This Gentleman who is a Master Mechanic has to be applauded. No matter who the manufacturer is, he will always state the facts just the way they are and he does that in such a way that you can easily understand and make an informed decision. He is a one man army.
So true.. other online car reviewers (and I watch a ton of them) just talk about how great the cars run when they are new. They don't look into how reliable or well-constructed they are.
I love this guy. He seems nice, he is knowledgeable, he isn't beholden to any manufacturer, he's honest, there's no bravado, just information. Keep up the amazing work.
Greetings from Mexico! This review just nails it, in regards to the engine here in Mexico those wet belt engines are a total nightmare and a dealbreaker, over here Peugeot, Renault, Chrysler and now Chevrolet are using wet belts and those are know to have catastrophic failures, even though they claim the belts are specially designed they are not, they start deteriorating and releasing rubber material along with aramid fibers, this mixture ends up clogging the oil pick-up causing oil starvation and catastrophic engine failure, some other times the teeth on the belt separates not only progresively clogging the pick-up but also causing the timing belt to skip timing and the cherry on top is when maintained YOU HAVE TO USE OEM BELTS otherwise it's well know that if the mechanic slaps any belt, even from reputable brands they don't seem to have been properly treated to be wet belts and degrades over a few thousands of miles causing everything I mentioned above, in fact Stellantis is facing a class action lawsuit over here due to their "Puretech" wet belt engine.
Don't you think the system is a gravy train gift to dealerships? I worked at a dealer back in mid-2000's and the timing belts were favorite job of the mechanics. No other job brought as much easy gravy to the shop. Also, it strikes me engineers with little world experience or pure cynicism would design this way.
id take a noisy timing chain engine over a quiet wet belt engine any day. Its like they took the worst of a timing chain (serviceability if there ever is a problem) and the worst thing about a dry belt (replacement intervals) and created this nightmare. This is a decent spec'd engine but then its hobbled by that wet belt nonsense. You came so close Chevy, so close.
Your videos are a godsend for potential car buyers!!! We do not deserve you and your work. There are very few genuinely good people who would go out of their way to provide quality educational info for the masses for FREE.99.
This may help some people. My wife just bought one. She had a 2020 Honda Civic Sport. The Honda was a great car, no issues whatsoever. Now the Honda was quicker obviously, but the Trax ain't bad. It does a very noticeable turbo lag. A better ride than the Honda and very good visibilty. The surprising thing about the Trax is, it has a very nice interior. Comfortable seats and she bought the active, so it has all the tech goodies. I do believe it will be a very good car in the snow, it sits high. Steering is precise, but you ain't gonna hit no corners at high speed 🙂. It is really a nice car for its price. You are actually not over paying for what you get. If it turns out reliable then it will be a good buy.
You should be ok if you change cars every 4 years but the Honda will go 20+ years if maintained whereas the Chevy will have serious problems well before half that time.
@@m1kcan1 It depends. My Saturn SL1 ran for 250,000 and the only reason I parked it is because I couldn't get it through inspection for a nusiance check engine light. My brother in-law ran his Impala for 303,000 miles before the tranny went. I agree with the longevity of Honda though. I questioned my wife repeatedly, lol, as to why she wanted to change. But so far the Trax seems to be a well built small suv.
It doesn't seem well built after ahmed did a thorough review. Seems to have so many plastic parts in the cooling system and a oil driven timing belt. Doesn't seem like a good idea for longevity.
Honda down to a Trax, thats a definite downgrade my Civic will see 300,000 before the end of the year, only normal maintenance/upkeep, That trax will never make it 300,000
I’d gladly enjoy the trade off of a slightly noisy engine with a trusty long-lasting timing chain for a quiet engine with a timing belt. And that goes double for an engine with two! timing belts.
That goes triple for a wet oil timing belt internal to the engine that requires specialty tools to replace at 100k miles, if the car ever makes to that…
Yeah. I think the complicated dual timing belt system is the biggest "Achilles heel" to me ever wanting one of these. I drive a Chevy Spark (which this Trax is theoretically the successor of, along with many other models in Chevy's previous lineup.) and it has a timing chain. After 130k it's had no issues with timing.
I absolutely love timing belts, as long as there is only one, and it is easy to get to and replace. My 1972 Ford Pinto wagon, which I have been driving for almost 35 years, has a 2.0L SOHC inline four cylinder engine with a single, super easy to replace timing belt. It takes about half an hour to replace the belt. You don't have to disassemble the engine to replace it like you do with an internal chain. The maximum life of any chain is around 100,000 miles. Having to tear the engine apart to replace a chain every 100,000 miles or less is ridiculous. But then of course most modern engines would probably not reach 100,000 miles anyway. Definitely not this one.
@@robwatts4623 I have been building old school (non LS) small block Chevy engines for decades, for everything from daily drivers to drag race engines. On a well built daily driver engine, a timing chain will start to wear to the point where it affects both ignition and valve timing around 80,000 miles. That's using steel cam sprockets. Once it reaches that point, it starts to wear much faster. But. It is a simple setup. One large, heavy and very short chain, and two sprockets. No multiple chains, tensioners, or guides. It takes about an hour to replace one. I consider replacing the timing chain on one of these engines every 75,000 miles or so to be routine maintenance. But the fact is, NO chain is going to have a really long life. Chains are a wear part, like clutches, brakes, tires, etc. They should not be used in a place where they are hard to get to for replacement. A good engine should outlast several chains. If you use either a chain or a belt that requires major disassembly of the engine to replace, then you basically have a disposable engine.
of ALL the Chevy Trax reviews out there (and there are a LOT) yours is the most useful. We will see how many miles I get out of mine with proper care and maintenance.
