2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ

It feels like it's been a while since a new, affordable vehicle has hit the market up here in Canada. Cheap cars used to be a big deal, but as competition increased over the decades, profit margins on these vehicles shrank making it less appealing for carmakers to produce, and hard for dealerships to make money off them. That's why so many small vehicles have disappeared from our marketplace in the past 5 years. Luckily General Motors has come out with a new entry-level vehicle positioned as a quasi-replacement for the Chevrolet Cruze. Enter the 2024 Chevrolet Trax.

The Chevrolet Trax isn't a new nameplate, but rather the vehicle has been repositioned within the Chevrolet model lineup. Gone (thankfully) is the egg-shaped previous generation, and along with it the all-wheel drive option. This new Trax is front-wheel drive only which helps keep the starting price low, especially in today's high-price vehicle norm. The very entry-level Trax LS starts at $24,530.00 CAD. Our Activ trim which sits at the top came in at a modest $30,299.00. I can't remember the last time I drove an affordable vehicle like this.

Taking styling notes from the larger Blazer, this subcompact crossover is quite handsome with a sporty flair to it. In fact this was one of our most popular vehicles that we've driven in 2024, with plenty of people checking us out in parking lots and along the highways. So far people seem to love the looks of the Trax, and so do we. It's a complete 180 improvement from the previous generation, and makes it one of the best looking vehicles in the segment. Nitro Yellow Metallic is one of the 8 colour choices available, and while we'd opt for the less-flashy Cacti Green, having some punchy choices is perfect for small vehicles like this.

Powering this cutie is GM's 1.2L 3 cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. While the 6 speed automatic transmission is older, it typically beats a CVT which you'd often find in this segment and price point.

The interior continues that Blazer inspiration, with rounded side vents for airflow, GM's latest infotainment system, and a surprisingly spacious cabin. Often we find these subcompact crossovers to be very tight in the width/shoulder room, but the interior proportions of the Trax made it very comfortable to sit in despite me being a bigger driver. I usually dread the days I have to sit in a subcompact, but this one was the complete opposite. The feature list isn't extensive, but then again the purpose of this vehicle is to be affordable. Must-haves include automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED exterior headlights, keyless entry, and wireless phone charging.

Fuel efficiency is expectedly good at 6.7L/100km. It's more efficient than the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos that we featured recently, however those vehicle both come with AWD, which adds weight and extra fuel consumption, which is why they aren't comparable to this Trax. While some of the commenters we've had on the video say they wish this vehicle had AWD, we understand GM's positioning on this. By building these as FWD-only, it helps to bring the cost down and keeps the Trax affordable.

Overall the 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ was a surprisingly good vehicle, and one that really gives us hope for the affordable car segment going forward. While profit margins are still tight on this one, it shows other automakers that small, affordable vehicles don't have to be terrible. The Chevrolet Trax checks off all the boxes for a $30k vehicle that we look for. With several trim choices to pick, the Trax has a lot to offer.

It doesn't happen often that we're surprised here on TestDrive, but we're happy to admit it when it happens. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ is great value for money, and gives buyers a seriously attractive choice in this highly competitive segment. You can find out more about what we thought about this vehicle over on our YouTube Channel where we go over everything you need to know if you're in the market for a subcompact crossover like this.