Surprise: The 2026 Chevrolet Trax LT
All this talk about the "average new car" costing $50,000 is a bit misleading. And if I've used that phrase myself, I apologize. Let me set the record straight.
The average transaction price for new car purchases is now roughly $50,000. That number factors in six-figure SUVs and $80,000 pickups and $200,000 luxury cars, all of which drag the average higher. There are good cars---several of them---at, near or under $30,000 and one of them is the Chevrolet Trax.
To the extent that you can draw a distinction between "domestic" and "import" automakers anymore (Honda's been building cars here for 40 years), there's a perception that when the "domestics" stopped building compact sedans, they stopped building economical cars at reasonable prices, and if it was ever true, it's not now.
For those of us who watched Honda and Toyota and to a lesser extent Nissan eat GM and Ford's lunches in compact cars 40 years ago, it requires a little mental re-orientation to realize that right now, one of the most useful, reasonable small cars on the market---is a Chevy.
But if you have a long enough memory, it makes perfect sense.
Chevy has a long history---all the way back to 1911. There were significant cars all along the way. But the car that more than any other cemented Chevy's reputation as "America's car" was the 1955. It was contemporary, it was sensibly sized (the late 50s bloat had yet to arrive), economical to operate and reasonably-priced.
Chevy has, several times, most notably with the original 1964 Chevelle, tried to get back to that simple package of basic goodness. But market forces usually end up demanding fancier trim, more powerful engines, styling updates---all of which inflate the price and reduce the operating efficiency.
Some people look at the Chevrolet Trax and see a subcompact SUV and yes, it is that. But I also see the modern-day equivalent of the '55 Chevy.
No, it doesn't have a V8 you can hotrod under a shady tree, but nobody does that anymore. What is there is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. There's a six-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 takes 8.8 seconds, which is not quick, but it's 2.7 seconds quicker than Honda's direct Trax competitor, the HR-V. And it beats the HR-V in the EPA city fuel economy estimate---28 mpg to the Honda's 26. The EPA says both do 32 mpg on the highway.
And it drives really nice. It's smooth. It handles well. It's reasonably quiet.
The Trax also beats the HR-V (and every other competitor in the class) in cargo space---25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 54.1 with those folded flat. And rear-seat legroom is stunning for a subcompact SUV---38.7 inches.
And now, the big part---the reason the headline reads "Surprise".
The base price of the 2026 Chevrolet Trax 1LT is $23,200 ($24,995 including destination). That money buys you a solid list of standard equipment (see the window sticker at the end of this review) that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
And, in news that broke just hours before this review was scheduled to go live, GM announced that it will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its new user interface, which will debut on the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks, and then spread across the automaker's broader portfolio.
Our new UI integrates Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay with our native system, giving customers the best of both worlds. Content appears in a large card window alongside native apps like trailering and vehicle status. Drivers can seamlessly move between the two experiences, taking advantage of the features developed specifically for their truck and their device.
That's very good news. Regular readers know I've been urging GM to abandon its plan to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, citing both my own experiences with GM's system and American Trucks' survey showing the move was a deal-breaker for prospective buyers.
Our tester also had four extra-cost option packages---the Sunroof Package, which includes wireless phone charging ($895), the Driver Confidence Package, which adds rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, adaptive cruise control and rear parking assist ($795), the Midnight Edition Package, with 17-inch high-gloss alloy wheels and black exterior trim ($695), and the LT Convenience Package, which adds a heated wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, heated front seats, and heated dual outside power mirrors ($595).
The end result is a very well-equipped vehicle for an as-tested price of $27,975.
Frankly, I don't know how you beat that. Yes, there are some direct rivals that get to 60 quicker from a standing start. Is that worth a few thousand bucks?
The Chevrolet Trax is just a good, straightforward car at a remarkably reasonable price. As it was in 1955, that's an achievement, and it deserves the same kind of respect and sales success.
2026 Chevrolet Trax 1LT at a glance:
Price: $23,200 base/$27,975 as tested
Engine: 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder
Horsepower: 137
Torque: 162 lb-ft.
Transmission: Six speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3,040 lbs.
0-60 Acceleration (Car and Driver data): 8.8 seconds
EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 28 mpg city/32 mpg highway
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons
EPA Range Estimate: 396 miles
Class competitors: Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Ford Bronco Sport, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen Taos, Buick Envista, Buick Encore GX, Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota Corolla Cross, Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
