the Honda City we drove recently, with braking performance that is comparable. During the test run, it took 3.8 seconds to stop from 100-0 km/h. However, the brakes felt squishy and lacked feedback. While the steering is adequate for city driving, it is not ideal for highway use. Overall, the Trax performs as expected for a compact car, with body roll and understeer in corners typical for its class.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Trax is a cheerful crossover that doesn't overreach. It recognizes its position in the market and provides a practical option for daily commuters looking for fun yet affordable transportation with superior ground clearance. Its adorable smiley face adds to its appeal, making it a great choice for urban families with commuting needs.