2016 Chevrolet Trax eyes bigger market share

THE CHEVROLET Trax is the newest entry in the baby ute set.

SURPRISE, surprise! The hottest segment in the urban automotive market is the subcompact SUV/crossover, not only in the Philippines but also in the United States.

That is why the Chevrolet Trax, introduced in late 2012 in Mexico and Canada, was brought to the US in 2015.

Early this month, The Covenant Car Co. Inc. (TCCI), the Philippine importer and distributor of Chevrolet vehicles and parts, launched the 2016 Trax at a trendy night spot in Bonifacio Global City frequented by millennials.

Based on the Chevrolet Sonic’s architecture and sharing its 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec gasoline engine, the Trax is what the Sonic hatchback would look like as a high-riding crossover.

Adventuresome

AT 4,245 mm, the Trax is slightly longer than the Ford EcoSport.

The fascia with Chevy’s chrome dual port front grille design sometimes reminds me of the Chevrolet Spin. But the Trax definitely looks more aggressive and adventuresome with its swept-back headlamps, pronounced wheel flares, wraparound tail lights and sleek rear spoiler over the rear liftgate.

The relatively long wheelbase, wide stance, front and rear skid pads and strong, sculpted structure hint at offroad capability, but the minimal ground clearance indicates that the Trax was designed more for comfortable urban motoring.

Nonetheless, with its sporty good looks, fully loaded specs and affordable retail price, the Trax is poised to grab market share from the Ford EcoSport, the first baby crossover to reach these shores after the Suzuki Jimny and Kia Soul.

It would be fascinating to see how the rivalry between the two All-American brands—each backed by a long history of manufacturing full-size pickup trucks and SUVs—will turn out in the hot subcompact crossover market segment.

Appeal to millennials

Although the EcoSport enjoys a one-year advantage (it was launched in Manila in 2014), the Trax offers a lot of premium features that would appeal to millennials and the “young once” market alike.

First on my list of pluses is the Trax’s suite of advanced safety features: StabiliTrak traction control, electronic stability control, hill descent control, cornering brake control, roll over mitigation, rear wheel boost, straight line stability, engine drag control, and panic brake assist.

What’s more, six airbags, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring system, antilock braking system (ABS), and disc brakes on all four 18-inch alloy wheels are standard in the Trax.

Automatic on-off halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, and roof rails are also standard equipment.

Convenience and comfort

IN THE cockpit, a Sonic-derived instrument cluster.

For the occupants’ convenience and comfort, the Trax has cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone controls, illuminated sun visors for driver and front passenger, a power lumbar switch, and four-way driver’s seat adjuster, two-way passenger seat adjuster, driver information center display, and rear door lift gate.

The PVC leather-trimmed doors are large, making ingress and egress easy.

Not to be outdone in wireless technology, the Trax has Chevrolet’s user-friendly MyLink infotainment system with 7-inch colored touchscreen, Bluetooth and Siri eyes-free voice command that makes phone calls, connecting to music, and enjoying digital connectivity easy.

The FM/AM radio with CD player and MP3 audio input has six speakers.

Motorcycle-inspired

The Sonic-derived instrument cluster with its round analog tachometer and rectangular LCD speedometer evoke a motorcycle’s gauges. The ice blue backlight sets a cool mood in the cabin, which is surprisingly spacious for the Trax’s subcompact size.

While the Trax has 15 storage compartments for small items including a front seat back pocket, a two-tier glove box and a compartment with lid above the air-conditioner vents in the dashboard, there is no shared center armrest, and only a flip-down armrest attached to the seatback for the driver.

EVEN six-footers can sit comfortably in the back.

Neither is there a storage bin between the front seats to house a media hub, so the USB and auxiliary audio inputs are inside one of the two glove boxes.

The roomy cabin seats five comfortably, even six footers occupying the 60:40 split/folding rear bench seat behind a 6-feet driver.

The front and rear seats offer ample headroom and legroom, aside from exceptionally good outward visibility.

Flexible seating

Chevrolet claims that the Trax, 4,245 mm long on a wheelbase of 2,555 mm, provides eight flexible seating configurations and up to 1,270 liters of luggage space when the rear seat is stowed.

Other subcompact crossovers may have more luggage space, but the Trax has the advantage of a flat cargo floor and a front passenger seat that folds flat.

THE 1.4-liter turbo 4-cyl.engine delivers 140 hp and 200 Nm max torque.

The 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged DOHC four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing produces 140 HP and  200.43 Nm max torque.

Paired with an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, the Trax’s powertrain is the same as that of the Sonic and Cruze.

Tuned for comfort rather than sport or speed, the Trax provides a pleasingly smooth and quiet ride in most conditions.

Steering feedback is good, and the brakes are strong, nearly sports car-grade in stopping distance.

Maneuverability

AT THE back, rear fog lamps and a skid plate like the ones in front

The Trax’s quick steering, maneuverability and good visibility make it easy to drive and park in the city, but its small engine runs out of steam at high RPM and becomes noisy.

So it is excellent as an errand runner around town, but is challenged when it hits highway speeds with one or two passengers and cargo on board.

Could Chevrolet add 50 more horses to the engine to make the Trax an exciting, fun-to-drive runabout?

Maybe, but not at its current suggested retail price of P998,888 for the Trax LS, and P1,218,888 for the top-of-the-line LT variant.

UP TO 1,370 liters of luggage capacity are available.

Because of the Trax’s comfy ride quality, deft steering, confident, tied-down handling, roomy, flexible cabin, outstanding array of active and passive safety features, user-friendly infotainment system and exceptional visibility, at those affordable prices, it remains good value for money.