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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda PilotNew vs Used Chevrolet Trax
We compare a brand-new Chevrolet Trax to a gently used model. Is it worth the extra money to buy a new one? Read on to find our verdict.Introduction
New vs Used Chevrolet Trax – carsforsale.com, chevrolet.com | Shop Chevrolet Trax on Carsforsale.com
The Chevrolet Trax first hit the crossover scene in 2015 as the smallest offering in the automaker’s SUV portfolio, below the Equinox that we compare here. There was never anything particularly wrong with the first-generation Trax, but it didn’t do much to stand out in a crowded field. In production until 2022, the original Trax was largely unchanged over this span aside from gaining more power for that final year.
After skipping the 2023 model year, an all-new second-generation Trax arrived in 2024. Shedding its previously anonymous styling for something decidedly more sporty, the latest Trax has a bigger footprint, more interior features, and a bargain basement price point.
However, Chevy has made some concessions to accomplish this, which begs the question – is it worth spending up for a new Trax? Or should you go the used route to save some cash? We’ll answer that question – around the latest 2025 Trax, which is unchanged aside from the addition of two new exterior paint colors versus a lightly used 2022 Trax – below.
Specs
For its final year of production in 2022, the first-gen Chevrolet Trax increased the output from its 1.4L turbocharged inline-4 to 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) came standard with a 6-speed automatic and the option for all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2022 FWD Trax was one of the few remaining vehicles that still came with rear drum brakes. Stepping up to AWD meant disc brakes all the way around.
For the 2025 Trax, a smaller and less powerful engine is mounted up front. This 1.2L boosted three-cylinder mill is good for just 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. Still lashed to a 6-speed automatic, the second-gen Trax is strictly FWD, no option for AWD here. Drum brakes have been discontinued in favor of standard discs at all four corners, but the MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear setup carry over from the first-gen Trax.
Neither Trax will win any drag races with the 2022 easing up to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds and the latest model just ahead of it at 8.8 seconds. Along with this slight improvement in getting up to speed, the smaller engine in the 2025 Trax is thriftier at the pumps with fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Those metrics come in at 24, 32, and 27 – respectively – for the 2022 FWD Trax.
Comfort and Interior
The second-generation Chevrolet Trax measures roughly 11” longer and 2” wider than the outgoing model along with an extra 5” between the wheels. This pays dividends for interior space, though it is somewhat reduced given the 4” decrease in height for the latest Trax. Nonetheless, the 2025 Trax has 39” of rear legroom versus 36” in the 2022 model, 7 more cubic feet of space behind the second row, and an extra 6 cubes of maximum cargo volume.
Materials aren’t vastly different between a new and used Chevy Trax with base models featuring cloth and upper-level trim lines blending in synthetic leather. Where the 2025 Trax steps ahead is in touches like heat for the front seats and steering being standard on 1RS models and above. The 2022 Trax does not offer a heated steering wheel and heated seats were an extra-cost option no matter the model.
The scales tip further into the 2025 Trax’s favor when it comes to infotainment. For 2022, every Trax came with a 7” central touchscreen and wired smartphone mirroring. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the 2025 Trax lineup with an 11” interface on the LT trim and above. Base models make do with an 8” unit.
Trims and Features
For 2022, the Chevy Trax came in just two trim lines, LS and LT. Base LS models featured 16” alloy wheels, satellite radio, a 6-speaker stereo, and a backup camera. In LT spec, remote engine start, LED taillamps, heated side mirrors, and cruise control were added. Optional features included 18” black wheels, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Chevy expanded the Trax lineup for 2025 into the LS, 1RS, LT, ACTIV, and 2RS. The LS comes with 17” steel wheels, LED headlights, a Wi-Fi hotspot, forward collision mitigation, and automatic high beams. 1RS models are spruced up with 18” alloys, gloss black trim, heated side mirrors, and heated front seats. For an extra $200, the LT variant adds signature LED daytime-running lights, automatic climate control, a digital gauge cluster, and the larger infotainment system.
ACTIV and 2RS models have identical price tags with the ACTIV aiming at perhaps the adventurey crowd with 18” black rims and the 2RS going a bit sportier with 19 inchers. Options include a sunroof, a wireless phone charging pad, and adaptive cruise control.
The Verdict
As most car-buying decisions are heavily dependent on budget, it’s important to know what you’ll be on the hook for when buying a new or used Chevrolet Trax. Looking over the listings on CarsForSale.com, a 2022 Trax LS with less than 50,000 miles generally ranges between $15,000 and $18,000. Stepping up to the LT model moves the needle slightly to between $16,000 and $19,000, roughly. There are plenty of FWD and AWD models to choose from with the occasional Midnight, Redline, and Sport package thrown in with 18” black wheels.
For 2025, the Trax starts at $21,495 (with destination) for an LS, $23,395 for the 1RS, and $23,595 for an LT. Both the ACTIV and 2RS models come in at $25,395 for unknown reasons. These are low prices relative to the overall new car market and there’s only a roughly $4,000 spread across the entire 2025 Trax lineup. Now, the new Trax does not offer AWD and it’s important to note that the NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall for crash safety versus 5 stars for the 2022 model.
Still, considering a base 2025 Chevy Trax is just a few thousand dollars more expensive than a used model is compelling. Factor in all the improvements – more space, better infotainment technology, increased standard content, and – arguably – far better looks – and the 2025 Chevrolet Trax is an easy pick for the winner of this comparison. Be sure to check out the latest new car incentives before making any final decisions.