"Some of the options are optional" LOVE IT!!!! Shows that this was not really scripted and that's why he's got such a great following. He tells it like it is. I truly appreciate reviews that go into the dirty details like the engine compartment and underneath. Thank you for all you do!!
I have a brand new 2024 Activ. Bought it with an extended warranty. We usually drive our second car until the warranty is done and trade so no worries on maintenance lol. This small SUV fits perfectly into our life, is great on gas, has low payment, and has really nice features.
Nice! I have the Activ as well, definitely alot of car for the money, and smooth ride with feature most expensive cars don't have. I'm in love with mines just put 2K miles on it.
@@G-Rated It shows that the manufacturer is willing to cut corners and use a less reliable system for a marginal fuel efficiency gain and cost savings. In a perfect test-stand world I'm sure the materials they used for these belts are suited for decent service intervals. However I have seen real world issues with similar Ford engines having severe degradation of timing and oil pump belts as low as 50,000 miles. In a general sense timing chains have a better track (trax?) record for reliability when dealing with varied driving conditions. This is mostly based upon my observations from working a dealership and also my opinion so please don't take what I say as fact.
Small 3 cyl turbo charged engine; strike one. GDI only; strike two, Wet belts; strike three. If GM had put a naturally aspirated 1.8 or 2.0 liter 4 cyl engine in it with MPI instead of GDI this would be an attractive vehicle.
Well that depends on the vehicle. He has completely avoided talking about the catastrophic engine failures in the 2022+ Tundra for quite a while now, but as soon as Toyota finally begins to warranty those junk engines, he will heap praise on the company that has done everything it can to try to weasel out of replacing those engines under warranty by trying to accuse owners of being at fault for the failure.
I’m not even half-way through the video and I’ve already lost track of how many times Amd has said “that’s ok”.. and we know it most certainly is NOT ok! 😂
I live in the UK and most of the models featured here are not applicable. However, it is always a pleasure to watch this man. His reviews are excellent.
I bought this same vehicle w/o the sunroof for only 25K, it's been great. I use it as a daily driver and it rides smooth and quiet with a peppy motor. I have had no issues and all the electronics work perfectly with no glitches like I have experienced with more expensive brands. He failed to mentiom some features such as heated steering wheel and 18 in wheels with continental tires. Also it's nice to see the amps and water temp gauges which many cars don't show you. All the buttons are where they should be for real easy use which is great, no searching and trying to figure out things. I took many trips with this vehicle and had no back pain and was completely comfortable cruising at 70mph and it still wanted to go faster. I got 42mpg on one trip without using ac which is fantastic. The vehicle has a HD back up camera that's better than other more expensive vehicles that I have owned and the display and graphics are sharp with no sun glare. I enjoy driving it more than my other cars, it's very practical and looks great. As far as longevity goes I'm not worried because I normally don't keep my cars more than 3 yrs. but i believe if you change the oil properly at the dealer you wont' have any worries. I have no regrets buying this Chevy and for only 25K how can I complain.
Just purchased mine, and I'm happy with this purchase. I've had all types of makes and brands. All have been good to me because I have also been good to them. If you take care of your vehicles and don't abuse them, longevity is never a problem. And just to add, I've kept all a very long time.
Yea both of you commenting should’ve went with Mazda lol , has all those features plus more for the same price and more room , it’s a Chevy we all know how it ends and that’s with unexpected repairs that are outside of warranty 😂
I personally like the reverse lights coming on when you get out of the car. Helps illuminate the path for my feral children who trip very easily. Plus when people see a car "reversing" they tend to slow down around it. Safety.
I normally don't care about car reviews when I'm not in the market for a vehicle, and especially when it's not a vehicle I'd normally consider. I was glued to this one. Beautiful job!
Finally, someone agrees with me and the misuse of backup lights. And the obnoxious, wake up the neighborhood, horn verification. Put a resistor circuit or additional small horn for that.
I'm so glad you did a review on the new Trax. As someone who has a 2023 V6 Blazer and considered this 2024 Trax before I bought my Blazer I follow the Trax closely to see how they do. I think for the price you're spot on, easily one of the best looking vehicle in the segment inside and out and the build quality with a regular transmission is welcome. I don't see why you wouldn't easily get 150k-200k miles without many issues honestly. Considering the timing belt is supposed to be changed at 150k according to the manual. GM is selling a TON of these so it'll be interesting to see how long they last with so many out there and how many high milage Trax's we get in the coming years. Great car for the price without question considering almost every other vehicle at this price is more expensive and has a CVT in it!
Tbh. The 1.2 puretech 3 cylinder engine which the french did is also designed to run with an internal timing belt that is oiled. And it doesn't matter if its designed to do so, because it still fails before hitting 38k miles.
@@21Piloteer Yep, peugeot. Like the 1.6 prince engine... In short current peugeot gas engines should be avoided. Sadly the diesels are getting worse too (you cannot get the really good 2.0 hdi any more).
Take this with a grain of salt, but the GM LIH engine we see here in the trax is actually based off of the PSA Puretech you speak of here, something GM got from PSA as part of the Opel deal. Really not a good sign. The LIH engine in the trax will be replaced for 2025 by a flex fuel LPB engine. Not sure if it'll be any different an engine besides being flex fuel though
It seems like a good car for the first owner, buying it new. It does not seem like a reliable car for whoever becomes the second or third owner. I prefer the rock solid Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Highlander since I buy cars used and not new. Thanks for probably the best review ever done on the all new 2024 Chevy Trax.
The volume control and track selection for the infotainment screen are mounted behind the steering wheel within finger reach while driving, so no need to reach the knob unless you're hitting the power button. The hangup button on the wheel alsos acts as a mute button when not in a phone call.
