CHEVROLET TRAX SMALL SUV - News from TestDriveNow.com

DETROIT – Demand for the flexibility of an SUV in a small package could grow by 2 million units in the next few years. Chevrolet is getting ready by introducing the Chevrolet Trax small-SUV in its two largest markets – the U.S. and China.

“The Trax truly rounds out Chevrolet’s already very-strong small car portfolio,” said Alan Batey, General Motors senior vice president, Global Chevrolet. “Demand for a vehicle with huge capability in a small footprint is on the rise, and the Trax is a perfect fit that offers the latest technology and a bold design with versatility to match.”

Chevrolet has sold 90,000 Trax in 60 countries since its launch in the late fall of 2012. The Trax goes on sale in the U.S. in 2015.

“The small CUV’s combination of style, fuel efficiency and flexibility will lead to increased consumer demand over the next several years,” said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “We’re seeing small CUVs replacing compact and mid-size sedans on many shoppers’ consideration lists.”

The Trax joins Chevrolet’s small car lineup, into which seven models have launched in the past four years. In the same four-year span, Chevrolet’s market share of the small, compact and mini car segments has more than tripled because of models like the Spark, Sonic, and Cruze. Almost one in two buyers of these cars are new to the Chevrolet brand.

The Trax will bring the only seven-inch color touchscreen to the segment as part of its MyLink infotainment system, which will also boast a 4G LTE connection from OnStar, enabling up to seven portable devices to share a Wi-Fi hotspot provided by the Trax’s data connection. Siri Eyes Free will offer a heads-up interaction with an Apple iPhone, and BringGo integration provides the most affordable in-dash navigation system on the market.

Trax will also come with 10 standard airbags, more than any of its segment competitors. The Trax also offers the segment’s only rear-seat-mounted thorax air bag. A rearview camera is standard and park assist is available. Trax’s design showcases the small SUV’s capabilities, demonstrating its ability to tackle city streets while offering the versatility of an SUV. The design features Chevrolet’s signature dual-port grille and chrome accents, aligning it with the rest of the Chevrolet lineup.

Inside, both the passenger and second row of seats fold flat, offering up to 43.1 cubic feet of cargo space. This allows items up to eight feet – such as ladders or lumber – to be stored in the passenger compartment.

Available all-wheel drive lets the Trax live up to its SUV appearances, shifting power to the rear wheels when additional grip is needed. The power comes from a 1.4L turbocharged engine expected to be rated at 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. In charge of getting the power to the ground is a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission with TAPShift control.