It’s a new era for Chevrolet locally. Former brand staples like the Colorado pickup and the Trailblazer midsize SUV are no longer listed on the carmaker’s official Philippine website, and in their place under the spotlight rise two new offerings that are much, much smaller in stature.
We’re referring to the Tracker and the smaller Trailblazer, the former of which we’re here with today in hopes of determining its value in an increasingly saturated subcompact-crossover segment. Let’s jump in then, shall we?
Exterior
This is easily one of the more pissed-off-looking rides in the segment, and we mean that in a good way. Strong features such as the aggressive headlamps (which feature very attractive LED daytime running lights), bold character lines, and a large front grille help lend the Tracker a road presence bigger than its actual dimensions suggest. Meanwhile, hints of red on the exterior add a touch of playfulness to what’s predominantly a very serious appearance.
Things calm down as we move toward the rear, which features relatively vanilla-looking taillights and a very clean overall look. Down low, you’ll find 161mm of ground clearance and stealthy 17-inch wheels finished in black.
Overall, the aesthetic suits the size of the vehicle and suggests an entertaining time behind the wheel. We’ll find out in a bit if this is the case.
Oh, and dimensions: 4,270mm in length, 1,791mm in width, and 1,627mm in height, with a 2,570mm wheelbase. Those numbers slot the Tracker above a Volkswagen T-Cross and just below the likes of the Geely Coolray. We’ve done a spec-sheet brawl—go check it out.
ALSO READ:
Number coding: MMDA’s new scheme banning cars twice a week could take effect on May 1
MMDA proposal requires your brand-new car to have the same plate ending as your existing one
Interior
The seriousness of the exterior gets carried over inside this subcompact crossover, where passengers are greeted by a stealthy space that features a nice mix of hard plastic and soft-touch materials. The good news is that the former all feel sturdy enough, aside from a few scuffs here and there that are barely noticeable.
Just like the exterior, some contrasting elements add a bit of color to the scheme. These come in the form of the light trim surrounding the A/C vents and the gearshifter, and red stitching scattered on the dashboard, the door panels, and the seats. The floating touchscreen at the center of the setup features an attractive design, and a compact flat-bottomed steering wheel adds a bit of sportiness to the equation as well.
Speaking of seats, they’re comfortable enough to sit on, though I do have to say finding an ideal driving position proved to be cumbersome due to an awkwardly placed footrest on the driver’s side. Cabin insulation leaves a bit to be desired and engine noise does noticeably permeate inside when at idle.
Space is about what you’d expect for the segment, but the trunk is surprisingly roomy thanks to an exterior that rounds out toward the rear. I was able to fit several large pieces of unassembled furniture with the second row folded down without a problem.
Overall, the cabin of the Tracker is a nice place to sit in. Taller or long-legged drivers, though, may want to consider something larger if they plan on being stuck behind the wheel for extended periods on the regular.
Engine performance
For the Philippine market, all Chevrolet Tracker units come powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine capable of 116hp at 5,800rpm and up to 175Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. This comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and sips from a 40-liter fuel tank.
In a week with the test unit, I was able to average around 8.5km/L in city driving conditions—not bad, considering I ran into a good amount of traffic behind the wheel and I was lugging around furniture for part of the test period.
The engine is also much punchier than its displacement suggests, with a nice responsive throttle to play around it when the road ahead of you opens up. It kind of makes you wish this thing had paddle shifters to mess around with from time to time.
The powertrain isn’t perfect, though. While the Tracker and its 1.0-liter turbo can get to speed rather quickly, response in traffic can be mixed with a slight delay in throttle response from the get-go at times. This didn’t happen often enough to ruin the vehicle’s drive, but it is worth pointing out.
Ride and handling
As far as handling is concerned, the Tracker’s nicely weighted steering wheel works with the punchy 1.0-liter turbo to provide zippy and responsive overall performance. Despite this, maneuvering the vehicle in tight spaces is still a cinch, and the tiller is easy to manage when parking.
But one blemish in this department is that the Tracker’s suspension setup doesn’t feel like it’s suited for Philippine roads. While it remains stable enough when things are tame, bumpier sections of EDSA and C5 had me and a front passenger moving around quite a bit over road imperfections.
ALSO READ:
Driving an unregistered vehicle? Here are the fines and penalties
Car components that can be damaged by sunlight (and how to protect them)
Extra features
The floating eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the dashboard features Apple CarPlay connectivity (no Android Auto, folks) and is hooked up to a relatively nice-sounding six-speaker sound setup. Note that only the top-spec Redline variant gets the two additional speakers out back.
The ignition is push-to-start, and drivers are faced with a colored multi-information display that, to be honest, isn’t the most intuitive to navigate. Cooling is handled via automatic climate controls, and you can power up devices either through a 12V outlet or a USB charging port.
As far as safety is concerned, all Tracker units come equipped with stability features like rollover mitigation and understeer sontrol. Hill-start assist is included, as are a tire-pressure monitoring system and panic brake assist. For obvious reasons, I did not try out the latter of these two. Side airbags are also included as an active safety feature.
Any glaring omissions? I would say telescopic steering adjustment, but I didn’t find it necessary in a cabin of this size.
Verdict
The 2022 Chevrolet Tracker suffers from a few ailments you’d expect from a vehicle of this size, namely, a cramped driver’s area and a ride that leaves a little something to be desired. It stands out, though, thanks to a punchy powertrain, good handling, and a striking design that can rival even the best the segment has to offer. Does it deserve consideration? The answer is an easy yes.
2022 Chevrolet Tracker LT Redline
Price: P1,242,888
Engine: 1.0-liter turbopetrol I3
Power: 116hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 175Nm @ 4,200rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Layout: FWD
Seating: 5
Score: 16/20
More photos of the 2022 Chevrolet Tracker LT Redline:
