2020 Chevrolet Trax

The principal selling point for the 2020 Chevrolet Trax boils down to price. Anyone planning to drive home a Trax is advised to purchase a low-cost model. That said, tangible virtues aren't wholly absent. In addition to an urban-friendly footprint, the subcompact crossover provides good visibility along with ease of entry/exit.

Part of Chevrolet's lineup since 2015, the Trax was freshened two years later. Little has changed for the 2020 model year, meaning it still comes in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier.

Beneath the hood of each Trax, a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes a modest 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission works with standard front-wheel drive. For more confidence in harsh weather, all-wheel drive adds just $1,500 to the total price.

A small footprint and relatively low weight make the Trax competitive in fuel economy. The FWD version is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city, 31 highway, and 28 combined. All-wheel drive drops efficiency to 24/29/26 mpg.

Especially when considering its diminutive dimensions, the Trax has performed admirably in crash testing. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating, and it earned the top score of 'Good'? on every IIHS crash test but one.

The total lack of automatic emergency braking gives the Trax a demerit, essentially outweighing its good crash test scores. The Nissan Kicks and the Mazda CX-3, for instance, offer automatic emergency braking.

All Trax models get 10 airbags and a rearview camera, but even the top-rung Premier's list of advanced safety features is limited to forward-collision warnings. If safety is a priority, picking a bigger crossover with more up-to-date safety technology might be prudent.
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Part of Chevrolet's lineup since 2015, the Trax was freshened two years later. Little has changed for the 2020 model year, meaning it still comes in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier.