Normally, carmakers would like to keep any information about their upcoming vehicles locked up tight. Despite the presence of embargos and non-disclosure agreements, some outlets though just let information slip out whether accidentally or on purpose. Chevrolet, however, did something different. Weeks before its Philippine launch, they let us have a crack at their all-new 2024 Trax.
It’s a signal perhaps, of how things will be moving forward for Chevrolet in the Philippines. With its distributor, The Covenant Car Company, Inc., now putting their full weight back behind the bowtie brand, there’s a lot to be excited about. There’s a renewed spring in their step, and it’s only matched by a revitalized product offering starting with the new-generation Trax.
Now, as far as crossovers go, the first-generation Trax didn’t really stand out. By far, it’ll be remembered for its forgettable potato-like styling and even more forgettable driving dynamics. Chevrolet, it seems, knows this and that’s why for the second-generation model, they’ve gone back to the drawing board to create the crossover you see here.
First, a bit of clarification. The Trax, at least in the Philippines, isn’t Chevrolet’s entry-level or cheapest offering. The range starts at P 1,793,888 for the base LT and goes all the way up to P 1,948,888 for the RS (the mid-trim Redline featured here is P 1,866,888). This puts it above the Trailblazer and its P 1,518,888 to P 1,701,888 price range. It sounds even crazier given that the Trailblazer offers a larger engine and more SUV-like styling. Dig deeper though, and working to the Trax’s favor would be more interior room and better equipment.
Whether that makes sense or not is something best left to the marketing pundits; but from a product perspective, because it’s no longer saddled by having to appeal to the SUV crowd, the Trax fully embraces its crossover positioning. As such, Chevrolet could make it lower, roofline-wise. Together with the longer body, it delivers a dramatic transformation that could be equated to being a spiritual successor to the short-lived Cruze compact sedan more than the original Trax.
In a space occupied by about a dozen different choices, Chevrolet went above and beyond when it comes to styling. This is one of those crossovers that make you look back at it, and that’s not something that happens every day for a vehicle in this segment.
Another big plus working in the Trax’s favor is that Chevrolet could finally optimize its drivetrain. No longer requiring an all-wheel drive version (all Trax variants, even globally are solely front drivers), engineers plopped in an unlikely engine: a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine. Don’t let the dinky displacement fool you, though. Thanks to a turbocharger and direct fuel injection, it makes decent numbers: 137 horsepower and 220 Nm. Together with a modest curb weight, the century mark takes about 8.5 seconds which is faster than the likes of the Subaru XV/Crosstrek and the non-turbo Honda HR-V.
As with most engines that rely on boost for grunt, the Trax does have a case of turbo lag. At the initial pedal stroke, it’s lethargic. It’s only when the needle hits the 2,300-rpm mark does it become exciting. For as long as you keep the engine singing in that rev range, there’s plenty of zip to go around whether merging on the highway or climbing up a winding mountain road. A bonus is that the engine note is surprisingly interesting.
Eschewing the common-for-its-class CVT for a torque converter 6-speed automatic also adds to the feeling of responsiveness. Generally, the gearbox delivers smooth shifts and despite being tuned for eco driving (it tries for the highest gear possible), the flat torque curve means there’s no struggle to get the Trax up to speed. Sadly, fuel economy is a low point. Despite its miniscule displacement, it delivers just 11.11 km/L in the city.
On the road, the Trax will please most buyers with its comfort-oriented setup. It has surprising ride refinement, easily rounding off bad bumps with minimal fuss. Even better, it rolls down the road with a substantially solid feel. At higher speeds or through twisty roads, its handling is secure and there’s minimal body lean in corners. Now, if only the steering were a match to the chassis’ capabilities. As it stands, the ratio’s just too slow, requiring more input than you’d expect, even for gentler turns.