@tonyc7435 I really can't understand why. Same with the Konas which seem to be really popular around where i live. If it's the pricing why not just get a 3-5 year old Toyota or Mazda SUV with relatively low mileage or something? The cost is about the same as this piece of junk is brand new and even though the vehicle is older it'll last longer and be less expensive and troublesome to repair in the long run, probably more spacious and powerful in some cases too depending on the model.
@@hollowgonzalo4329that’s what I’ve been saying , instead of buying this low quality piece of junk just get a used Mazda , has all those plus awd , more space and true 6 speed I laugh at the people who buy this and wonder why it’s having issues 😂
@@hollowgonzalo4329 Most of the people getting these new are leasing. They like to lease a cheap new car with low lease payments for 3-4 years and then get rid of it to move on to the next lease.
@@hollowgonzalo4329 , how do you know it is a piece of junk? It just hit the dealer floors. Are you a seer or just regurgitating what other clairvoyant geniuses spew in comment sections?
I bought the "new" Trax for my wife in November. We love it. What an amazing video by this man. I think he is great ! ! ! I'm going to forward the video to my mechanic.
If this vehicle had a conventional N/A engine with a timing chain, i would have definitely considered it. Everything looks great here, but i would never risk it with a spotty power train.
I have to say if they changed that wet belt to a regular timing chain I would be a buyer for that price. The maintenance with that belt would be my only hesitation. The car looks good for the money.
I think this a great cheap lease car. If you just need a second car to drop off kids to daycare and just go grocery shoppinh then this car will just do fine. I was actually impressed when i first looked at it on the street. Didnt look cheap at all. That price point is crazy at current market.
The problem is that the engine is crap. Yes, it is refined but with GDI, Turbo, and wet belt it won't last for the long haul. No wonder you would recommend it for a lease. On the other hand, I don't want to have to swap cars every 3 years. Also, I buy used cars so this one is a waste of my time.
I'm 71YO, and was a loyal ford owner for the last 47 years. I still have my toy(a 2013 mustang GT 5.0), but because of the 1.5L coolant intrusion issue, I got rid of my 2019 ford escape. Too bad, because I really liked the car other than that issue that had already started. So I went to Chevy, they were great to talk to. I test drove a Trax, and looked at what they had coming in. I chose a 2rs in black. And the 6 speed auto TRANNY over the CVT is what really changed my mind. I've had it since June 16th, it has 13,000 miles on it, and I love it so far.
Yea you messed up lol , the 6 speed was trash back in the day already , now you have to worry about that small engine lol Should’ve just went Mazda , could’ve gotten 6 speed , awd and 4 cylinder that will last ages longer lol
I think it’s wonderful that the transmission is a clutch type six speed rather than a cheap CVT. Anytime you see a timing belt motor it is because that is the cheapest way to manufacture it. Maintenance costs are shifted to the owner in the future which could be in the thousands of dollars especially with this vehicle. Small GM Duramax diesels manufactured in Taiwan also use a belt driven oil pump submerged in oil. Ford is using the same design with some of their eco-boost motors. You have to look at obviously how many miles the engine has on it before you change the belt, but it is also time sensitive. Even a vehicle with relatively low miles, after 10 years, I can only imagine what the rubber would look like on the belt after being immersed in oil that long. With this particular vehicle when it’s time for the timing belt to be changed, it could be a game changer on whether to just junk the car or not because of the cost.
CVT's cost about 3 times as much as torque converter type auto and you said clutch type. You have things all scrambled up. This is a torque converter type.
@@jamesmedina2062Where did you get that information about CVT cost? CVTs are cheaper and much simpler to manufacture than a traditional automatic. It’s why they’ve overtaken every economy car. Cheaper and gets better mpgs
@@dawsongranger4940 Yeah I do not have a citation and I am sure the costs vary but I drive manual and was told CVT's are more expensive than them. Because CVT is newer and requires great precision I was told they cost more. Again perhaps the comparison is only valid manual vs CVT
@@jamesmedina2062 What you were told is just objectively wrong. And new manuals are about as expensive as traditional automatics to make now because of RND for a dead transmission nobody will buy anyways. CVTs are significantly simpler and require a lot less parts and materials to make compared to autos. They also have torque converters. And have been around for almost as long as autos. The first cvt car was 1958 and were becoming main stream in the 80s.
Great review! This guy knows his stuff and knows everything he is looking at. “Cheap but it’s okay” is a good summary for this car. If the engine doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare in 10 years then it will likely make a lot of drivers happy
Love the review, quite refreshing to get the take of someone who hasn't just given us stats and figures, but impressions of having spent real time in the vehicle and offers insight from the perspective of some of someone who actually works on vehicles. Sure, it's a economy car, it's a GM, and it's a new model which is yet unproven, it doesn't mean that GM may have still improved some of the things they may have traditionally fallen short on. I currently drive a '23 Ford and while I like many things about it, I am somewhat disappointed in the fact that the transmission randomly makes a hooting noise in first gear; it's developed a random clunk in the front suspension which always seems to occur when I arrive home and stop to back into my driveway; and the audio system, aside from sounding too much like a 70's transistor radio, has glitched more times than the UConnect systems in previously owned Jeep/Ram vehicles the entire seven plus years I've owned them. Now, knowing some of the issues Ford has had with 1.5L/2.0L block designs and issues with the eight-speed automatic, would I be willing to gamble on a new Trax? Yes, yes I would.
I have a base model 2024 LS with 85,000 miles on it. Not a single hiccup. Best car I’ve ever purchased for under $22,000. In my opinion, I’ve already gotten my moneys worth.
