DecodedCars2018 Chevrolet Trax
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 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
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 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 11 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 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), 12% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Trax — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 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 | +12% | $2,400 | 313 |
| Trax AWD | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 27 | +16% | $2,500 | 335 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 19.8% |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.9% |
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Hyundai Tucson | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Kia Sportage | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Jeep Compass | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Hyundai Kona | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Jeep Renegade | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (2)
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.
Not every 2018 Chevrolet Trax is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Chevrolet Trax buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 34 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Engine — 30 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 18 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,001 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 2018 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 |
| 2017 Trax | 28 | 167.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 114 |
| 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 →