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[TEST DRIVE] GM Korea bets big on Chevy Trax Crossover but keeps cost small

Published: 28 Mar. 2023, 11:39 Updated: 03 Apr. 2023, 09:27

Chevy Trax Crossover, a fully revamped version in a decade. [GM KOREA]

PAJU, Gyeonggi – Sedan? An SUV? If you still don’t know what to pick, how about a crossover?

The latest Chevy Trax Crossover is now available in Korea with an extremely cheap price tag, even cheaper than Hyundai’s Kona and Kia’s Seltos.

The Trax is the first fully revamped version in a decade. The crossover utility vehicle (CUV), which is between a sedan and an SUV, offers a wider interior and views like SUVs but weighs less.

Developed by GM Korea, the Korean unit of General Motors, it also comes with various exclusive features that are only offered to Korean customers.

The Korea JoongAng Daily recently got behind the wheel of a red-colored Trax on a 35–kilometer (22-mile) journey from Goyang to Paju, Gyeonggi.

Exterior-wise, the Trax is much like Trailblazer, a small SUV also from Chevrolet.

Chevy Trax Crossover on the road [GM KOREA]

But its muscular body shape and slim roofline give a sporty look, which may be a plus point for young buyers.

Measuring 4,540 millimeters (179 inches) long, 1,825 millimeters wide and 1,560 millimeters in height, the vehicle is bigger than Kia’s Seltos SUV, one of its major rivals in the market.

Thanks to the 2,700-millimeter wheelbase, 70-millimeter longer than that of Seltos, the vehicle offers spacious legroom.

But the Trax may be not the best choice for camping lovers. Its coupe-style roofline makes it a bit difficult to lie down even when the backseats are folded down.

Driving was unexpectedly soft yet powerful, despite it being powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine.

The interior of the Chevy Trax Crossover [GM KOREA]

The vehicle generates a maximum of 139 horsepower and 22.4 kilogram-meters of torque.

Fuel efficiency stood at 12.6 kilometers per liter during the test drive, in line with the company's claim of 12.7 kilometers per liter.

The Trax is the first Chevy vehicle that comes with an auto-hold system, which automatically controls the brakes, assisting drivers who frequently face stop-and-go traffic.

Ventilation features and wireless smartphone chargers are also some of the offerings available in Korea. These features are largely favored by Koreans.

Despite the various new add-ons, the Trax is offered at the lowest price tag in the world in Korea.

Its sticker price starts from 20.5 million won ($15,700), around 7 million won cheaper than in the U.S. market.

The trunk of the Trax Crossover [SARAH CHEA]

It’s 4 million won cheaper than the Kona SUV and 100,000 won cheaper than the Seltos.

Over 10,000 orders have been made in only four days since its debut, which is a record-breaking figure for the money-losing automaker.

GM Korea is betting big with the Trax, considering it as a savior to help it end its eight consecutive years of losses.

It reported 175.2 billion won of net loss in 2021, 296.81 billion won in 2020 and 320.20 billion won in 2019.

It sold 37,237 cars in the Korean market last year, down 31.4 percent on year. It only had 3.2 percent of the local auto market, the lowest performance ever.

Trax CUVs will be entirely manufactured at GM Korea's Changwon plant in South Gyeongsang. GM recently invested 900 billion won to build a new 3-story painting facility and upgrade its stamping and assembly facilities for the new vehicle.