The 2024 Chevrolet Trax Leaps Trailblazer in Size

• The 2024 Chevrolet Trax will start at $21,495, and its top Activ trim starts below $25,000.

• The new compact crossover loses its turbocharged I4 and is now powered by the turbocharged I3 also found in the Chevy Trailblazer.

• Chevrolet says the reborn Trax will hit dealer showrooms in spring of 2023.

Chevrolet Trax fans rejoice! While it looked grim for Chevy’s compact crossover, the company is officially bringing it back for another generation. Jumping onto a new platform with a new powertrain, the Trax still fits the bill as one of Chevrolet’s entry points. With the same underpinnings as the reborn Trailblazer, the new Trax sets its eyes on the budget-conscious consumer who wants a slightly larger crossover than the Trailblazer.

Powering the new Trax isn’t the old 1.4-liter four-cylinder but instead a 1.2-liter turbocharged I3. That shouldn’t be a major surprise for those familiar with the latest Trailblazer, as it’s effectively the same engine. In Trax trim, this 1.2-liter three-cylinder sends 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. That's less power than from the current Trax, which boasts 155 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. If you’re wondering why the Trailblazer’s CVT or all-wheel-drive system didn’t make the cut, the answer is simple: cost.

Until now, the Trax was smaller than the Trailblazer. But surprisingly, the new '24 Trax is actually larger than the Trailblazer. Clocking in 11 inches longer than the outgoing, 167.6-inch Trax, the new model also bests the 173.5-inch-long Trailblazer. Taking advantage of the extra length, the folks at Chevy stretched the Trax’s wheelbase by almost 6 inches compared to the outgoing model. This longer wheelbase should make the Trax more stable at highway speeds. The extra size also means there’s more space for passengers and cargo: 3 inches more legroom for second-row passengers and 12% more cargo space.

On the inside, you’ll find an 8-inch media screen affixed to the dashboard of LS and 1RS spec models. More upmarket Trax models sport an ample 11-inch screen, which is flanked by an 8-inch digital driver information cluster. That 8-inch screen is a slight upgrade over the current Trax’s 7.0-inch offering.

With cost being a deciding factor for the Trax, you might be wondering how inflated this upcoming model is compared to the current model. Chevrolet will sell you a ’22 Trax LS for $22,895. The ’24 model starts at $21,495 in LS trim. The most expensive Trax is the Activ trim that squeezes under $25k by $5. Chevrolet says you’ll start seeing these hit the dealer lots next spring.

Do you think the Trax makes sense in Chevy’s lineup? Tell us your thoughts below.