Yes, the Chevrolet Trax is getting a refresh--in the US at least. Why so soon? Well, with the competition in the US subcompact crossover segment heating up, Chevrolet decided to give the Trax a little nip and tuck to help maintain its success (it's currently the second-best-selling small crossover in the US), as well as to align its styling with the newer models in the brand's lineup.
The most obvious aesthetic change is up front where panels ahead of the A-pillars are new. It gains a slightly more angular face that wears Chevrolet’s latest twin-port grille. Gone are the wide-open happy headlights; in their place are slimmer, more sinister-looking units with Audi-esque LEDs at the bottom. The rear receives new taillight clusters, as well as a restyled bumper with less black cladding to match the more sophisticated look of the front end. The prominent bulbous power dome on the hood has also been flattened, resulting in a sleeker and sportier appearance.
Inside, the dashboard now features a softer design. The current model’s motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster was ditched in favor of a full-gauge cluster that now includes an analog speedometer to complement the analog tachometer. Its touchscreen is positioned higher between the new relocated vertical center aircon openings. Lastly, thin chrome accents on the dashboard add a touch of class without looking overdone.
Vehicle safety has also been improved with the addition of new active safety features like Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Departure Warning. The car now also features 10 airbags and a reversing camera. On the tech side, the infotainment system is now compatible with connectivity systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Under the Trax’s hood is the same 1.4-liter Ecotec turbo engine that produces 138 hp and 200 Nm. This is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
The refreshed Trax will go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year in North America. There’s still no official word regarding its global rollout timetable.
