2024 Chevrolet Trax—First Drive Impressions

The past-generation Chevrolet Trax was a subcompact crossover that made for a great city slicker. However, it did not really represent Chevrolet’s design and philosophy as it was just a rebadged Opel Mokka in the international markets. It wasn’t a bad vehicle by any means, but it wasn’t impressive either.

Now, the Chevrolet Trax is all grown up and has moved up a class. It now presents more of Chevrolet’s DNA and identity that the past generation lacked. It presents an upgrade on all fronts that actually make this crossover great to drive while exuding style as well.

The Chevrolet Trax, in its top-of-the-range RS trim, offers an enticing combination of style, versatility, and technology. During our first drive, we explored its performance, comfort, interior features, and overall driving experience. Here are our comprehensive first-drive impressions of the Chevrolet Trax RS.

When Chevrolet announced that they would be bringing in the all-new Trax in the Philippines, we were slightly skeptical, given that the old model left us a bit hanging with a blob-like exterior.

We were quickly proven wrong since the all-new Chevrolet Trax RS boasts a sporty and modern design that catches the eye. With its aggressive front grille, sleek LED daytime running lights (DRLs), and sculpted body lines, the Trax RS exudes a confident and athletic presence on the road. 

The Trax features exterior elements, such as blacked-out accents, unique front and rear fascias, and great-looking 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, which add a touch of sportiness to the overall design. It also sports additional matte-black body cladding that adds a sort of ruggedness to the vehicle. It is of note that the Trax has a lower roofline than its competitors, hence looking like a lifted wagon rather than an SUV which is also reminiscent of the Subaru XV and Outback. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. As a matter of fact, it looks very refreshing to look at and adds to the character and uniqueness of the vehicle.

Aside from the exterior, the interior is where Chevrolet has made leaps in terms of the quality of materials used and interior design compared to the past-generation model.

Stepping inside the Trax RS reveals a well-appointed cabin that blends functionality and comfort. The leather upholstery with red contrast stitching and RS embroidery adds a premium feel to the interior. The seats are supportive and offer spacious legroom and decent headroom for both front and rear passengers. We don't have exact figures, but we feel it offers the best-in-class legroom space compared to the competition.

The steering wheel is a joy to hold, with a flat-bottom design and proper dimensions, and the fact that the infotainment and controls are also angled towards the driver also means that all the controls are within reach. It’s very ergonomic and driver-oriented, and we appreciate that.

A thoughtful touch to the cabin would be the circular aircon vents which feature red accents that fit the red lines across the dashboard. It flows well, with an unimpeded form, and fits the red accents of the whole cabin. One complaint, however, would be the excessive use of piano black plastics, which are admittedly great to look at but comes at the expense of being a fingerprint magnet which could be difficult to keep clean at all times. That being said, the overall fit and finish are commendable, with quality materials used throughout the cabin that make it a great place to be during long journeys.

We do have one suggestion, however, when driving. It is best to leave the tonneau cover at home, especially when it is not needed, since it could squeak at times when passing through bumps. It could get quite annoying, especially for longer journeys with our pothole-infested roads of Metro Manila.

Chevrolet has equipped the Trax RS with a number of modern tech features. The centerpiece is the 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is intuitive and user-friendly. You can check your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), coolant temperature as well as oil life with just a quick tap. However, It only supports Android Auto, which could be a dealbreaker for those looking for Apple CarPlay for their iPhones. The RS trim also includes a six-speaker audio system that delivers respectable sound quality but needs a little more bass. There is only a backup camera available and no rear sensors or 360-degree camera, which at this price point is a bit unforgivable.

The driver, on the other hand, is presented with an eight-inch digital gauge cluster which is easy to read but a bit cumbersome to use. It takes time to get used to how to cycle through options and gauge cluster design since you have to hold the steering wheel button in order to cycle through the menus. We also found it quite weird that the audio control buttons are found behind the steering wheel, which we wished that they had just found a way to integrate that to the front and add paddle shifters instead to compliment its very peppy engine.

Overall, in the technology department, the Chevrolet Trax needs a few improvements to match up with the competition.

Speaking of the engine, under the hood, the Trax packs a peppy 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 137 hp and 220 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Now, you would probably think that it is a bad thing, and we are here to tell you that it is a great engine and is perhaps the aspect of the Trax that we like the most.

While not the most potent engine in its class, it provides adequate power for urban commutes and highway driving. The engine pairs well with a six-speed automatic transmission, which offers smooth shifts and is very responsive to driver inputs which are also thanks to its e-turbo, which gives little to no lag. The engine is peppy and is very willing to rev, which contributes to its fun-to-drive character. The engineers tuned this engine very well, and we would dare say that if General Motors were to make a motorsport version of this engine for its smaller models, it would be a great performer. Now, if only General Motors were to put paddle shifters on this thing.

The Trax RS handles well. The steering feels a bit numb but still provides just enough feedback to know what the front wheels are doing, standard as with most vehicles in its class. It is also quite composed when thrown around a corner, but its braking power needs a bit more improvement for those wanting to go for a spirited drive. Ride comfort is good. The Trax soaks up bumps very well and is unbothered by Metro Manila streets, whether in full load or light load.

All of that now leaves us with its price. At P1,948,000, the top-of-the-range Trax RS is a huge ask. However, it is also of note that this exact spec and trim is also available in the United States, which means that it fits their standards. We know that It’s probably more of an emotional decision, but we would actually recommend it if you are looking for something that is unique in its segment.

Now, the Trax isn’t anything groundbreaking, nor does it have a host of features that really set it apart, but we have to say, going back to that engine, it is indeed a fantastic piece of kit and is a huge part as to why some of us at the office don’t want to give the car back. It has character, and in today’s fast-moving world, sometimes character and soul with a good partner, which is the Trax, is perhaps all you need to remind you that life is indeed colorful.