With the average price of a new 2025 model year vehicle nearing $48,000, one has to wonder if there is still an affordable new car, truck or SUV out there. And the answer to that is, thankfully, yes. The 2025 Chevrolet Trax has a starting price of $21,900 - making it the lowest priced vehicle GM sells in the U.S. Even fully loaded, like the one Chevrolet sent me this week, the Trax stays well below the $30,000 mark. If you’re interested in an affordable, entry-level subcompact crossover SUV, read on.
The Chevrolet Trax made its debut in 2015 and lasted through 2022. It then skipped a year before the second-generation Track hit the streets in 2024. The 2025 Trax is the smallest SUV in the Chevrolet lineup, coming in right under the Chevrolet Trailblazer, although the two are very similar in size. The Trax competes with the likes of the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Kicks, and Hyundai Venue.
When looking at the Trax, one can see that it easily fits in the Chevy lineup with its proportioned body, bold front end, wide, low stance and athletic appearance. Clean body lines and sharp LED lighting give the Trax an upscale appearance.
Inside, things get even better. The large exterior translates to a roomy interior. Up front, the wide seats make long-distance drives bearable, and in back, there is plenty of legroom. Even the middle rear seat is habitable thanks to a flat floor. When it’s time to haul goods instead of passengers, the Trax comes through with 25.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seat, which increases to 54.1 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded.
There is only one powertrain available in the Trax, and it's a little one. Coming in at 1.2 liters and using just 3 cylinders and a turbocharger, it makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The little engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and powers the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available.
The Trax is available in five trim levels. Base is the LS with steel wheels and an 8-inch infotainment system. Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included, along with a WiFi hotspot. Move up to the 1RS and the Trax is fitted with nicer 18-inch alloy wheels, sportier front and rear facias and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. The LT gets an automatic climate control system, larger 11-inch infotainment system, digital instrument cluster and push-button start. Two trim levels share the top role - the 2RS and the Activ. The 2RS gets larger 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Activ stays with 18-inch alloy wheels but gets a power driver's seat. The tester arrived as a Trac 2RS and carries with it a price tag of $27,480.
There is no getting around that the Trax is an economy car - and it drives like one. The suspension is set so that the ride is soft and comfortable, even on rough roads, while the handling is tuned to offer just enough damping to keep body roll in check. Basically, it handles nicely, just don't push it. The engine, while small, has plenty of torque that comes on low in the rev range - making the Trax feel plenty powerful. Turbo lag is minimal and the transmission, which thankfully still uses gears and is not a CVT, handles its job flawlessly. Being the economy car that it is, the Trax is rated at 30 mpg in combined driving (28 city / 32 highway).
It's hard to find fault with the Trax as it has good looks, a nice interior and decent fuel economy. But its best feature may be in terms of value. Coming in at nearly half the price of the average new car, the price of the Trax may very well be its top selling point.