From the inside, the Trax works, mostly. It’s roomy, with a pleasantly low dashboard that opens up an expansive view forward and to the sides. Styling is a plus with the big, round vents at the end, the Camaro-like center air vents beneath the central touchscreen, and the touches of sporty red accents placed throughout. Build quality is tight, even if the materials used are less than plush. The dashboard and door panels are made of hard plastic. Thankfully, the major controls like the steering wheel, stalks, and buttons are alright.
Finding a comfy driving position is easy thanks to a driver’s seat that moves eight ways electronically. Plus, the tilt/telescopic steering wheel offers plenty of adjustment. The seats are mounted low, like a hatchback, while offering ample support even for long trips. The rear seats offer generous knee room and decent support. There’s even a flat rear floor helping seat three abreast. At the back, the cargo space is up 170 liters from before—1,405 liters with the rear seats down.
The centerpiece of the Trax’s interior is no doubt its digital gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment system combo. The 8-inch/11-inch screen setup features sharp graphics and easy-to-read fonts. The 11-inch screen needs some time to master, but because the menu structure is flat, it becomes intuitive to use after some time. Weirdly enough, despite the generous screen size, the display only allows one bit of secondary information such as trip data or to be displayed on the driver’s gauge cluster. Also, if you want to change the data displayed, you’ll have to look for it via the infotainment system and then select, “display in cluster.” Given the digital real estate, it’s confusing and a wasted opportunity. The inability to use the steering wheel controls to change things is also odd.
Chevrolet did a good job in equipping a long list of standard safety equipment on the Trax. Aside from the usual gamut of airbags, ABS with EBD, and vehicle stability control, it also gets a suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. Like Honda’s wide view monocular camera-based system, it works fine in the Philippine setting even if there are numerous periods where it gets momentarily “blinded.” It even displays some cool information such as your following distance to the vehicle in front (in seconds based on your current speed) and when it detects pedestrians in its path.
All in, the Trax represents a Herculean effort from Chevrolet to come up with a model that is an improvement in every single area. One may argue that the goal post wasn’t really high to begin with, and while that’s true, you can’t take away the fact that this Trax is better in every single way. Filipinos will certainly balk at the price, and they have the right to do so. Still, this isn’t your typical sequel. Not only has the Trax grown, it also happens to look great, a more comfortable and modern interior, and is loaded with tech. It also drives and handles very well.
|
2024 Chevrolet Trax Redline |
|
| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Head-turning design, well-packaged interior, standard ADAS. |
| Cons | Ho-hum fuel economy, interior materials not as premium, expensive. |
| TL;DR | A signal of how Chevrolet wants to move in the Philippines and we're liking it. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2023 |
| Warranty | 5 years / 100,000 kilometers |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Compact Crossover |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.2 |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I3 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) | 137 @ 5,000 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 220 @ 2,500-4,000 |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | 6 AT |
| Cruise Control | Yes, Adaptive |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) | 11.11 km/L @ 19 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 50 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,537 |
| Width (mm) | 1,823 |
| Height (mm) | 1,567 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,700 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,345 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam Axle |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electric, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires | Goodyear Assurance Finesse 225/55R18 H (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 35 (all) |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | No |
| Parking Camera | Yes, Rear |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Other Safety Features |
Hill Start Assist Hill Descent Control Following Distance Indicator Lane Departure Warning Lane Keep Assist Low Speed Imminent Collision Braking Front Pedestrian Detection Vehicle Forward Movement Detection |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED, Auto High Beam |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, LED |
| Light Operation | Auto |
| Wiper Operation | Variable Intermittent |
| Tailgate | Electronic |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Manual, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Split-Fold, w/ Arm Rest |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Yes |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 8-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, Heated, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Day/Night |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Automatic, w/ Rear Vents |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 6 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
Why is this American brand building cars with smaller and smaller engines?
