For those in the market for a cheap-and-cheerful new crossover, few machines fulfil both sides of that equation quite as well as the Chevrolet Trax. The 2026 model starts at $23,495, including freight, and features loads of space, funky interior elements, solid infotainment, and a reasonably torquey engine hitched to a conventional automatic transmission. However, the Trax is getting an update for 2027, and an equivalent to the least expensive LS trim doesn’t seem to have made the cut for the new model year.
In case you aren’t familiar with the Trax, it’s one of the most popular small crossovers in America for good reason. Sure, it may only have a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine pumping out 137 horsepower, but 162 lb.-ft. of torque available low down makes it more sprightly around town than you’d expect. A starting price in the low-to-mid 20s and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto go a long way, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s become one of Chevrolet’s most popular models. It’s also been on sale for three years now, meaning it’s prime for a mid-cycle update.
Indeed, that’s exactly what it’s receiving for 2027. A little nip/tuck to keep things looking fresh. It’s not strictly necessary considering sales of the pre-facelift model increased 16.27 percent in the third quarter of 2026 to 57,917 examples, but these sorts of things are planned well in advance, and the public’s appetite for the little crossover has been more voracious than expected. I won’t lie, the updates look good.
Up front, Chevrolet’s pulled a bit of an Uno reverse card with the brightwork, yoinking it off of the standard trims and adding some to the range-topping Activ model. At the same time, the split-headlight treatment’s been refined with more horizontal elements and the grillework’s grown a touch more mature. There’s also a fantastic new shade of orange available, but the most dramatic changes to the new Trax happen around back.
If there was one visual weak spot to the old Trax, it was that the rear end was a bit plain. Not anymore, as reworked taillights now stretch across the hatch, connected with a dark piece of trim. This adds visual width and neatly frames the recess for the licence plate. In fact, the hatch (now available with power operation) and bumper are also both new, with refined surfacing and sleeker reflectors set in the valence. This is the single biggest update that’ll make the Trax look more expensive than it is, but the revisions don’t stop with the butt-lift.
Inside the Trax, Chevrolet’s splashed the cash on some new dashboard elements, including a switch from circular to hexagonal outboard climate control vents. This seems to have required a new upper dash pad which looks rather smart, and that’s not the only update. The digital gauge cluster is now hoodless, the infotainment screen is now larger for easier tile presses, and the climate controls have been revised to feature wider horizontal rows of real buttons.
So far so promising, but there’s one concern: Chevrolet is paring down the number of Trax trim levels to three for 2027. The cheapest steel-wheeled LS trim is gone, there’s no more 1RS trim, and the entry point to the range is now the LT trim. For 2026, the Trax LT was priced identical to the Trax 1RS, but $24,995 is a step up in price from $23,495. Mind you, pricing for the 2027 model hasn’t been announced yet, but don’t be surprised if it climbs a touch to keep pace with inflation, as is traditional with most new cars.
While few people were likely buying the old Trax LS, it definitely served a need. As such, it will be missed, hubcaps and all, for it got people who couldn’t quite stretch to the next trim level up into a safe, warrantied, easy-to-finance new car. On paper, this is looking like trimflation, but we’ll have to wait and see where pricing lands before casting final judgment. With the updated Trax set to go on sale this Spring, don’t be surprised if we learn more about pricing relatively early in the new year.
Top graphic credit: Chevrolet
I think these are more or less filling the Altima void, because holy shit are the ones I encounter in the wild driven maniacally. My wife and I were nearly sent off of this mortal coil by one doing 90 in a 55 that blasted clean through a red light a few weeks ago. The macabre humor I find in that is these things are SLOW…so you know whoever is doing 30 over in them has had their foot to the floor for like 10 consecutive seconds.
You really have to want to drive antisocially in one of these, but Americans uhhhhh…find a way.
I love the look of these, but the fuel mileage seems abysmal for what it is.
I wonder what the take rate was on those lower trims, it could be that not having them could save some money by simplifying production, though whether or not that savings ends up in GM’s pocket or the customer’s remains to be seen.
“a safe, warrantied, easy-to-finance new car” is getting harder to find. Used is also not always the perfect alternative these days either. I miss cheap new hatchbacks and small trucks.
Ease of financing?
I’m sure Stellantis has got a 96month deal on a HEMI powered RAM or Jeep with payments that you can compare against the price of avocado toast
GM is exiting a market?
Quick, put all your chips into it being the new hotness.
Wow, ok, glad to see Chevy is not reading any of my comments on this esteemed web-blog.
I’m not surprised to see the Trax with a revised nose, updated taillights and a more engaging rear treatment.
After all, Chevy is always looking for ways to cover their Trax.
I’ll show myself out.
Boo this man!