The 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ

After a year on hiatus, the new Chevrolet Trax Activ is the latest in the SUV/crossover parade from General Motors’ Chevrolet division. Totally reimagined for the 2024 model year, we at Napleton News think the time away was time well spent. Hop in, as we check out the latest from the Bowtie brand.

What’s the Chevrolet Trax Activ about?

The new Chevrolet Trax Activ is a longer and wider model than the copy it replaces. The year off gave the designers and engineers a chance to rethink every aspect of the Trax. We think it is better in almost every way.

Power for the Trax comes from a not-so-typical source: A 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that also powers the Chevy Trailblazer. As delivered, it produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. These numbers won’t deliver you to Victory Lane at the Daytona 500, but they will get you to your destination. The Chevrolet Trax is only available in a front-wheel drive configuration using a 6-speed automatic transmission.

How does the Chevy Trax look like on the outside?

The Chevrolet Trax is available in five trim levels. They are:

• Trax LS
• Trax 1RS
• Trax LT
• Trax 2RS
• Trax Activ

Our top-of-the-line Chevrolet Trax Activ pulls out all the stops. It includes styling, that if you squint, will remind you of the larger Chevy Blazer. Ordering a specific trim level may net you a grille designed just for that specific model.

Its wheelbase is longer and wider, which goes a long way toward improving ride quality. This gives the Trax a new “stance” that puts it in a hunkered-down position that “squats” more than just stands there.

The Trax features just enough style and good looks to make you think you are viewing a scaled-down version of the Chevy Blazer. We think that’s a good thing!

How about inside the cabin?

The interior of the new Chevrolet Trax Activ is well-sorted and offers comfort in both the front and the rear seats. The front seats provide a comfortable ride, and are covered in black “EvoTex seating material with yellow accent stitching. What’s EvoTex, you ask? Think of it as vegan leather for the non-Tesla set.

A benefit of the Trax’s new longer wheelbase, is there is a surprising amount of rear seat legroom. Those relegated to the rear seats can actually have room to move rather than sit with knees in their faces.

The Trax is loaded with a surprising amount of technology on board. Our Activ model includes an 11-inch touchscreen display and an 8-inch configurable driver display screen. There’s wireless Android and Apple CarPlay for those of both persuasions.

Add Chevy’s new safety suite, called Chevy Safety Assist to the mix of every Trax model. This package adds Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist with lane departure warning. In addition to adding safety, it also adds value to every Trax vehicle.

Driving the New Chevy Trax Activ

The 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is sufficient to power the Trax around town nicely. It even manages to save a good amount of gas, too. Where it seems to suffer, though, is when you need to react quickly. That’s whether you need to accelerate rapidly from a standing start or for a fast merge onto a highway.

Realizing this disappointing feature of the Trax will help you cope and adjust your momentum when merging. Trust us, timing will play a role because you may need to plan your entry accordingly.

Despite the lack of oomph under the hood, the Trax still offers a satisfying ride. Kudos to the engineers who designed a fair amount of sporty and firm handling to this subcompact SUV package.

Chevrolet Trax Specifications

	2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ
Engine Type	1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3 cylinder engine
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2,500
Transmission	6-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy)	30 avg / 28 city/ 32 hwy
Suspension F/R	MacPherson Strut / Compound Crank
Turning Circle	N/A
Also Available	Various trim levels.
Specs
Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Rated
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	106.0 inches
Overall Length	178.6 inches
Width	71.8 inches
Height	61.42 inches
Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row)	54.1/25.6 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	39.6 inches
Headroom, 2nd	38.1 inches
Legroom, 1st	41.9 inches
Legroom, 2nd	38.7 inches
Shoulder room, 1st row	55.7 inches
Shoulder room, 2nd row	54.3 inches