Can help you there, the C-Max Hybrid I've driven for over 11 years (bought new) has been great, 44 to 57 mpg around town, and 42 to 46 on the interstate running the speed limit .... you can't drive it 10 mph over the limit an expect great gas results. Maintenance ... every 6,000 miles for me, I average about 2,400 EV miles per 6,000 miles. The drive train is great, quiet an efficient. I currently have over 81,000 on the car. Had all the hoses, 12 volt battery, brakes, etc and other things done about two years ago ... spent just over $1,800 for that. Good for three more years. It's been great, three others (one is a business vehicle with over 150,000K on it) and all three remark the above. Hope this helps. I too am looking at the Maverick in the XL trim. Why? I can't justify the money for the XLT & Lariet trims. Go to "Ineedahubcap.com" and you can buy used alloy Maverick Wheels or other correct size/bolt hole Ford wheels, or as I plan to do get a set of stainless trim rings for the wheels, they look great, several photos out there to see what they look like. Again, hope this helps.
@@W0RLDSSMALLESTVI0LIN the Ford Duratec and Ecoboost 4 cyl motors are all based on Mazda designs from back when Ford owned a large stake in Mazda to save them from bankruptcy
I’ve had my 24 Trax LT for almost a year…12k miles…. So far it’s been nearly perfect…. And my dealer offers a free lifetime pertain warranty as long as you are changing oil every 5k with synthetic…. I totally agree with the annoyingly loud horn triple beep when you get out of keys are still in it! Only problem, I have one rear window that is going to get service…. The sweet spot is the LT trim at $23k it gives you the giant infotainment screen…. (The LS & RS1 have a small center screen)& I’m pleased with the overall design but could have designed the tail lights better…. And FYI, the volume knob placement is no concern…because it has controls on the back side of the steering wheel that are perfect…. I also own a c8 stingray convertible…. And I hate the feel and placement of the volume on it…. But that’s about my only complaint…..
GM should have just stick a good old 2.0 4 cylinder (or a 1.8), no gdi, no turbo and a timing chain...the car looks good but i'm scared of the engine! Good thing about the 6 speed autobox!
My experience with this transmission is not a favorable one. Hard down shifts 5-4 3-2 2-1. And hard up shifts from 4-5. At least once a week I have a down shift so hard I have thought that I was rear ended.
@@lynneven5130 Good info! The last 6 speed transmission i drove was a kia and it was surprisingly smooth, i'm used to the 3 or 4 speed from the 90`s...that's why i drove a manual!
Enjoyed your review and quick mechanics evaluation of the Trax. I'm a 74 year old and had my first accident in a Corvair when the right rear wheel and axel came off the vehicle during a left turn. I drove and worked on my grandfather's '65 chevelle and am also familiar with the Vega (and its inherent problems). As an old-timer I can't help but be Leary of the Trax only having three cylinders...especially on a vehicle that may be used off road where it can get wet or muddy. I've never been one to put much faith in turbos because from my experience they don't last, and I keep my vehicles usually a minimum of 20 years on average. Good review with great insights, thank you!
Great video! I was waiting for a solid reputable opinion on one of these! The key fob in the car thing: my neighbor has a 18 Traverse and it honks like 6 times 😂 The back up light thing: GM has been doing that starting 97 and most owners like the feature. You can always turn it off if you don't. Personally I override the light delay if I'm in a parking lot, but in the dark out here in the rural areas I'm thankful the car has them!
Trax - on the road - very nice to look at (from the back) - very good stance, wonderful ground clearance. No AWD was a great choice to lower immediate and long terms costs and thus boost owner satisfaction, and you get better mpg most likely. I think you see that in the very proven and reliable 6 speed they went with over CVT (which you know the bean counters were stomping their feet on). People often misunderstand - I'm in snow most of winter - I will take ground clearance to save "oh get me out of this" over more tires spinning almost always.
@@cormaro13 If you watched the video it was noted that the cost and value of what you get for your buck is very good; it you have the money there are lot of other options Mazda - go for it, why even comment - Lexus is better than Mazda na na.
@@cormaro13 Crown is another conversation - depends on the model, but I liked it, and the SUV version is expected to be outstanding. I would suggest at 3 times the price - you are not comparing apples to apples.
@@cormaro13professional hater and Mazda stan. Mazda isn’t as good as you think and not everybody wants to deal with a Mazda. Small interior for the size and poor mpgs despite having a very efficient engine. The 3 is roomy but a lot of the others feel cramped
This is my first time seeing the mechanic. He is very thorough on this review. Purchased my 2024 Chevy Trax LS (Sterling Gray) on February 14, 2024. Love it. No problems. Big upgrade from my 2012 4 door Toyota Yaris. He's correct. Priced just right. And it is just what you need. It's not a race car, but it's good enough for everyday around town driving. My only complaint is the "easy access door" for the gas nozzle. But i guess that's the "new era" we live in, and i got to get used yo to it. Other than that, i would recommend the all new Chevy Trax (in any trim) "for everyone!" We all thank you for this great review on a 1st year, brand new vehicle. Take care. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
About 7 years ago my friend bough a 2010 Yaris sedan with 110,000 miles. It now has over 146,000 miles. The car is bullet proof. Except for the AC not working the Yaris runs well & is comfortable. What a great reliable vehicle!
I've read concerns about a 3 cylinder engine with a wet belt. The Trax 2024 manual says the belt won't need replacing until 150k miles, but posters say they doubt the 3 cylinder engine will even last that long, with the work it has to do to move the vehicle. My commute to work is only 2 days a week, currently, so I will probably only be putting 8k miles at most per year on the one I'm getting. Update: To keep the wet rubber timing belt in good shape, I'll take the advice of one post I saw and get an oil change at 1000, 3000, and then every 5000, and keep the oil topped off, checking it every week for color. And I'll get the belt inspected at around 40k miles.
