Business Insider Finds the Trax to be Affordable Transportation Done Right

Chevrolet’s most affordable model is not a tiny sedan or two-door hatchback, but a surprisingly stylish, spacious, and versatile crossover. Business Insider tried the Trax for a week and was impressed. Sharp Automotive gives you the highlights. 

Having Chevy’s most affordable model as a crossover makes it perfect for first-time new car buyers who are steadily acquiring items for their homes and possibly moving from one place to another. It also makes sense as an additional vehicle for economical commuting and/or covering daily household activities. For all its affordability, the Trax neither looks nor feels like an economy car. Business Insider (BI) sums it up: “The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is an attractively styled small crossover with a comfortable interior and is generally pleasant to drive.” Though the outlet drove a top-level 2RS, it was particularly impressed by the value proposition of the LT and 1RS trims, which have MSRPs of under $25K. The author goes on to say, “Dollars and cents aside, where the Chevrolet Trax really shines is that it feels more expensive than it actually is.” 

That feeling may start with the appearance. The second-generation Trax has front-end styling similar to its larger siblings like the Blazer and Equinox. Low-profile DRLs flank the upper grille and serve as the “eyes” of the vehicle’s face, while the LED headlights lie almost hidden in the corners. The body is smoothly contoured with a sporty upswing to the rear side windows.  

BI also noticed that “the Trax is one of the largest offerings in the subcompact segment with three more inches in length than the Toyota Corolla Cross and seven more inches than the Nissan Kicks.” This results in a cabin where a six-foot passenger can sit behind a six-foot driver and not feel cramped—even after a drive across the state. For such a trip, there is a generous 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats. If those seats aren’t needed, you have 54 cubic feet to fill.  

Up front, the driver has a handsome instrument panel with a bright 8.0-inch touchscreen that is wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One step up from the base 1RS and the center screen becomes a generous 11.0 inches, while the driver has a fully digital information display. On either side, the exquisitely detailed round vents from the Blazer look anything but budget-derived. Says BI: “The Chevrolet Trax is a great example of delivering an interior on a budget without it feeling cheap. It would be a stretch to call the interior luxurious or premium, but it also doesn’t punish you for being frugal. Interior quality is good, and there are plenty of soft-touch materials in the high-contact area.” 

The Trax engine gets the job done without fuss. Turbocharging the 1.2-liter powerplant offsets the small displacement, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While you won’t want to go drag racing, the power is fine for getting around town and free on-ramps. BI cites acceleration figures from Motor Trend, which timed the Trax at 8.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. All models feature front-wheel drive. While the similarly sized Trailblazer is available if all-wheel drive is a must-have attribute, never discount the effectiveness of front-wheel drive and a good set of winter tires.  

The Trax has five trim levels, and all but the top two have MSRPs of less than $25K. That is remarkable at a time when the average price paid for a new car is over $47K, and even more remarkable when you see all that the Trax offers. When you need a new car that covers all the basics and looks good while doing it, take Business Insider’s advice and look at the Trax, here at Sharp Automotive.