Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Chevrolet since 2013. The car is based on the GM Gamma II platform, which is shared with the Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic, as well as the Opel Mokka/Buick Encore.

2012
The concept was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, with the final model unveil having happened at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. It was then available for test driving at the 2013 Montreal Auto Show, with four essay models shown.

2013
During 2013 and early 2014, it was only sold in Canada, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates and Europe. It was also marketed as the Holden Trax in Australia, and as the Chevrolet Tracker in Russia and South America.

In Canada, the Trax was the first compact Chevrolet crossover SUV since the discontinuation of the Tracker. The vehicle started shipping on April 2, however pre-sales began as early as the fourth quarter of 2012 for both Mexico (1.8L) and Canada (1.4L Turbo). Korean sales started at late February 2013.

2014
In late 2014, the Trax was marketed to more countries adding China, Indonesiaand the Philippines.

2015
On April 15, 2014, Chevrolet announced that the Trax will come to the United States as a 2015 model, buoyed by the success of the Buick Encore (the Trax and Encore share the GM Gamma II platform) and possible competition from the Jeep Renegade. The US-market Trax is largely unchanged from the global version, but has some US-specific features including OnStar with AT&T 4G LTEand SiriusXM satellite radio.

The US version is powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 138 bhp (103 kW; 140 PS) @ 4,900 rpm and 148 lb·ft (201 N·m) @ 1,850 rpm. Trailer towing is not permitted. Only the 6-speed automatic transmission is available.

Three trim levels, both available with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, are available: LS, LT and LTZ. Standard features on all trims include air conditioning; power windows; split-folding rear seat; tilting and telescoping steering-wheel; ABS; ESP; front, front and rear side, side-curtain airbags, and knee airbags; tire-pressure monitor; emergency communication system and parking assist.

2017 facelift
Chevrolet performed a mid-cycle updated on the Trax for the 2017 model year, first unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show on February 12, 2016. The updated Trax carried Chevrolet's Corvette-inspired design cues from the Malibuand Volt, including new halogen projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, dual taillamps a new grille design. A set of 18-inch aluminium wheels are offered on the Premier model trim. The interior is also redesigned with a new dashboard and center instrument panel. The 2017 Trax is expected to go on sale in the fall of 2016.

Holden Trax (2013–)
In Australia and the overall Oceania market, the Chevrolet Trax is offered under the Holden brand, as Holden is the Australian GM subsidiary. It went on sale in 2013.

Chevrolet Tracker
In Russia and South America it is being named Chevrolet Tracker, the name used in North and Latin America from 1989–1991 & 1999–2008 for a Chevrolet/Geo version of the Suzuki Sidekick. In Russian, the name "Trax" would be too closely related to the word trakh (Rus. трах), which is a colloquialism for copulation.

Engines
The Trax is offered in different markets with different choices of drivetrains. In Latin America the Trax is only available with the 1.8 liter gasoline engine. In Canada and the US, only the 1.4 liter turbocharged gasoline engine is offered. In Mexico and Australia (from 2015) it is available both in 1.8 liter and 1.4 liter turbocharged engines. European customers can choose between the 1.4 liter turbo gasoline engine, a 1.6 liter gasoline engine, and a 1.7 liter diesel engine.

Production
The Trax is being produced by both GM Korea and General Motors Mexico for most global markets. Shanghai GM will also be producing the model for the Chinese market from the 2015 model year onward.

Marketing
The Trax is positioned below the mid-size Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Captiva (depending on country) in the current Chevrolet line-up. In Europe, some dealers started branding it as a "compact SUV". However, in Canada, where the Chevrolet Orlando is positioned as "mid-size CUV" and the Equinox is the "compact CUV", the Trax is branded as "mini SUV/CUV" instead.