@@kilroy987 drive it responsibly and keep up the maintenance and it will probably last 10 years. The problem with these cars will be young first time buyers who try and drive it like a Corvette. I think it will excel as a commuter vehicle. Keep the oil changed every 5k, service the transmission fluid at 60k and you should be ok. Even Toyota and Honda have had issues in the past
Thank you for your thorough and detailed mechanical reviews. Your channel has become one of my first go-to channels for reviews! Few, if any, are as detailed and honest about the mechanical bits. I am planning to upgrade my current vehicle next year, and, since I prefer to stay under $30K if possible, the new Trax was on my list. So, I was glad to find your review of it.
I had a 2024 Trax Activ(top trim level) for 8 months and actually did like it, sold it for a CX30 Turbo because the Trax just didn't have enough get up and go for me.
I have leased a C300, Mini Cooper, Corolla, Sentra, and this. This is probably my favorite one out of all of them, especially for the price. You get A LOT for what it is. I have the base model. Sure I miss power trunk and start/stop button, but I adapted just fine. I would give this a 9.3 out of 10
This confirms exactly what I told my cousin when he was looking to buy one. I said you’ll get 10 years and 150,000 miles out of it after that throw it away.
Okay, but arguably there will be so many that repairs and spares will be cheap for those that want to keep it longer. That being said, I prefer a cheap affordable nice car like this than the ecoboxes that only lasted 100,000 miles in the past. I mean, when was the last time you saw a dodge caliber on the road?
With the wet timing belt, 5 years and 75,000 would be a good point to get rid of it. Someone here mentioned that the oil bath on the rubber makes it deteriorate even with low mileage, the clock is ticking. Also conventional timing belts were always something people dreaded due to the cost, imagine 4x the cost on this thing. This car will get a bad reputation quickly, resale value will be a joke at 5 years old.
Thank you for the excellent technical review on this vehicle. Coincidentally earlier today I heard Jerry (The Car Pro) speaking highly of this vehicle with a caller. Overall looks like Chevy has a winner here at a rather modest price. Good lease candidate.
Great review I bought The 1RS Nitro yellow color from Hornbeck Chevrolet in Northeast Pa. Just under 4,000 miles I love it, many compliments from everyone who sees and rides in it. Well done Chevy👏👏👏 Thanks for the great review.🙏
It's coming from having a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with a soft, wet timing belt that is inside the engine and will be an expensive repair every 100K miles (150K according to the manual but that's very risky). People that buy inexpensive vehicles like to do their own maintenance to save money, but this looks like a headache to do in your garage or driveway.
GREAT! This is the review Ive been waiting for so long. I have this vehicle since August 2023 and Im in love with it. Thank U for the analysis. Pretty good!!!!
I got mine a few months ago. It’s way better than the jeep renegade I had. What hell I had with that. No it’s not 4x4 but I had to get rid of that trash.
Yes!! The backing up white lights always gets me, it always makes me think someone is trying to back up when they just parked the car, and you are right is a GM thing.
Thanks for your opinion of the Chevy Trax. I'm sold I'll buy one in a heartbeat. One thing you missed. It does come with power seats and it does have the radio controls on the rear of the steering wheel. But o test drove one and i luv it
Very refreshing seeing this and I hope GM sees this and take notes. I really like the Trax and the price excellent, it wouod be great if they could improve the small stuff.
Just test drove one. Ended up getting one, was hesitant about the small engine but it's sporty and does pretty well, its like a mini blazer, for the price you can't go wrong bumper to bumper 7/70,000 and put about 7k down and payments are 350 so how can you beat that with a new car? Plan on keeping it until the warranty expires and go from there. Love your informative videos keep up the great work you do
Everybody forgets to tell about the hill assist that it has. I just bought one of these and it has hill assist. It also has heated steering wheel lane assist. This is a nice vehicle. Also heated mirrors.
Researching these Traxes and I really appreciate this video and your candor. Thank you for the underbody looks and the mentioning of the concerns as well as the likes. It really seems like this was a level up job compared to past offerings, even if some things aren't ideal.
I considered the Trax for my recent purchase. I found everything to like just as described in this review. I did not purchase it however due to its low gas mileage (even with a 1.2 liter turbocharged engine), the big question as to reliability, and what I felt was an unrefined throttle response during the test drive. It seemed that making minor changes in acceleration was not possible.
I have been a auto technician for 30+ years. And in my opinion, to answer his question " should you buy a 2024 Trax" the answer is no. But should you lease a 2024 Trax, the answer is yes.
I’m not selling my 4runner for this, but for 23k it seems like a great car. Much better than a 70k Tundra where the engine fails after a few thousand miles.
This is gold. Thank you for your detail analysis. Please make more videos like this. I was going to buy the Trax, but now that I know it has a timing "Belt" - Im out.
Thanks for this review. Best one out there. We'll be buying a Buick Envista in the fall as a third car for the family. Same vehicle underneath. When I drove it I was impressed. Also like that it doesn't have a CVT.
There's a more popular engine code: POS. Lower engine shield is to protect the belts and pulleys area from getting wet and debris. I already knew the answer to your title question, but I watched anyway :)
@@cormaro13 Mazda has the WORST infotainment system in the auto industry with that outdated rotary knob/dial nonsense, fully functional touchscreen is the way to go. The Trax is the better purchase..........
