Rental: Chevrolet Trax

[njmodi]

Just came back from a trip....rental car was a Chevrolet Trax...

I get in the car, there were 6 miles on the odometer, protective plastic still on the radio/bluetooth/etc. screen... so looks like I was driver #1...

I'll say first off that I've never been an SUV-guy.

I have a hard time understanding what segment this particular car is supposed to appeal to.

The car comes equipped with a 1.4L 4-cylinder turbo... it was entirely underwhelming... but I understand that this car is not supposed to be about speed...

It's really small... it's a 4-seater, maybe 5 if you have 3 small people in the back - no way you can fit 3 car seats/boosters comfortably...

Just looked it up... its 20k+... who buys these cars and why? You can't tow anything useful..

It's small, it's not fast... They have put a small car into an SUV form-factor...and taken all the good things out of it... it's no longer nimble, not fuel-efficient (for it's size)... and I don't think you can really use it as an "SUV" in case you do decide to be adventurous.

To be clear, this is not a domestic, vs. import battle. I just don't understand this segment... I suppose it competes with the Juke...

Anyone else seen/driven one of these yet? I know these cars exist because people buy them... but what's the draw?

 

[nerp]

Old and obese people can get in and out of the more easily. That's it, really. Aside from that, it's a trend.

 

[njmodi]

Yes - I guess the height helps with that...

 

[Jumpem]

What is your location? In general the appeal is AWD and ground clearance for snow, combined with fuel economy and the usefulness of a hatch.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

What is your location? In general the appeal is AWD and ground clearance for snow, combined with fuel economy and the usefulness of a hatch.

Chevy Trax has no more ground clearance than a regular hatch back. It's a terrible vehicle - boring, slow, expensive, etc.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-chevrolet-trax-awd-test-review

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-chevrolet-trax-first-drive-review-1

It needs more power...

 

[njmodi]

Fair enough...

I'm in the Chicago-area... but I've had FWD and RWD cars for the past 20+ years and all-season tires and had no issues. They salt roads heavily here - so probably not a fair comparison to being a little farther out in the country or less urban area... or for folks who have to drive long distances on the highway rain, snow or shine.

 

[Jumpem]

Chevy Trax has no more ground clearance than a regular hatch back. It's a terrible vehicle - boring, slow, expensive, etc.

That's why I said "in general" in regards to that type of vehicle. I prefer the ground clearance, capable AWD, fuel economy, and safety of a Subaru.

 

[LTC8K6]

Reviews seem to be good, it just lacks power.

 

[Ramses]

Holy crap that is unattractive. It's like.. a caricature.

That said, my mother would probably like that form factor, hatch, easy in and out, little higher up than a regular car.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

From my point of view, subcompact SUVs are a good excuse to get something with AWD. With the exception of Subaru Impreza, there isn't another subcompact car on the US market with AWD. Even then, Subaru got in on the subcompact fad with the XV Crosstrek (SUV built on an Impreza). There used to be other options (Toyota Matix/Pontiac Vibe, Suzuki Sx4), but they're all discontinued or out of the US. Everything else is a mini-CUV.