Chevy Trax vs. GMC Terrain – MAKING TRAX…TO THE TERRAIN

Chevy Trax vs. GMC Terrain

MAKING TRAX…TO THE TERRAIN

“Honey, as much as I’ve loved our scoot-around-town car, I feel like it might be time for a little more space. Want to look with me? I was thinking we might start looking at…”

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking the same thing lately. How about a mid-size crossover that we could take off-road?”

“What? Something like that will bust our budget. How about something a little smaller and sporty?”

Sound familiar? Yup, it’s exactly the kind of conversation that often takes place when couples are starting to shop for that new vehicle.

In the past few weeks, we were privileged to test drive a couple of vehicles that exemplify the kind of car shopping experiences that many people go through.  When I worked at a car dealership I often had shoppers who came in looking at one vehicle and often left with something totally different – either bigger or smaller, more expensive or less expensive – than they initially wanted.  

I test drove two new General Motors crossovers, both of which I really liked. And although they were similar in size, they were quite different and offered customers a very specific driving experience.  

Several weeks ago, I test drove a Marina Blue Metallic 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS that came with a $27,480 MSRP price tag.  Powered by a 137 hp, inline three cylinder Ecotec 1.2 liter turbocharged engine, the Trax is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.  EPA estimated fuel economy ratings are 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.  I’ve driven a couple of three-cylinder vehicles before and found them seriously lacking.  However, the Trax engine was both reasonably peppy and fun to drive.  I never drove it with a full load of passengers, so I suspect that might have changed my perspective of such a small powertrain with more load.

The 2RS trim is the sportiest trim level for the Trax with 19-inch aluminum wheels and some body molding to give the little crossover a more aggressive stance over the base model.  But overall, the 2RS trim doesn’t handle or deliver any more performance over the more affordable trim packages.  

The interior of the Trax is remarkably roomy for such a little vehicle.  The materials tend to the hard plastic variety, but for the price it’s what you should expect.  The instrument panel is an eight-inch digital layout and the eleven-inch infotainment touchscreen is adequate although lacking in a navigation feature.  But again, the Trax is a budget crossover with a lot to offer for the price and delivers in a lot of areas that new car shoppers will appreciate.

A couple of weeks later I had the opportunity to play with a Riverstone Metallic 2026 GMC Terrain AT4 AWD, priced at an MSRP of $43,650.  The Terrain is powered by a 175 hp, 1.5 liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.  EPA estimated fuel economy ratings are 24 in the city and 26 on the highway.  Although just a bit larger than the Trax, the Terrain AT4 delivers an off-road package that gives this crossover a very different look and feel.  There’s distinctive AT4 badging and a lifted ride height along with red front recovery hooks, just in case you get a little too off-road and need help getting back to civilization.  To protect the engine, there’s a front skid plate with a steel underbody shield.  And you get 17″ dark machined aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires to complete both the look and capability.  

The interior of the Terrain really sets it apart from the Trax.  The front seat headrests are embroidered with the AT4 logo and the dark plastic doesn’t feel that hard and brittle.  It’s the 15-inch tablet-style infotainment screen that’s the winner in my opinion.  The navigation system really shines when combined with this layout.  

There you have it: Two GM vehicles with clearly different offerings for the new car buyer.  In my family, I leaned toward the Chevrolet Trax due to its (surprise, surprise) lower price tag.  But, the Trax, although it is smaller than the Terrain, provides ample room for four along with a good amount of cargo room behind the rear seats.  

I suspect my wife would lean toward the Terrain, which offers a touch of luxury, even though it’s not the upscale Denali trim.  The Terrain’s interior is also a clear winner.  But all that does come with a higher price tag.  

So, what’s your pick?