@@crow_2k11beatsbydre8 it’s you again finally lol , well like I said in previous post , idk how hard it is to move a knob to the right for car play , everything else it’s just a few spins lol They did update it in 2023 or 24 on the premium plus models they get wireless CarPlay with touchscreen while in CarPlay I’ll still chose a Mazda over a piece of junk trax 😂 , at least I know my stuff going to last and not need warranty repair or repairs on low quality parts , he’s said it’s ok , which means go with a different brand lol Don’t worry Chevy shows its true colors in no time lol
I bought one of these for my wife. We only put about 8K per year on our vehicles. By the time we pay it off in 6 years, we will trade it in at around 50K miles for another affordable SUV. The factory warranty covers us for the most part, and we have a lifetime power train warranty as long as we do the service at the dealership($18 per month). So, for us, we are covered at a price point of $25K for the fully loaded Activ. We'll trade it before we have any major issues like the timing belt....which are covered by the warranties we have anyway. So far, my wife loves the car. It is not perfect by any means and not my flavor of vehicle. But it's a safe and affordable small SUV for the money.
As a Toyota fan, I have to admit I have been highly interested in the new Trax. I like the styling, the size, back seat room, features for the price. I also like the no CVT. I keep my cars for 5 - 10 years so that would be my concern. What’s the reliability going to be long-term?
Very cool vid. I trust GM products way more than the others. I dont own one but my first was a classic 1975 Nova SS. The product is honest and like the gent said...take care of your invfestment and it will take care of you.
I've been watching you for years and I think this is one of your best reviews ever. I reckon it's because I've never seen you review a Chevy. I used to own a 68 Camaro and a 72 Chevelle and I loved those cars. I ran them hard and their simple design made them easy to maintain. But whenever I rent or drive a Chevy nowadays I wonder... is this thing gonna last? The one thing I'm impressed with is how some Chevy/GMC trucks and other cars handle very well. I worry about reliability though which is especially important as car prices soar. Thanks for your insights!
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This Gentleman who is a Master Mechanic has to be applauded. No matter who the manufacturer is, he will always state the facts just the way they are and he does that in such a way that you can easily understand and make an informed decision. He is a one man army.
I agree I always appreciate his opinion and that he's very unbiased but still points out issues with vehicles from a mechanical perspective
@@midnitestate Indeed Yes.
So true.. other online car reviewers (and I watch a ton of them) just talk about how great the cars run when they are new. They don't look into how reliable or well-constructed they are.
@@izraelite2908 In full agreement.
I will never buy a car without listening to his fact opinions
I love this guy. He seems nice, he is knowledgeable, he isn't beholden to any manufacturer, he's honest, there's no bravado, just information.
Keep up the amazing work.
Regarding the timing belt:
Owner's manual, page 288:
Every 150,000 miles: Replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and oil pump.
Thanks, I was wondering. That's actually a long time!
Can't wait to see a video of the tb change for this engine
Next thing that will happen after you buy this garbage-someone will declare it “ Unsafe at any speed “
3 cyl turbo, probably wouldn't make it to 150,000
@@timblanchard7126 I was thinking the same thing. This engine won’t have an easy day of work in its life.
lol he’s so polite!
“and that’s okay” translates to “and that’s not good”
lol
It’s like when your mom is disappointed in you and guilt trips you about it. 🤣
not the end of the world
OK means OK.
Ok means not great, just ok.
Greetings from Mexico! This review just nails it, in regards to the engine here in Mexico those wet belt engines are a total nightmare and a dealbreaker, over here Peugeot, Renault, Chrysler and now Chevrolet are using wet belts and those are know to have catastrophic failures, even though they claim the belts are specially designed they are not, they start deteriorating and releasing rubber material along with aramid fibers, this mixture ends up clogging the oil pick-up causing oil starvation and catastrophic engine failure, some other times the teeth on the belt separates not only progresively clogging the pick-up but also causing the timing belt to skip timing and the cherry on top is when maintained YOU HAVE TO USE OEM BELTS otherwise it's well know that if the mechanic slaps any belt, even from reputable brands they don't seem to have been properly treated to be wet belts and degrades over a few thousands of miles causing everything I mentioned above, in fact Stellantis is facing a class action lawsuit over here due to their "Puretech" wet belt engine.
🎯👍
Damn. Thank for the heads up.
Don't you think the system is a gravy train gift to dealerships? I worked at a dealer back in mid-2000's and the timing belts were favorite job of the mechanics. No other job brought as much easy gravy to the shop. Also, it strikes me engineers with little world experience or pure cynicism would design this way.
id take a noisy timing chain engine over a quiet wet belt engine any day. Its like they took the worst of a timing chain (serviceability if there ever is a problem) and the worst thing about a dry belt (replacement intervals) and created this nightmare. This is a decent spec'd engine but then its hobbled by that wet belt nonsense. You came so close Chevy, so close.
@@yal100 Could very well be on purpose. car is cheap. planned obsolescence.
When he says "that's okay, not a problem", what he really means is 'that's a problem'. Love this guy.
Your videos are a godsend for potential car buyers!!! We do not deserve you and your work. There are very few genuinely good people who would go out of their way to provide quality educational info for the masses for FREE.99.
Now I need this good man to inspect my Boeing
Is it purchased, or on the line still?
“There’s a few bolts missing … but that’s okay.”
But then we will never see him again 😢
Yes….no no no. We want him to stay alive and happy long life
He will inspect it and be missing the next day.
These types of reviews/videos are the best part of your channel- Thank You
👍🏻 agreed
also agreed
This may help some people. My wife just bought one. She had a 2020 Honda Civic Sport. The Honda was a great car, no issues whatsoever. Now the Honda was quicker obviously, but the Trax ain't bad. It does a very noticeable turbo lag. A better ride than the Honda and very good visibilty. The surprising thing about the Trax is, it has a very nice interior. Comfortable seats and she bought the active, so it has all the tech goodies. I do believe it will be a very good car in the snow, it sits high. Steering is precise, but you ain't gonna hit no corners at high speed 🙂. It is really a nice car for its price. You are actually not over paying for what you get. If it turns out reliable then it will be a good buy.
