Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2015 Chevy Trax
The Trax is a new model, just added to Chevy's lineup. Target market is the buyer who wants a crossover SUV - and the option of AWD - but not the size (and price tag) that tends to come with it.
WHAT'S GOOD
As Chevy notes, it's pretty much the least expensive AWD-equipped mini-me crossover SUV there is. Lots of driver and front seat passenger leg and headroom. Beats the Honda HR-V at the pump (though just barely).
Lots of high-tech features, including standard in-car WiFi hot spot and 7-inch LCD touchscreen input with integrated Smartphone apps.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Not as space-efficient as HR-V, which has much more second row legroom (39.3 inches vs. 35.7 for the Chevy)and more room for cargo, too. No manual transmission available (HR-V offers a six-speed; Mazda CX-3 is likely to offer a six-speed). Slow-pokey acceleration. Back doors don't open very wide - which makes getting into and out of the already tight second row even more challenging.
UNDER THE HOOD
This is a simple vehicle - as modern vehicles go. Regardless of trim, the standard (and only) engine is a turbocharged 1.4 liter four (same as the one that's optionally available in the Sonic) carrying a 138 hp rating.
This is exactly even Steven with the new HR-V's larger (and not turbocharged) 1.8 liter four, but the Chevy's torque output is higher - 148 ft.-lbs. vs. 127 ft.-lbs. for the Honda. The Chevy also has slightly more torque than the soon-to-be-here Mazda CX-3's much larger (2.0 liter) four, which - reportedly - will make 146 ft.-lbs. of torque (and a class-best 146 hp).
Chevy - like so many - is trying to maintain power/performance levels acceptable to car buyers while also achieving the fuel-efficiency mandatory minimums decreed by the government - by fitting a smaller engine with a turbo. The smaller engine normally uses less fuel - being smaller - but when the driver wants the performance of a larger engine, the turbo provides it temporarily (so long as increased performance is demanded by the driver's right foot). When he backs off the accelerator, the boost dies down and the engine's appetite does, too. Mostly, it works.
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