2024 Chevrolet Trax: new bargain…
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GM has just introduced the all-new Chevrolet Trax for 2024.
It really is a huge improvement over the last generation. Bigger, better in every way, etc… And also quite a bargain. With a starting price of $21 500. Which is $3000 cheaper than a base Honda Civic sedan! And just about $1000 more than the base Nissan Kicks.
At 11 inches longer than the previous generation, the new Trax is even about 5 inches longer than the more expensive Chevrolet Trailblazer. It is based on the same platform and uses the same 1.2 Liter 3 cylinder engine. Although while the Trailblazer is offered with a CVT or 9-speed Automatic, the cheaper Trax only comes with a 6-speed auto and FWD only. That’s probably mostly why it’s cheaper.
Inside, you really couldn’t tell the car is cheaper than the Trailblazer. As it is roomier and more modern. Higher-end versions even have a really nicely integrated 11-inch screen.
Here are some specs from GM:
“Display screens are the centerpiece of the tech-forward design, with the infotainment screen canted slightly toward the driver, for more intuitive control. LS and 1RS trims feature an 8-inch-diagonal infotainment color touchscreen, while LT, 2RS, and ACTIV have an 11-inch-diagonal infotainment color touchscreen and an 8-inch-diagonal driver information center.
The different trims also receive their own décor and accents, including:
- LT features black seats with Sky Cool Gray accents
- 2RS features red accents on the seats and a racing-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel
- ACTIV features Evotex seats with yellow accents
- RS and ACTIV trims feature black bowtie emblems
Additional standard and available content include:
- Center console with ergonomically optimized shifter location
- An electronic parking brake opens up more storage space in the console
- Four bottle holders and two cupholders
- Heated front seats, steering wheel, and outside mirrors are standard on 1RS, 2RS, and ACTIV and available on LT. Heated front seats and outside mirrors are available on LS
- Remote start standard on 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV and available on LS
- Automatic climate control, push-button start, and added rear-seat USB ports on LT, 2RS, and ACTIV
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat on ACTIV
- Available sunroof”
This all sounds like great pricing to me. Sure, there’s no AWD. That’s why they have the Trailblazer. I drove the Trailblazer a while ago and thought it was a great little crossover. And the 3-cylinder Turbo engine was great. (I might actually get another one to test drive soon).
While pricing is excellent, the Trax will still compete with the upcoming Equinox EV in the marketplace. At least for people who are open to getting an EV. With federal and local incentives, the $30 000 base price for the new EV could end up being even less than the new Trax. And what happens to the next “regular” Equinox? Squeezed in between this lew larger Trax and the inexpensive Equinox EV? Who would consider one?
I guess there might not even be a new Equinox. At least in the US?
If the new 2024 Trax seems familiar, it’s because we’ve actually seen it before. A few months ago, as the Chinese market Chevrolet Seeker.
Next ICE Equinox was spied a few weeks ago.
It’s easy to get caught up in EV fever when you read all the automatic websites, but really most consumers aren’t even thinking about EVs yet. And most of the EV mandates don’t kick in until 2035. So there is still time for 1-2 more generations of gas powered vehicles.
I also have a hard time believing that Chevy will be able to stick to that $30k Equinox EV price. That model isn’t coming for 2 more years, and we’ve already seen major price increases on EVs just in the last few months.
This Trax is going to get competition from the Bolt EUV. At $27,200 before incentives, the Bolt is priced right on top of the new Trax.
I see this being a huge hit for GM like the Maverick was for Ford. Hopefully they will be able to keep up with the demand from the public as well as the rental companies.
I think this is the spiritual replacement for the Cruze. I’m not concerned about the Trailblazer as it is still unique enough, the the ICE Equinox is going to be a hard sell for sure. Maybe the Equinox will be EV only (I know an ICE version has been seen testing, but so have other GM products that were cancelled). Trailblazer, Trax, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban for the ICE side and Bolt, Bolt EUV, Equinox EV, Blazer EV for EVs. It’s pretty crowded, but still more on tap than Ford at the moment. I have a feeling there will be some consolidation and I think the Blazer ICE will be the first on the chopping block.
I totally agree about the Cruze replacement. And yes, we’ve seen the next Equinox testing around, but that might end up being another Chinese market-only product for all we know.
Also agree about Ford. Where are the EVs? Besides the F-150. The Mach-E was introduced 3 years ago and they haven’t used that platform for anything else since. Why??
Another question… will there be a Buick Encore version of this?