![]() ![]() Trax is the lowest-priced all-wheel-drive model offered by General Motors and is Chevrolet’s smallest crossover. The Buick Encore costs more than the Chevrolet Trax, and offers more amenities as well as a more upscale appearance. Nothing has changed in the Trax’s engineering, however. The front end of the 2017 Chevrolet Trax has adopted the appearance of other Chevrolet vehicles, and the interior has been updated, substituting a flowing dashboard with analog instruments for the previous motorcycle-inspired digital display. Trax debuted as a 2015 model and is a close cousin to the Buick Encore, both built upon the foundation of the subcompact Sonic. I’m not sure a whole wing of the SEMA show could come up with an attractive aftermarket body for this puckish tall hatchback.The tiny Chevrolet Trax crossover, earns an updating for the 2017 model year. Some angles show it as sort of a shrunken version of a generic crossover, but from the front and back I find it clownish. I’d rather look at the 2017 Trax than the outgoing car, but let’s be honest, it’s still a weird-looking thing.Remember that the promising Golf Alltrack starts at about $26,000. The reasonable size and ability of the CUV makes sense in the low $20k range (like the FWD Trax LT at $23,795), but my as-tested price of $29,490 would make me look elsewhere. If you’re spending the money for an AWD Trax over a front-driver (with snow tires if you live where the weather is an issue), or for one of the higher trim levels, I’d say you’re missing the point.The hot-selling Jeep Renegade is less frugal, but its 2.4-liter engine has way more power and torque. ![]() Honda’s HR-V does better (28/35 for the front-driver), and so does the always-all-wheel Subaru Crosstrek (26/34 city/highway). Estimates of 25 miles per gallon in city driving and 33 on the highway (or 24/30 for the AWD car I drove) are not super competitive.But on a few rare stretches of open road, over 40 miles per hour, you can feel the 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque struggle not to feel slow. Chevy probably had us stick to city driving because that’s where the mild torque-pop from this little engine feels most effective. The only powertrain offered is the 1.4-liter turbo four and a six-speed automatic transmission.Light and quick, the steering shouldn’t be an issue while dicing with Sprinters and hipster bikes to get into the turn lane, or to grab the good spot in the Jewel-Osco parking lot. On that same tip, the steering calibration seems just right for city driving.My day in Chicago was spent traversing the city, and the Trax offered both great visibility and easy parking/maneuvering ability on the route. And the small-but-tall body shape (admittedly one shared with lots of stuff in this class) is great for city driving. Especially with the rear seats folded, there’s a massive amount of space for hauling stuff around. I believe most folks will find this to be a cheerful and functional small car.By and large I think the change in appearance, inside and out, represents an improvement. ![]() This wouldn’t be a facelift without a new front and rear fascia and an updated interior, too. ![]() Keyless-open doors and a push-button start fit the theme of easy-operation. #2017 chevrolet trax android#The new instrument cluster is cleaner and easier to read, and now-available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do the same for the touchscreen-based infotainment system.
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