2021 Chevrolet Trax Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The current 2021 Trax is based on the same vehicle that was introduced for the 2015 model year. The Trax received interior and exterior design updates for the 2017 model year that continue to carry over in 2021. The 2017 model was also the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the range-topping Premier trim level was dropped from the lineup. That leaves the LS and LT trims from which to choose.

The LS comes equipped with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. It also comes standard with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, including a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A $495 package adds tinted windows and cruise control (features that are standard on nearly every other vehicle in the segment).

Moving up to the LT trim adds heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also includes upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The LT trim is available with a number of styling packages, including the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition. A Driver Confidence Package adds a number of driver assistance features and the LT Convenience Package adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and keyless open and start.

There’s only one engine offered in the 2021 Chevy Trax, and that’s a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder. It makes just 138 horsepower but an impressive 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routes power to front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD).

Around town, this engine will suffice. It will get out of its own way in a parking lot or at a stoplight. Getting up to highway speeds or even passing is a far different story. This engine struggles for additional power and makes plenty of noise the whole way.

In most driving conditions, the Trax has a firm ride that can be especially harsh over potholes and bumps in the road. The Trax has a tight turning radius that doesn’t make it any sportier, but it does provide solid maneuverability in tight spaces. This combination makes the Trax a sensible car for a city dweller.

Rivals such as the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 have more comfortable rides and are even fun to drive. You won’t find that with the Trax. If you are the patient type, Chevrolet is introducing a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax. It will make 155 horsepower and will continue to put out 177 pound-feet of torque.

The Trax offers a respectable amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. While the front seats are supportive, the rear seats have poor bolstering and will be harsh over long distances. Up front, the Trax has multiple storage trays in each door. The low cupholder placement means you can bring a large water bottle along for the ride, and it won’t interfere with your elbow.

The 2021 Trax provides 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded, the Trax has up to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The front passenger seat folds flat to accommodate larger items as well. These cargo figures are mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment. There is no option for a power liftgate or a hands-free power liftgate.

No matter which trim you select, the Trax comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that runs the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. This was an addition from the 2020 model year and is one of the highlights of the Trax. It has easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and is complemented by hard buttons and dials that surround the screen.

This infotainment system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trax also features two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 Chevrolet Trax five out of five stars in crash tests. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not give the Trax either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

The Chevrolet Trax comes standard with an array of airbags and a backup camera… and that’s it. The LT Convenience Package adds safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. That’s still woefully lacking in the driver safety department.

Many rivals in the segment come standard with forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. But you can’t even get these features as options on the Trax.

The FWD 2021 Trax returns fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 31 highway, 28 combined. With AWD, this engine returns 24 mpg city, 29 highway, 26 combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax has a base MSRP of $21,400 for a FWD LS trim. The LS with AWD has a starting price of $22,020. Moving up to the LT trim brings the price to $23,200. Adding AWD to the LT will set you back $23,800. There are a number of styling packages, none of which add more than several hundred dollars to the price.

That pricing puts it right in the middle of the subcompact SUV pack. In fact, it’s one of the backmarkers, along with underwhelming vehicles such as the Ford EcoSport and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. As a daily driver, the Trax is just fine. It has helpful technology and is good in tight spaces, but it can hardly get out of its own way, and it doesn’t offer much cargo space. If you wait for a 2022 Trax, it will receive a more powerful engine, but that doesn’t make up for its other shortcomings. Shoppers come to the subcompact SUV segment looking to get the most for their dollar. There are simply too many better options from Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia. If you are dead-set on a Chevrolet small crossover, your money may be better spent on the newer and more competent Trailblazer. That said, neither are near the front of the pack.