When the Chevrolet Trailblazer debuted a few years ago, we wondered what the future held for the brand’s subcompact, budget-minded Trax SUV. Well, now we know: The redesigned 2024 Trax is significantly larger and has more tech features than its predecessor — and it’s less expensive. Who would have thought?
Taken as a whole, the new Trax looks a lot like a shrunken Blazer, Chevrolet’s sporty-looking mid-size SUV. Similarities include slim LED running lights, a wide grille flanked by low-mounted headlights and a rakish roofline. With its extra size — the 2024 Trax is nearly a foot longer and 2 inches wider — the SUV has traded its predecessor’s stubbiness for sleekness.
The extra size is put to good use in the cabin, as there’s enough space for taller people to sit comfortably in the front and rear seats at the same time. I’m around 6 feet tall, and with the driver’s seat adjusted for how I’d drive, my shins were touching the back of the driver’s seat when sitting behind it, but I had plenty of space between my knees and the seatback.
The Trax’s roofline is 4 inches lower than before, but there’s still good headroom. The lower roofline doesn’t impede outward visibility, either, as there are no overly large blind spots or restricted views from the driver’s seat.
Most trim surfaces in the 2RS variant I sat in were hard rather than finished in a soft-touch material, but they did have a bit of a rubberized surface. This lent them a higher-quality appearance and feel than the shiny hard plastic that frequents entry-level vehicles. What’s more, the available 11-inch dashboard touchscreen is an impressive tech touch you don’t see in this class; combined with the available 8-inch digital instrument panel, it makes it feel like you’re sitting in a more expensive SUV.
The current Trax was already one of the least expensive SUVs you could buy, and the starting price of the redesigned 2024 model is lower than before at $21,495 (including destination) for a base LS trim. A lack of all-wheel drive may keep the front-drive-only Trax off some shoppers’ lists, but if you’re looking for value for the money, Chevrolet has made the Trax even more appealing.
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Keyword: Up Close With the 2024 Chevrolet Trax