You should be ok if you change cars every 4 years but the Honda will go 20+ years if maintained whereas the Chevy will have serious problems well before half that time.
@@m1kcan1 It depends. My Saturn SL1 ran for 250,000 and the only reason I parked it is because I couldn't get it through inspection for a nusiance check engine light. My brother in-law ran his Impala for 303,000 miles before the tranny went. I agree with the longevity of Honda though. I questioned my wife repeatedly, lol, as to why she wanted to change. But so far the Trax seems to be a well built small suv.
It doesn't seem well built after ahmed did a thorough review. Seems to have so many plastic parts in the cooling system and a oil driven timing belt. Doesn't seem like a good idea for longevity.
Honda down to a Trax, thats a definite downgrade my Civic will see 300,000 before the end of the year, only normal maintenance/upkeep, That trax will never make it 300,000
My friend hit the curb by accident and it's costing her A-LOT to get it fixed
I’d gladly enjoy the trade off of a slightly noisy engine with a trusty long-lasting timing chain for a quiet engine with a timing belt. And that goes double for an engine with two! timing belts.
That goes triple for a wet oil timing belt internal to the engine that requires specialty tools to replace at 100k miles, if the car ever makes to that…
Yeah. I think the complicated dual timing belt system is the biggest "Achilles heel" to me ever wanting one of these. I drive a Chevy Spark (which this Trax is theoretically the successor of, along with many other models in Chevy's previous lineup.) and it has a timing chain. After 130k it's had no issues with timing.
I absolutely love timing belts, as long as there is only one, and it is easy to get to and replace. My 1972 Ford Pinto wagon, which I have been driving for almost 35 years, has a 2.0L SOHC inline four cylinder engine with a single, super easy to replace timing belt. It takes about half an hour to replace the belt. You don't have to disassemble the engine to replace it like you do with an internal chain. The maximum life of any chain is around 100,000 miles. Having to tear the engine apart to replace a chain every 100,000 miles or less is ridiculous. But then of course most modern engines would probably not reach 100,000 miles anyway. Definitely not this one.
Gm timing chains generally don't last as long a a timing belt! Junk..
@@robwatts4623 I have been building old school (non LS) small block Chevy engines for decades, for everything from daily drivers to drag race engines. On a well built daily driver engine, a timing chain will start to wear to the point where it affects both ignition and valve timing around 80,000 miles. That's using steel cam sprockets. Once it reaches that point, it starts to wear much faster. But. It is a simple setup. One large, heavy and very short chain, and two sprockets. No multiple chains, tensioners, or guides. It takes about an hour to replace one. I consider replacing the timing chain on one of these engines every 75,000 miles or so to be routine maintenance. But the fact is, NO chain is going to have a really long life. Chains are a wear part, like clutches, brakes, tires, etc. They should not be used in a place where they are hard to get to for replacement. A good engine should outlast several chains. If you use either a chain or a belt that requires major disassembly of the engine to replace, then you basically have a disposable engine.
of ALL the Chevy Trax reviews out there (and there are a LOT) yours is the most useful. We will see how many miles I get out of mine with proper care and maintenance.
Maybe 75k, good luck
@@phatgringo2.0source????
@@dnegel9546No source. Just a dumb comment.
@@dnegel9546 uh, anyone who knows about wet timing belts and a motorcycle engine strapped with a turbo in a 3,200 lb station wagon I mean "SUV".
I believe this is a great little car. MSRP less than 25k right now. It’s a steal for the common man and who want an affordable vehicle.
"Some of the options are optional" LOVE IT!!!! Shows that this was not really scripted and that's why he's got such a great following. He tells it like it is. I truly appreciate reviews that go into the dirty details like the engine compartment and underneath. Thank you for all you do!!
I have a brand new 2024 Activ. Bought it with an extended warranty. We usually drive our second car until the warranty is done and trade so no worries on maintenance lol. This small SUV fits perfectly into our life, is great on gas, has low payment, and has really nice features.
Nice! I have the Activ as well, definitely alot of car for the money, and smooth ride with feature most expensive cars don't have. I'm in love with mines just put 2K miles on it.
Agree
@@darytendotm9188any issues yet?
The wet-belt system is one of the biggest red flags for modern engines. Made to last the warranty period and that's about it. But that's okay.
Can you explain why that is a red flag for modern engines? Does it not make a difference that they were designed for it?
@@G-Ratedin fords pieces of the belt shavings gunk up everything
In Europe Stellantis use the wet-belt system in several brands from Peugeot to Opel and Jeep. Only problems, the oil deteriorates the belt...
@@G-Rated It shows that the manufacturer is willing to cut corners and use a less reliable system for a marginal fuel efficiency gain and cost savings. In a perfect test-stand world I'm sure the materials they used for these belts are suited for decent service intervals. However I have seen real world issues with similar Ford engines having severe degradation of timing and oil pump belts as low as 50,000 miles. In a general sense timing chains have a better track (trax?) record for reliability when dealing with varied driving conditions. This is mostly based upon my observations from working a dealership and also my opinion so please don't take what I say as fact.
Historically no one in right mind buying sedan/crossover from GM after 1996 caprice. And no one in right mind NOW buying anything from GM
Small 3 cyl turbo charged engine; strike one. GDI only; strike two, Wet belts; strike three. If GM had put a naturally aspirated 1.8 or 2.0 liter 4 cyl engine in it with MPI instead of GDI this would be an attractive vehicle.
