We have been conditioned to believe that the word “capability” can only lend itself to certain things. This is especially true in the automotive world. Big trucks would have you believe that they are the only vehicles that fit this specific definition of utility. And it tends to work, for the most part. “Capable” and “capability” are selling points for every truck out there. This is why you hear them so frequently on truck commercials. However, capability can also come in much smaller sizes, for instance, the 2020 Chevy Trax.
If everyone was in need of a pickup truck, we would all buy and drive pickup trucks. Same goes for sedans, SUVs, minivans, motorcycles, etc. But, we all have individual driving needs that require different and unique vehicles. We don’t all require the heavy-duty performance of pickup trucks and our definitions of “capability” vary greatly from driver to driver.
On the outside, the 2020 Chevy Trax may not seem capable of much. On the inside, though, you may just be pleasantly surprised, depending on how you define capable. Take a look at a few of the key aspects of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax and see if they fit your definition.
Engine
The 2020 Chevy Trax has one engine, a 1.4L inline 4-cylinder that gets 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Now, this engine won’t win any weightlifting competitions, nor do we suggest you tow anything even slightly substantial behind it. It does, however, have exceptional gas mileage.
The 2020 Chevy Trax will get you up to 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. An engine like this is ideally suited for urban driving, with the occasional excursion on the open roads. It has enough power to smoothly merge with traffic at any on-ramp while having enough subtle feel to efficiently navigate tight downtown streets.
It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that aids greatly in maneuvering through traffic. This engine, transmission and the overall size of the Trax make it ideally suited for deft handling through heavy traffic, whether it is in town or out in the suburbs. If you tried some of the same moves in a larger, clunkier SUV, you will likely find you cannot move with the same ease as you could with the 2020 Chevy Trax. This type of capability will not be experienced, much less appreciated, by everyone.
Interior
For having such a less than impressive exterior, the 2020 Chevy Trax has a surprisingly spacious interior. It seems like it would be a cramped fit, for both passengers and cargo alike, but this feature is deceptively on the plus side for both.
Subcompact SUVs like the 2020 Chevy Trax are not known for their spaciousness. Anyone who looks at a vehicle in the “subcompact” class looking for a roomy cabin is on a fool’s errand. But, the 2020 Chevy Trax has much more than is initially advertised just by looking at it. This is due to a few distinct design specifications, which we will get into in a minute.
As far as you and your passengers go, you can all sit relatively comfortably in either the front seat or the back seat. The front seat offers 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.8 inches of legroom. That should be more than enough for adults to ride in comfort, unless you have a lot of abnormally tall friends. The same goes for the second-row, which clocks in at 38.8 inches for headroom and 35.7 inches for legroom. Both the front and back seat, but especially the back seat, offer exceptional hip room for this class of vehicle. This adds even more space, but in a dimension that you might not immediately think is important.
The reason for the added hip room is that the back end of the 2020 Chevy Trax is unusually wide. You may notice that the Trax tapers slightly from the rear to the front. This extra-wide rear end offers more room for rear passengers to sit comfortably, but it also allows for more cargo space in a class of vehicle where cargo space is a rare commodity.
The rear of the 2020 Chevy Trax also sits slightly higher than most other comparable vehicles, at both the base and roof of the vehicle. Combine that with the wider body, and you get a boxy backside that is perfect for added interior space. The rearmost compartment holds 18.7 cubic feet of space, which is significantly more than a sedan. When the second row of seats is down, the cubic area jumps up to 48.4 cubic feet. For a vehicle the size of the 2020 Chevy Trax, that is a very large amount, and it is due almost entirely to the cleverly designed rear end.
Tech Features
As stated before, not every vehicle is built for everyone. In the United States, we have multiple generations of drivers that need multiple levels of technology. Older drivers may not be comfortable with the latest gadgets that are ubiquitous in modern vehicles. Most teenage drivers probably need fewer distractions in order to keep their attention focused on the road in front of them.
But, for the right driver, the 2020 Chevy Trax is loaded down with some of the most modern technology known to the automotive industry. Many of these features come in the form of connectivity. To the right generation (read the generation that the Trax is marketed to, i.e., millennials), connectivity in a vehicle is as important as any other feature. Maybe even more so.
The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featured on the 2020 Chevy Trax, is loaded with standard and available connectivity features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth connectivity. This means that you can instantly and easily access your music, podcasts, and other information from your phone without having to actually look at your phone.
Available apps include Chevy’s OnStar system, which also includes navigation, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and multiple USB ports. Chevy also has the myChevrolet Mobile App, which allows you to turn the engine on, unlock doors, set maintenance reminders, and more from your phone. If you do have a younger driver that you wish to entrust your Trax to, Chevy also added the Teen Driver feature. This allows you to keep track of things like speed and other driving habits your teen driver has, without having to be in the car yourself.
Capability is a very subjective term. One man’s capable might be another man’s overkill, while one man’s capable might not nearly be enough for the other. We don’t all drive heavy-duty trucks capable of hauling tens of thousands of pounds. Nor do we drive luxury sedans with all the finest appointments offered. Sometimes capability is in the eye of the beholder.
For a vehicle the size, and price, of the 2020 Chevy Trax, it is sure to find more than its fair share of drivers who find its capability right in their wheelhouse. It may not be 0-60 in three seconds, and it may not be able to haul around a youth soccer team, but for its $21,300 starting price, it is certainly capable of selling a few units.
