I test drove the Chevrolet Trax crossover. With the launch of the 2025 model, connectivity was strengthened by introducing the OnStar service and providing remote control and vehicle diagnosis. In addition, Trax’s unique style, spacious space, and driving feel make it the most attractive option among vehicles in the 20 million won range.
The Trax crossover is highly popular not only in Korea but also in the U.S. market. GM accounted for 39.5% of small SUV sales in the United States in the first quarter of 2024, with Trax crossover (18.6%) and Trailblazer (11.5%) ranking in the top three. These are also Korea’s most exported models in 2023.
Export volume in 2023 will amount to Trax crossover (216,833 units) and Trailblazer (214,048 units). The Trax crossover also received good reviews from domestic and foreign expert groups, including being selected as one of the 2024 Best 10 Trucks & SUVs, as well as the 2024 Residual Value Award and the 2024 Korea Car of the Year.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of its launch in Korea in October 2022, GM presented strategies and goals for transforming its growth business in Korea. We will invest in state-of-the-art facilities at the Changwon plant to produce the next-generation global new product (Trax crossover), and seek to expand sales through the multi-brand strategy of Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC.
Chevrolet introduced the 2025 model just over a year after the launch of the Trax crossover. The 2025 Trax has a new redline trim (KRW 25.95 million) that emphasizes style, and GM’s innovative connectivity service, OnStar service, has been launched. It is possible to provide various functions through apps.
The OnStar service provides remote control (ignition, door lock, horn & hazard lights), vehicle status information (driving record, tire pressure, fuel level, engine oil life, fuel economy), and vehicle diagnostic functions through a mobile app. . GM Korea will sequentially apply the OnStar service to new vehicles to be released in the future.
For this test drive, we explored various driving courses with cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring. Representative cherry blossom roads are the Bugwi-ri Cherry Blossom Road in Chuncheon (115-7 Bugwi-ri, Buksan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do) and the Namhangang Cherry Blossom Road in Heungcheon, Yeoju (38-8 Gwibaek-ri, Heungcheon-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do). These are famous for combining with Dakgalbi or outlet shopping.
In addition, Seosan Gaesimsa Temple (321-86 Gaesimsa-ro, Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do) can be enjoyed along with driving courses such as nearby Seosan Ranch and Haemieupseong Fortress, and Cheongyang Janggoksa Cherry Blossom Road (241 Janggok-gil, Daechi-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) has been selected as one of Korea’s 100 most beautiful roads. Here, you can enjoy a bit of a winding course.
The test car was the Trax Crossover Active model. Urban Yellow, the exterior color exclusive to the Active trim, is applied, and the vehicle price is 29.66 million won as a full package with the technology package (adaptive cruise control, power liftgate, 750,000 won) and sunroof (700,000 won) added to the Active (28.21 million won) trim. am.
The Trax crossover has a large and wide body with a total length of 4540mm, a total width of 1825mm, a total height of 1560mm, and a wheelbase of 2700mm. Among competitors in its class, the car body is larger than the Seltos, which has a wider interior space at 4390mm and a wheelbase of 2630mm, and the actual interior space is also more spacious, making it closer to a mid-sized SUV.
The powertrain is a combination of a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline turbo engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing a maximum output of 139 horsepower (5,000 rpm) and a maximum torque of 22.4 kgm (2,500-4,000 rpm). The curb weight based on 18-inch wheels is 1330 kg, and the domestic combined fuel efficiency is 12.3 km/l (11.2 in the city, 14.0 at high speeds). Benefits are available for three types of low-emission vehicles.
The seating position in the driver’s seat is stable. One of the things Chevrolet does well is its excellent seating position. The 8-inch electronic instrument panel and 11-inch infotainment monitor tilted 9 degrees toward the driver lead the atmosphere. The steering wheel is heated, and the first row of seats are both heated and ventilated.
When stopped, engine noise and vibration are effectively blocked from entering the interior. Active noise control (ANC), which emits anti-phase sound in response to noise, is standard on all trims, and is the first of its kind in a domestic car. There may have been concerns about the noise and vibration of the 3-cylinder engine in the past, but it now appears to be technically stable.
In everyday driving, acceleration increases quite quickly. It is faster than the naturally aspirated 1.6 gasoline engine and has similar performance to the past i30 1.4 turbo. The maximum torque of 22.4 kgm generated from low rpm is equivalent to that of a 2.4-liter gasoline naturally aspirated engine. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h marks the late 8 seconds.
At full acceleration, it accelerates without stopping until it exceeds 180 km/h. Considering the engine displacement, this is incredible acceleration. The maximum speed is limited to around 197 km/h based on the instrument panel. During rapid acceleration using high rpm, engine noise increases somewhat. However, indoor quietness in the ultra-high speed range is above mid-to-high.
The driving assistance system supports adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. Even in the entry trim, the price of adding adaptive cruise control is only 400,000 won, which is the lowest price among domestic cars ever. Lane keeping assist is supported, but it is important to note that the lane-following centering function is excluded.
The driving sensation is somewhat solid based on the sturdy car body. This is a unique characteristic of Chevrolet, and its characteristic feature is that a similar feeling continues up to the maximum speed when driving at high speeds. On the other hand, in everyday driving at medium and low speeds, a soft sensation is delivered that allows for some roll, which is acceptable even as a family car.
The second row space has very generous legroom, which determines habitability. Compared to the top model, the Trailblazer, the 60mm longer wheelbase is visible in the second row space. The Trailblazer has a more relaxed headroom setup. Its comparative advantage in interior space appears to be ahead of that of Hyundai or Kia.
The Chevrolet Trax crossover is a strategic model for Chevrolet to build a full-fledged SUV-centered model lineup in place of the sedan lineup. Therefore, we pursue both the strengths of sedans and SUVs. In a situation where vehicle prices have risen significantly for various reasons, it has outstanding competitiveness among models under 30 million won.
