Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Chevrolet brand since 2013, currently in its second generation.

The first generation model was released globally in 2013 as the smallest, entry-level crossover SUV offering from the brand. Development and production were centered in South Korea by GM Korea. A restyled model was also produced as the Buick Encore in North America and as the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka in Europe.

In several markets, the vehicle was marketed as the Chevrolet Tracker, and as the Holden Trax in Australia and New Zealand. The Trax became available in Canada, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, and Europe for the 2013 model year and was released in the United States for the 2015 model year.

In 2019, GM released the replacement of the Trax for China and Latin America, the Tracker. The first-generation Trax continued to be marketed in North America, South Korea, and several other markets until 2022, when it was replaced by the larger second-generation Trax due for the 2024 model year. The second-generation Trax is also marketed in China as the Chevrolet Seeker.

First generation (U200; 2013)
The first-generation Trax (model code U200, designated TJ in Australia) was first shown as a concept car, which was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with the final model unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. It was then available for test driving at the 2013 Montreal International Auto Show, with four essay models shown.

The SUV was in development since 2008 by GM's small vehicle development team centered in South Korea. It is based on the GM Gamma II platform, which is shared with the Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic and the Opel Mokka/Buick Encore. It was marketed as the Holden Trax in Australia and as the Chevrolet Tracker in Russia and South America. For most global markets, the Trax was produced by both GM Korea and GM Mexico. SAIC-GM also produced the model for the Chinese market from the 2015 model year until 2020. GM Uzbekistan also produced this model starting in late 2018.

During 2013 and early 2014, the Trax was only sold in Canada, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, and Europe.

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

In late 2014, the Trax was marketed to more countries including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

South Korea
The Trax was introduced in South Korea in February 2013. It was powered by the 1.4 L turbocharged gasoline engine. In 2015, a 1.6-litre diesel engine was added. The facelift model was introduced in October 2016.

It was the most exported car of South Korea from 2016 to 2018.

United States
The Trax came to the United States as a 2015 model, following the success of the Buick Encore (the Trax and Encore share the GM Gamma II platform) and possible competition from the Jeep Renegade; GM initially had no plans to offer the Trax to the U.S. market. The U.S.-market Trax was largely unchanged from the global version, but had some U.S.-specific features including OnStar with AT&T 4G LTE and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The U.S. version was powered by the 1.4 L turbocharged inline-4 with 138 bhp at 4,900 rpm and 148 lbft at 1,850 rpm. Trailer towing was not recommended. Only the 6-speed automatic transmission was available.

Three trim levels, both available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, are available: LS, LT, and LTZ.

2017 refresh
Chevrolet performed a mid-cycle update on the Trax for the 2017 model year, first unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show on February 12, 2016. The updated Trax carried design cues from the Malibu and Volt, including new halogen projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, dual taillights, and a new grille design. A set of 18-inch aluminum wheels were offered on the Premier model trim. The interior was also redesigned with a new dashboard and center instrument panel. Overall, the 2017 facelift improved Trax's perceived quality. The 2017 Trax went on sale in the fall of 2016.

The Trax continued unchanged for the 2020 model year in North America. It was joined by a slightly larger model, the Trailblazer (no relation to the previous North American or international mid-sized SUVs of the same name).

For the 2021 model year, the base L and high end Premier levels were removed from the offering trims, leaving the bottom-tier LS and now top-tier LT.

Holden Trax (2013–2020)
In Australia and other Oceania markets, the Chevrolet Trax was offered under the Holden brand until that brand was discontinued in 2020. It went on sale in 2013.

Chevrolet Tracker
In Russia and South America, the Trax was instead named the Chevrolet Tracker, which was the name used in North and Latin America from 1989 to 1991 and 1999 to 2008 for a Chevrolet/Geo version of the Suzuki Sidekick.

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

Discontinuation
In China and South America, the first-generation Trax was discontinued and replaced by the Tracker in 2019. It was similar in size to the Trax, but built on a new platform (GEM) for emerging markets and not intended for North America.

General Motors discontinued the first-generation Trax, as well as the related Buick Encore, following the 2022 model year in North America.

Second generation (2023)
The second-generation Trax debuted in China in July 2022 as the Chevrolet Seeker.

The North American second-generation Trax was unveiled in October 2022, with sales beginning in the second quarter of 2023 as a 2024 model. It is larger than the previous model with a lower height. While being larger than the Trailblazer crossover, the Trax is priced below it. Chevrolet expects a $5,000 lower average transaction price compared to Trailblazer.

Chevrolet considered another nameplate for the North American market, reflecting the changes in size and exterior styling compared to the first-generation Trax, choosing instead to keep the Trax nameplate and preserving its name recognition.

In North America, the second-generation Trax is offered in five trim levels: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. The Activ gets accents with a titanium-chrome finish and a faux rear skid plate. All-wheel drive is no longer offered. All models are powered by a 1.2 L turbocharged, three-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 137 hp and 162 lbft. The U.S.-market Trax continues to be manufactured in South Korea.

The second-generation Trax is available with front-wheel drive only. Chevrolet made this decision because the brand offers the Trailblazer, which is available with an all-wheel-drive option. Another reason is because the new Trax was designed as a more versatile replacement for the Cruze sedan and hatchback.

South Korean sales began in late March 2023 in RS, Activ, LT and LS trims.