ReplyDeleteI was expecting Sir Uly to berate this car due to how overpriced it is but he surprisingly didn't. Its a shame really that the Trax seems like a genuinely decent car. GM's latest products are not as trashy as they once were in the 2010s and it makes me more frustrated that TCCCI missed the mark in pricing. Had this been priced from 1.5-1.7 million (TOTL at 1.7 maximum), it would be a decent competitor vs premium B-segment crossovers like HR-Vs and Corolla Crosses. Where did that pricing edge TCCCI had when MG was in your stable? TCCCI need products in Chevy's stable to make up for the loss of MG at decent prices but it seems they don't get the memo. This sort of treatment wants me to see Chevy be taken over by a competent distributor like Sojitz or see the GM mothership revive GM Philippines to manage Chevy (though that's highly unlikely sadly). TCCCI's HARI-like management of Chevy makes me want to see them fail to realize the damage they have done to the brand lately. And if they say that the Trax competes against Tucsons and CR-V, they are absolutely out of their mind. How can a 3-cylinder engine compete with C-segment crossovers lmao (Geely Azkarra aside).
ReplyDeletePrice is its biggest issue. But as a product, it's actually pretty okay. Dynamically, it's actually solid.
DeleteIf it had terrible driving at that price, I'd probably berate it to death.
DeleteBetter wait for the approval of korea-PH free trade agreement, then surely its price will go down.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is, will it actually happen? Hyundai can price their Korean-made cars well enough, why can't TCCCI? Korea-PH FTA will help lower prices sure, but in the end, the buck stops with TCCCI in getting good deals with GM Korea and their own mark-ups for the car. TCCCI isn't exactly blameless with their pricing disaster, they can't price a China-made Chevy right!
Delete(Would like to know where you get info regarding the Korea-PH FTA btw. I am not hearing any news regarding if it is in the works)
U can read it at Business world online, PHL-KOREA FTA targeted to be sign june or july 2023.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2023/03/30/514141/phl-korea-fta-signing-target-set-for-june-or-july/
DeleteSadly, it's not coming down quickly. There's a five-year phase in (based on the story). So, if it's signed, Korean vehicles will become cheaper by 2028?
DeleteIt could be sooner as korea pushing very hard on automobile while ph pushing for farms products and latest addition is nickel from ph as icing as korea needed it for EV's production. Anyway lets see once the FTA start.
DeleteTCCi killed the Chevrolet reputation in our market when it launched the underpowered and expensive Tracker at 1.25M that nowhere to be seen and the Fake TrailBlazer CrossOver at misleading 1.6M price tag. Now here comes again the new Trax 1.7M. why this Lawyer from TCCi keeps on bringing Chevy models that don't sell in our place? GM must be looking for a new partner if it's need to be competitive and stay alive among many Loyal fans of the American car Bowtie brand.
ReplyDeleteTCCI with its pricing already stall the trax on its tracks😅😅😅maybe GM should do to tcci what hyundae korea did to infamous HARI.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the Chevys of old like the Cruzes and Trailblazers? Seems no one is driving them now. Perhaps another issue of TCCI is the aftersales of their vehicles. Let's assume that the 1.7M asking price brings you more car for the price tag. What about down the road? Maybe car folks dread the feedback on longevity and price of maintenance.
ReplyDeleteCHEVROLET - Constantly Having Every Vehicle Recalled Over Lousy Engineering Techniques
ReplyDeleteChevrolet Philippines started giving away cash discounts and low down-payment plans for the New Trax in order to sell more units
ReplyDeleteGood luck to them
The next new Chevrolet vehicle that TCCCI will bring to the Philippine market is the 2024 Chevrolet Aveo which is just based on the Wuling Xingchi as replacement to the phased out Spark hatchback.
New Aveo is expected to be the new volume seller of Chevrolet in the Philippines
Now that Chevrolet PH are issuing cash discounts for up to PHP 350k for this variant (as of Feb 2024), does the new SRP of under PHP1.6MM (w/ disc.) make this the most appealing drive over other C-segment SUVs under PHP1.6MM?
ReplyDelete