CHEVY GOES SMALL WITH NEW TRAX

Chevrolet Trax will be the brand's smallest
SUV, announced at the 2010 Paris Auto Show

By Alexandra Straub, Ottawa Citizen, Driving Local - When people think of Chevrolet, the first word that comes to mind isn't necessarily "small".  After all, the longest-running nameplate in the company is the Suburban -- with more than 75 years on the road.  It's not what you'd call a compact vehicle.  But that doesn't mean the brand hasn't evolved.  This year, they launched their mini car, the Spark, which is the smallest vehicle in their model lineup and an id4eal companion for urban environments.

And a recent announcement at the 2012 Paris Auto Show marked the introduction of Chevy's smallest sport utility to date: the 2013 Trax.

With the compact crossover segment really taking flight, it was only a natural decision to introduce a vehicle with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, an efficient package and pleasant styling cues.  Having had the opportunity to take some pre-production Traxes for a spin, I think they're headed in the right direction.

Design
What would a Chevrolet be without a little chrome?  While this signature staple in execution wasn't overlooked, there are not too many shiny parts to distract one from the over-all peppy outside appearance.  There are some bold lines that work together to create the architecture of the outside.

Up front, the Chevy bow tie separates but also binds together the upper and lower parts of the grille.  There's an understated centre line crease on the hood and funky-looking halogen headlamps complete the front end.

Walking around the vehicle, there's a rearward roof spoiler and the offering of 16- or 18-inch wheels.

Sit inside and you'll find another well-executed cabin.  Over the last few years, Chevrolet has been on a roll when it comes to delivering an interior that has both visual appeal and creature comforts.

There are four trims available: LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ.  The 2LT and LTZ come standard with the MyLink infotainment system.  It's a seven-inch touch screen that acts as an extension of your smart phone.  It's intuitive to use and the colours on the display are vibrant and rich.

I'm not a huge fan of the volume control function -- I prefer twisting a knob rather than pushing the arros up on the screen -- but it doesn't deter my appreciation for the system as a whole.

Performance
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the LS model, and the LT and LTZ models receive a six-speed automatic transmission.

Regardless of trim chosen, the Trax is propelled by a 1.4L, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an output of 138 horsepower and 148 foot-pounds of torque.  If these specs look familiar, they are.  It's the same turbocharged engine that's found in the Cruze and Sonic RS.

When it comes to fuel economy, with the front-wheel-drive model equipped with the manual transmission, it uses an estimated 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.7L/100 km on the highway.  Opt for the automatic transmission and you're looking at an estimated 8.1L/100 km in the city and 5.9L/100 km on the highway.

Having had the opportunity to drive the LTZ with the AWD and the six-speed automatic, the car doesn't feel too underpowered.  It tips the scale at 1,380 kg, but still has a decent amount of juice to get it and keep it going.

Driving/Utility
Because the Trax is based on the same platform as the Sonic, it has a tendency to have car-like characteristics rather than those of an SUV.  That incorporates fluid movement through its electric power steering, easy manoeuvrability and minimal effort when parking.

With the rear 60/40 split seats folded flat, there's up to 48.4 cubic feet of storage space.

Furthermore, the front passenger seat can be folded flat, offering additional flexibility for longer items.  There are a total of eight seating combinations and configurations to play around with.

When the 2013 Trax hits the market in the near future, I'm looking forward to a little more seat time.  They're enjoyable to drive.