DecodedCars2017 Chevrolet Trax
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- AWD 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 25 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 167.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,047–3,254 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2017 small SUV (24.3 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 167 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,254 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 33 highway), 15% better than the 2017 small SUV average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2017
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Trax — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Trax →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD 4dr SUV | 167.3 in | 70.1 in | 65.7 in | 100.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,254 lb | 60/40 |
| FWD 4dr SUV | 167.3 in | 70.1 in | 65.7 in | 100.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,047 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trax | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +15% | $2,400 | 313 |
| Trax AWD | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 27 | +18% | $2,500 | 334 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 19.8% |
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.9% |
Similar 2017 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Hyundai Tucson | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Kia Sportage | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Jeep Compass | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2017 Jeep Renegade | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Sep 12, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V652000 · 93,722 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Apr 18, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V312000 · 112,958 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 8, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Not every 2017 Chevrolet Trax is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Chevrolet Trax buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 44 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 19 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Trax. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Trax years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Trax | 30 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 18 |
| 2025 Trax | 30 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 98 |
| 2024 Trax | 30 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 180 |
| 2022 Trax | 27 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 9 |
| 2021 Trax | 28 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 25 |
| 2020 Trax | 28 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 98 |
| 2019 Trax | 28 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 136 |
| 2018 Trax | 28 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 102 |
| 2016 Trax | 29 | 167.7 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 120 |
| 2015 Trax | 29 | 167.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 96 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →