From Alex on Autos.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax has become the go-to answer for the "is the affordable car really dead?" question — and this Active trim proves why, punching well above its sub-$30,000 price with black-accented styling, LED headlights, an 8-inch driver display, an 11-inch infotainment screen, and active noise cancellation that keeps cabin noise to just 63.5 dB at 50 mph. Power comes from a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder making 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque routed through a six-speed automatic (no CVT here) to the front wheels only, returning an observed 32 mpg on our test loop against a 30 mpg EPA combined rating. For 2026, Chevrolet kept the winning recipe intact — only color options and pricing see meaningful changes from 2025.

Here’s why we don’t talk about reliability much: https://youtu.be/WicesuUvTXo
And resale value? Same thing: https://youtu.be/635cX7A3E_Y

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0:00 Intro: The Budget Crossover Proposition
0:47 Exterior Design & Active Trim Details
3:22 Wheels, Tires & Ground Clearance
5:59 1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder & Powertrain
7:36 Front Seats & Back Seat Space
10:59 Cargo Area & Storage
13:58 Dashboard, Screens & Interior Tech
20:50 Driving Impressions, 0-60 & Braking
26:13 Fuel Economy & Active Noise Cancellation
29:03 Pricing, Competition & Final Verdict