They used to have a 1.8 MPI engine in sonics & Cruzes for the base model. It's a wonderfully simple engine, but it does use an (external) timing belt.
I agree the engine and design of it ruins it
All I have to say is I really love your reviews. Thank you for telling it like it is but also giving your own experienced personal takeaways as well.
Well that depends on the vehicle. He has completely avoided talking about the catastrophic engine failures in the 2022+ Tundra for quite a while now, but as soon as Toyota finally begins to warranty those junk engines, he will heap praise on the company that has done everything it can to try to weasel out of replacing those engines under warranty by trying to accuse owners of being at fault for the failure.
I’m not even half-way through the video and I’ve already lost track of how many times Amd has said “that’s ok”.. and we know it most certainly is NOT ok! 😂
Engine goes total replacement required,no rebuilds here.Thats what I’m getting from this review.
Good job sir 👍🏾
But that's ok.
Engine replacement,and gM loves it-just garbage no wonder Kia sells,it’s just ridiculous
Chevy, cheap now expensive later.
Disposable engine, disposable car.
Perfect design for rental fleets.
I live in the UK and most of the models featured here are not applicable. However, it is always a pleasure to watch this man. His reviews are excellent.
I bought this same vehicle w/o the sunroof for only 25K, it's been great. I use it as a daily driver and it rides smooth and quiet with a peppy motor. I have had no issues and all the electronics work perfectly with no glitches like I have experienced with more expensive brands. He failed to mentiom some features such as heated steering wheel and 18 in wheels with continental tires. Also it's nice to see the amps and water temp gauges which many cars don't show you. All the buttons are where they should be for real easy use which is great, no searching and trying to figure out things. I took many trips with this vehicle and had no back pain and was completely comfortable cruising at 70mph and it still wanted to go faster. I got 42mpg on one trip without using ac which is fantastic. The vehicle has a HD back up camera that's better than other more expensive vehicles that I have owned and the display and graphics are sharp with no sun glare. I enjoy driving it more than my other cars, it's very practical and looks great. As far as longevity goes I'm not worried because I normally don't keep my cars more than 3 yrs. but i believe if you change the oil properly at the dealer you wont' have any worries. I have no regrets buying this Chevy and for only 25K how can I complain.
Just purchased mine, and I'm happy with this purchase. I've had all types of makes and brands. All have been good to me because I have also been good to them. If you take care of your vehicles and don't abuse them, longevity is never a problem. And just to add, I've kept all a very long time.
Yea both of you commenting should’ve went with Mazda lol , has all those features plus more for the same price and more room , it’s a Chevy we all know how it ends and that’s with unexpected repairs that are outside of warranty 😂
Get a 2025 Toyota Camry 55 to 60mpg and will last you at least 500,000 miles.
@@dumbdee4Time will tell as the Hybrid system is the issue. For sure the hybrid battery will need replacing once for sure if not more.
@@kennordsfan1494 what are you talking about "time will tell." Toyota has been making hybrids for a decade the batteries are very reliable.
I personally like the reverse lights coming on when you get out of the car. Helps illuminate the path for my feral children who trip very easily. Plus when people see a car "reversing" they tend to slow down around it. Safety.
I normally don't care about car reviews when I'm not in the market for a vehicle, and especially when it's not a vehicle I'd normally consider.
I was glued to this one. Beautiful job!
i have the 2025 active fully loaded. Smoothest compact car i ever drove, smoother than any Japanese or European cars in this segment. Love this car.
I have 2024 Trax Activ and I love it!
For maybe a few years and 50,000 miles. Have fun after that
Finally, someone agrees with me and the misuse of backup lights. And the obnoxious, wake up the neighborhood, horn verification. Put a resistor circuit or additional small horn for that.
I'm so glad you did a review on the new Trax. As someone who has a 2023 V6 Blazer and considered this 2024 Trax before I bought my Blazer I follow the Trax closely to see how they do. I think for the price you're spot on, easily one of the best looking vehicle in the segment inside and out and the build quality with a regular transmission is welcome. I don't see why you wouldn't easily get 150k-200k miles without many issues honestly. Considering the timing belt is supposed to be changed at 150k according to the manual. GM is selling a TON of these so it'll be interesting to see how long they last with so many out there and how many high milage Trax's we get in the coming years. Great car for the price without question considering almost every other vehicle at this price is more expensive and has a CVT in it!
the new CVT's are perfect for low power offerings and last long, are more efficient. They cost more to make well though.
I think this is a 150k mile car and then it is done. I bet it will be cost and parts prohibitive to do a timing belt in 12 years.
Tbh. The 1.2 puretech 3 cylinder engine which the french did is also designed to run with an internal timing belt that is oiled. And it doesn't matter if its designed to do so, because it still fails before hitting 38k miles.
Yep, in Europe it is a huge scandal. Avoid at all costs (they say it has differentt timing belt now, but I would not trust it).
That's because it's French.
@@21Piloteer Yep, peugeot. Like the 1.6 prince engine... In short current peugeot gas engines should be avoided. Sadly the diesels are getting worse too (you cannot get the really good 2.0 hdi any more).
Pure Crap as known in the UK 🇬🇧
Take this with a grain of salt, but the GM LIH engine we see here in the trax is actually based off of the PSA Puretech you speak of here, something GM got from PSA as part of the Opel deal. Really not a good sign. The LIH engine in the trax will be replaced for 2025 by a flex fuel LPB engine. Not sure if it'll be any different an engine besides being flex fuel though
It seems like a good car for the first owner, buying it new. It does not seem like a reliable car for whoever becomes the second or third owner. I prefer the rock solid Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Highlander since I buy cars used and not new. