Driving the Trax… to the tracks and back to affordability
One of the biggest challenges facing the modern automotive industry is affordability.
Not long ago, in 2019, the average transaction price for a new vehicle in America hovered around $36,000. Fast forward just six years and that number has surged past $50,000. That is a dramatic jump, and it puts new cars out of reach for many buyers who simply need a dependable vehicle to get to work, school or the grocery store.
Enter the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, a compact crossover that bends the needle toward sanity and affordability.
With a tested price of $28,385, the sporty Trax 2RS lands more than $20k below today’s average new-car price, yet it arrives with a surprising amount of technology, comfort and style. In other words, this is a solutions-oriented vehicle for buyers who want something modern without signing up for luxury-car payments.
Driving the Trax… to the tracks
For this week’s Saturday Drive adventure, my longtime friend and unofficial Chief Lieutenant test driver Roger Adams suggested an unusual destination.
Since the vehicle’s name is Trax, why not drive it to the tracks?
Roger reminded me that Colorado’s famous Winter Park Ski Train runs from Denver through the Front Range foothills each winter weekend. The route winds through 36 tunnels, including the historic Moffat Tunnel, before reaching the ski slopes. So we did exactly that on Sunday afternoon route.
There is something magical about standing near the rails as a passenger train glides past, skis stacked inside the cars and tired but happy skiers heading home after a day on the slopes. It was a perfect Colorado backdrop for photos and a fitting moment for a vehicle whose name practically demanded the outing.
Small Engine, big efficiency
Under the hood, the Trax uses Chevroletap Ecotec 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA rates MPG at 30/average, 32/highway, 28/city
Itap not built to be a street racer, but it performs its mission well. Independent testing shows the Trax reaching 0–60 mph in about nine seconds, which feels perfectly adequate for merging onto Denver freeways or climbing the foothill highways west of town.
More importantly, the engine is smooth, efficient and well matched to the vehicle’s mission as a practical daily commuter.
Chevroletap StabiliTrak stability control, traction control and electric power steering keep the vehicle planted and predictable on the road.
Technology that feels upscale
Where the Trax truly surprises is in its cabin technology.
Chevrolet has equipped the vehicle with a striking 11-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen, paired with an 8-inch driver information display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with remote start and keyless entry.
The 2RS trim adds sporty touches including a flat-bottom heated steering wheel, heated front seats and Chevroletap durable Evotex seating material.
Active noise cancellation helps keep the cabin quiet, while a six-speaker audio system provides solid sound for the daily commute.
Considering the price point, the interior feels impressively modern.
A sporty look outside
The 2RS trim also gives the Trax an athletic personality.
The exterior features 19-inch black machined wheels, gloss-black mirror caps, LED headlamps and daytime running lights, a rear spoiler and black roof rails. The wide body moldings and bold stance give the compact crossover a surprisingly aggressive appearance.
In short, this is not an economy car that looks like one.
Safety where it counts
Chevrolet loads the Trax with safety technology as well.
Standard Chevy Safety Assist includes:
• Forward collision alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front pedestrian braking
• Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
• Following distance indicator
• IntelliBeam automatic headlights
Practical solution to rising car prices
As I watched Roger and the ski train roll past on its return to Denver, it struck me that the Trax reflects something important about today’s automotive market.
Not everyone needs a giant SUV. Not everyone wants to pay luxury-car prices.
What many buyers want instead is exactly what Chevrolet has delivered here: a stylish, efficient and well-equipped vehicle that remains within reach of ordinary budgets.
In an era when new-car prices continue to climb, the 2026 Chevrolet Trax proves that affordability and modern features can still share the same road.
And sometimes, if you choose your destinations carefully, the Trax can even take you to the tracks. You know….those tracks with the shiny ski trains.
Update on Bud Wells
After closing out decades of service publishing this weekly report, Bud still reviews cars on his own website and has a newsletter to report those out.
Retired CJDR dealer John Schenden and I drove to Greeley March 16 for lunch with Bud at Meeker’s. It was great to catch up on news.
Email: timwjacksoncae@gmail.com
Phone: 303-667-3995
