2025 Chevy Trax?

[fantastic]

It strikes me as the spiritual successor of the HHR, a value-engineered vehicle. Not a slam, we need more things in this price range, but beware of the bean counters.

I always assumed the HHR was for the older folks that went after the nostalgia looks of it. The Trax strikes me as younger buyers. But I'm not sure how they are positioned to be honest. You're probably right.

 

[GSCJR]

From Google AI......
A wet timing belt change on a Chevy Trax typically costs between $700 and $900 including parts and labor, depending on your location and the mechanic you choose, with most estimates falling around the $800 mark; remember to always factor in the cost of replacing the water pump at the same time as it's often recommended when changing the timing belt.

(Take with a grain of salt)

@sw99, at the 150k mile mark, it's a 10 hour job plus the belts (cam and oil pump), not including the water pump service. The water pump alone is over $300 for the genuine GM pump; buyer beware.

 

[Tdbo]

I always assumed the HHR was for the older folks that went after the nostalgia looks of it. The Trax strikes me as younger buyers. But I'm not sure how they are positioned to be honest. You're probably right.

Same target market.
BIL traded off his '08 HHR on his.
Friend traded off her '11 Cruze on hers.

 

[BobsArmory]

My daughter bought one this summer. She has 8,000 ish miles on it traveling the highways around Detroit/Ann Arbor and loves it. Never once complained about the power. I drove it and it seemed zippy enough. Had no problems merging onto I-94 during rush hour traffic.

 

[John105]

He has, unfortunately he thinks a 1992 k20 would be a good commuter for 70 miles a day, 5 days a week

I'm good with that!

This AM saw a newly minted teen driver park this baby. Likely they have no idea how the original owner waited 10-12 weeks for it to arrive and could barely sleep those two plus months, and it's a pretty darn good car with a true dual. To them it's just some heap with broken steering.

edit p.s. it even has the ZSP aka sport package, auto though

#pleasebepatient!

 

[Oillover]

I never realized the Trax wasn't AWD (I had to look it up on the Chevy website just to be sure). There seems to be a dwindling number of FWD-only vehicles in the market these days.

It's basically a Chevy Spark on stilts.

 

[Oillover]

150k belt life isn't too bad.

When Ford introduced the wet belt, 100k miles was the interval with many complaints of total failure long before 100k miles.

YMMV

 

[eljefino]

Really? I always seem to get the opposite - the car rusts away while the engine continues to purr like a kitten forever. But I've yet to own one of these new Korean-designed engines yet so maybe that has changed.

It's been said that a Chevy will run long after the competition hits the junkyards... not running well, but running. Presumably every light on the dash is on, etc. Durability is not the same as reliability when you get a stubborn DIY owner and cheap parts.

I'm wondering about this whole 1.2/1.3 liter 3 cylinder engine "competition", if GM is auditioning them both to see which one works out better. This reverses the trend that started in the 70s of putting Chevy motors in everything and calling them "GM Powertrain."

 

[Corollaman]

I owned a 2024 Trax for one year, I ended up trading it in on another Corolla. The Trax was a nice vehicle overall, there were some cost cutting measures though. No rear vents or rear armrest, the doors didn't have padding where you rest your arm. There isn't really anything covered underneath the car, you could literally swing the muffler back and forth on the hangers. Oil changes were easy. Gas mileage for me was around 30 mpg overall. I'll be honest the wet belt, small turbo eventually got to me.

 

[c502cid]

I will tell you that one of the guys in my group rented one week before last. Brand spankin new. He said he was tempted to jump out of it as he tried to merge on the highway and start pushing. He said "lacks power" is an understatement. He did not give the SUV, overall, a very good review. Lack of power may frustrate a 23 year old that spent his/her money on it.

"Power" in any vehicle is subjective. If I go from my pickup to my Trax I'd say the Trax has no power. If I go from the Trax to my Civic, I'd say walking is faster. However, all will get up to highway speeds safely, which is more than I could say for the 68 VW Bug or 72 Pinto I owned back in the day. When someone says lacks power, the next question is "compared to what?"

 

[97prizm]

Looking to replace a vehicle in the fleet. When I was doing some research, Car & Driver rated it #1 in the sub compact SUV market, and it received the Editor's Choice Award. I think it's one of the best looking vehicles in the small SUV market for sure. The Car Care Nut on YT did a review and overall, it was pretty positive. Interesting that it uses two timing belts though. These belts are actually wet belts too so that is interesting. I haven't owned a new Chevy vehicle in some time. Is this actually work taking a harder look at? Does anyone own one of these, that can provide some feedback?

Whats an oil bath timing belt service going to cost for replacement down the road? Didn't Ford have issues with their oil bath timing belt in the 1.0 liter 3 cylinder engine in the fiesta?

 

[GSCJR]

@97prizm , see post #42

 

[ls1mike]

I think its one of the better looking vehicles on the road today, but what usually happens in these situations with GM is the powertrain falls apart in 5 years and there is terrible plastic engineering under the hood that makes certain parts disintegrate.

Really? I need to run home and tell my 2000 WS6, 2003 Duramax, 2005 Buick, 2014 Caprice, and 2015 Malibu. That way they know it is ok to stop giving me all the trouble free miles they have...

 

[sw99]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback everyone. The other vehicles we are considering are the CX-30 & the Corolla Cross. The CX-30 is probably the next closest choice for us. We owned one and liked it but sold ours due to the size of the fuel tank and milage range. That car was hard to beat for 27k and AWD with a true 6 speed transmission and a tried-and-true engine.

 

[panthermike]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback everyone. The other vehicles we are considering are the CX-30 & the Corolla Cross. The CX-30 is probably the next closest choice for us. We owned one and liked it but sold ours due to the size of the fuel tank and milage range. That car was hard to beat for 27k and AWD with a true 6 speed transmission and a tried-and-true engine.

I'd have a hard time picking a Trax over a CX-30, but totally understand the Trax is a good value proposition. Best of luck!

 

[SC Maintenance]

Made by GM in South Korea - the former Daewoo.

I must admit they look pretty nice for the price point.

Honestly though I would think a couple grand more for a Corolla Cross or HRV would be a better deal long term - especially if he trades it at some point.

 

[GSCJR]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback everyone. The other vehicles we are considering are the CX-30 & the Corolla Cross. The CX-30 is probably the next closest choice for us. We owned one and liked it but sold ours due to the size of the fuel tank and milage range. That car was hard to beat for 27k and AWD with a true 6 speed transmission and a tried-and-true engine.

Not sure if you've seen one, I did for the first time yesterday; Toyota Crown hatchback, just sayin'.

 

[wemay]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback everyone. The other vehicles we are considering are the CX-30 & the Corolla Cross. The CX-30 is probably the next closest choice for us. We owned one and liked it but sold ours due to the size of the fuel tank and milage range. That car was hard to beat for 27k and AWD with a true 6 speed transmission and a tried-and-true engine.

I really like the TRAX. But now, understanding it uses a wet belt, id go with the Corolla Cross. The CX-30 is a little cramped for my family.
All the best of luck with your choice and purchase.

 

[ls1mike]

I really do like the Mazda options and they are priced fairly reasonable

 

[SatinSilver]

A new Mazda 3 sedan with the 2.5 NA engine and a 6 speed auto is a great combination. They can be had for around 23k. Just look on Autotrader.