Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV
Specs
Class: Subcompact crossover
Nation of Manufacture: South Korea
Shade: Cacti Inexperienced
Miles pushed: 217
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | C |
| Match and End | B- |
| Gas Economic system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 137-horsepower 1.2-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | FWD |
Noticed gas financial system: 30.1 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 28/32/30 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $25,300 (not together with $1690 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Sunroof Bundle ($895), Driver Confidence Bundle
Worth as examined: $28,385
Audio-System Model
N/A
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Snug, spacious, reasonably priced, simple on the gasoline
The nice: Sporty dealing with, quiet on the freeway
The not so good: Unrefined engine, lacks passing energy
Evaluation
The subcompact crossover section is among the many newer automobile classes accessible to American buyers, and among the many most reasonably priced. Because the U.S. market is now fully bereft of automobiles smaller than, say, a Toyota Corolla, it’s the small crossover that serves as buyers’ de facto “entry-level” new journey of selection.
Low cost Vehicles are Gone
That final sub-$20,000 automobile supplied in America, the Nissan Versa small sedan, was constructed (in Mexico) earlier this 12 months. That mannequin has been discontinued on this market.
That mentioned, many of the crossovers on this section hardy qualify as entry degree—this by way of facilities, or worth. Most are fairly good, and price fairly a bit greater than $20,000.
Inexpensive Crossover Buying
Having not too long ago shopped with my daughter for a brand new small crossover, this creator can attest to the commonly upscale really feel of many of the automobiles on this class, and, sadly, the upscale worth. You possibly can examine my daughter’s automobile buying expertise right here.
Worth and Practicality
Chevrolet’s least-expensive mannequin for 2026, the Trax instructions consideration as a small crossover for numerous causes, two of that are worth and practicality, although the most-affordable Chevy crossover earns factors for model and design as effectively.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Chevy truly sells two crossover priced and sized within the lineup under the favored compact Equinox. Additionally supplied is the Trailblazer, which is positioned barely upmarket of Trax, and will be had with AWD, which the Trax can’t.
Trax Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, the Trax is obtainable 5 trim ranges:
- LS ($23,495)
- 1RS ($24,995)
- LT ($24,995)
- 2RS ($27,195)
- ACTIV ($27,195)
Rising by means of the lineup, the LS is the entry-level Trax providing, whereas 1RS and 2RS fashions characteristic sportier exterior and cabin trim. The LT boasts a cleaner look, with an emphasis on luxurious. Lastly, the ACTIV goes for a rugged presence with rugged-looking black-finish wheels and trim-level particular physique trim.
Tariff Stress
Be aware that, regardless of tariff strain, Chevy has performed a commendable job conserving Trax costs affordable. Inbuilt South Korea, the Trax is topic to a 15-percent import tax. Whatever the added price, the bottom worth of the Trax, together with vacation spot cost, has solely risen $2000 since its 2024 introduction. That mentioned, future worth will increase could also be within the works.
Engines
All Trax fashions are powered by a 137-horsepower 2.3-liter 3-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed computerized transmission. As famous earlier, the Trax comes solely with front-wheel drive, not like the more-expensive Trailblazer, which is obtainable with AWD as effectively.
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2026 Trax ACTIV in Cacti Inexperienced. With the Sunroof Bundle and Driver Confidence Bundle our take a look at automobile got here to $28,385 together with vacation spot cost.
Room and Consolation
Although modern in profile, the Trax has a extra upright stance than lots of the automobiles within the subcompact crossover class, and because of this affords homeowners class-leading passenger and cargo house. There’s loads of room for 4 bigger adults, with virtually 26 cubic ft of cargo house aft of the twond-row seats.
The cabin is in any other case nice. Chevy has a pleasant job ending the cab in upscale wanting trim, although there’s loads of arduous plastic slightly below the brilliant bits. However, at this worth, we predict the Trax inside comes off as each engaging and practical.
Controls
Although not on a contiguous airplane as in many more moderen fashions, the Trax’s instrument panel and heart console are massive and straightforward to learn. And, very a lot to our liking, local weather capabilities are dealt with by way of actual knobs and switches situated on a panel under the center-console touchscreen.
Journey and Dealing with
The place the Trax actually shines, even surprises, is underway. Whereas there’s solely an ample quantity of energy (extra on that in a second), Chevy’s small crossovers rides and handles like a way more costly automobile.
There’s a common sportiness to the Trax underway, with a great quantity of steering really feel, effectively managed lean in corners, and brakes that really feel agency and powerful. Journey high quality can also be commendable. On the freeway the Trax looks like a bigger, heavier automobile, and feels strong and planted on the street. That cabin is quiet, too, at cruising velocity, with little street noise filtering into the cabin.
Energy and Efficiency
There’s first rate energy for round city jaunts, with the Trax serving up comparatively fast squirts away from a cease, and loads of quick-maneuvering muscle for filling gaps in visitors. Strive as it’d, nevertheless, the little 3-cylinder engine delivers solely ample passing and merging thrust, arising brief towards many of the different automobiles on this class, particularly turbocharged variations of Mazda’s wonderful CX-30.
The engine can also be a bit of crude in motion. At idle, and whereas accelerating, the Trax powerplant is susceptible to throb, and usually noisy operation. Luckily, each the sound and quaking dissipate rapidly at fixed speeds.
Gas Economic system
One the plus aspect, our take a look at automobile achieved simply higher than 30 mpg throughout our analysis, this regardless of frigid temps and lengthening warmup idle instances.
Worth
There’s an terrible lot right here to love for first-time automobile buyers, or adults seeking to downsize their motor swimming pools. The Trax delivers huge on consolation and utility, and affords up wonderful gas financial system and a really engaging worth as well. Customers in search of AWD and a bit of extra energy will need to try the equally compelling Chevrolet Trailblazer. We additionally suggest the trendy and feature-packed Nissan Kicks.
However for $30,000, it’s arduous to fault the Trax. It’s simple to personal, and, it’s the one small crossover accessible in Cacti Inexperienced. (Click on right here to take a look at all of our subcompact crossover suggestions.)
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2026 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV Photos
(Click on under for enlarged photos)
