Chevy Trax: a crossover Sonic?

[JackGSonic]

Jeep Renegade is coming out in 2015. 1.4 turbo, 6 speed, AWD. I must resist test driving one; poor financial decisions may result!

That is just more proof to me that Jeep has completely lost its way. I was a Jeeper before I got the Sonic. Still want an older Jeep for offroading, but nothing from the current generation.


Not sure what kind of market the Trax will pull in. It was renting an Encore (GM Employee Ambassador Program ) that got me sold on a sonic. The interior space was nice, but I really liked the aggressive style the Sonic had. The Trax doesn't have that aggressive appeal as much.

 

[tjmajka]

TRAX=AWD Sonic....sorta

Just read an article about Chevy Trax, which is now available in Canada - a car built entirely on the Sonic platform, with the same powertrain, and being called a "Sonic crossover". Since the car is much, much heavier than the Sonic, I'm guessing it isn't as nimble and eager, although the reviews seemed to be favorable. It's a shame that we in the US won't get the chance to see it any time soon.

This is interesting, because the "urban SUV" market is exploding in the rest of the world, and these new cars are being built on the subcompact platforms: Ford's Ecosport, Chevy's Trax; Honda will be coming out with a crossover built on the Fit platform, and Mazda is talking about its own subcompact crossover. In the US, we only have Nissan Juke and Mini Cooper Countryman. Oh, and Fiat 500L, I guess. Kind of a shame that we always seem to be behind the rest of the world in getting new products in; I have a sense that the growth of the subcompact SUV segment here in the US is actually imminent.

Would be fun to see a Sonic based crossover! Keeping it all in the Sonic family

As soon as you see the interior you can tell the Trax is built on the Sonic mechanicals. Love SONIC, Can't wait to drive a TRAX and see...

 

[CheapFuneral]

As soon as you see the interior you can tell the Trax is built on the Sonic mechanicals. Love SONIC, Can't wait to drive a TRAX and see...

They are nice vehicles.


When I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[laborsmith]

Only auto trans (per my memory) but does have AWD options.

Laborsmith

 

[CheapFuneral]

I believe ur correct. At least the encore is that way.

 

[striper]

Well, unless I missed this post elsewhere, the Chevy Trax will be coming here sooner than later. It will be available in the U.S. The Buick Encore does have some features I would like in a Sonic, but I'd rather have the sporty and quick nature of my Dusk than an overweight Encore.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Id take her suspension any day, but the trax is the encore with less standard stuff on it.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[Sonicus Prime]

I'm liking what I've seen of the Trax so far. I've watched video reviews and I am very tempted to trade up when these become available. The way I see it, the Trax should have just been called the Super Sonic. Living in Michigan, it sure would be nice to have a higher ground clearance and AWD, while not giving up the many aspects I already enjoy in my Sonic.

 

[10spokeSS]

So is it faster than the sonic or not? I don't think it would be.

 

[CheapFuneral]

So is it faster than the sonic or not? I don't think it would be.

No it's gonna be slower unless a larger engine is offered. It's larger and the awd version will even more weight. It will be slow.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!

 

[mja]

wrecked trax = awd parts for sonic opcorn:

 

[CheapFuneral]

I just looked up the awd parts on gmpartsdirect.co and your better off buying an awd trax. You might save 1-2k on installing it yourself in your sonic... But it's really not worth the effort. Whole new rear suspension, carrier, drive shaft, axles, "transfer case", exhaust. With the lower sonic you could run into issues with clearance for the rear end. Also because the suspension set up you may have to actually lift your sonic. (Unless u can find a lowering kit for an awd encore/trax)


**** you auto correct!

 

[barrstev]

it would be worth considering if the trax was available with a manual trans. A gutless 4cyl with an auto trans isn't exactly fun to drive. Chevy needs to take some lessons from Audi on this one.

 

[DaBlackapino]

I like the Traxx but It's just that I'm not to into SUV's..let alone Sub Comapct ones.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I myself think the trax is a neat idea, but it just fell flat on its face for the finished product. AWD, Excellent Addition... Interior Design, Good... (Instrument cluster is better laid out than the sonic's i think)... Exterior Design, Non-appealing in every way!

I just think they tried to make it too basic and thus ended up with a very bland exterior that doesnt provide any kind of look at me thrills like other SUVs have. The counter part Encore is far more appealing.

Just my thoughts...

 

[CheapFuneral]

And its counterpart is a few thousand more... There's a reason they went bland, you can't have your cake and theirs too


**** you auto correct!

 

[The Champ]

Exterior Design, Non-appealing in every way!

I just think they tried to make it too basic and thus ended up with a very bland exterior that doesnt provide any kind of look at me thrills like other SUVs have. The counter part Encore is far more appealing.

Just my thoughts...

Styling is subjective.

I personally think the Encore is ugly and like the looks of the Trax much better. Plus the Trax has a better color selection - once again - that's my opinion.

And it's thousand's of $$$'s less than the Encore.

 

[jgrote]

My biggest issue with it is the price. I can get an Impreza wagon for the same price. I'm sure the AWD in the Chevy may be adequate, but for the price there are better options. (and I can get a 6sp AND AWD in a Scooby) Oh how I wish they made the AWD with a stick. I'm one of those idiots that would do the swap.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

My biggest issue with it is the price. I can get an Impreza wagon for the same price. I'm sure the AWD in the Chevy may be adequate, but for the price there are better options. (and I can get a 6sp AND AWD in a Scooby) Oh how I wish they made the AWD with a stick. I'm one of those idiots that would do the swap.

Years ago I rented a AWD Saturn Vue and drove from Denver to our resort. It was snowing a LOT. Up some hairpin turns the thing revealed how piss-poor the GM system (versatrak) was. It would be in front wheel drive mode and spin front tires going up the hairpins, then that would cause

1. understeer when you're trying to turn and
2. spinning tires would cause versatrack to send a morse-code signal to someone, relayed to someone else doing smoke signals, then finally at some point the versatrack would kick in the rear axle power and then suddenly it would oversteer unexpectedly.

I tried "tossing" the thing into a slick corner and powersliding around it but this system it was so poor that and there was no "lock on". I was bummed. When I got out later on it smelled like a hot clutch sort of thing. Granted, that was years ago and newer ones are different, but Sub has had a great system for many years and has the bugs worked out. Love Sonic but wouldn't really get too excited about the 4wd version.

Subie has the best system, this side of Audi.

 

[tainopayute]

I'm not a fan of SUV's or Crossover's but there's something about that Buick Encore that just catches my attention.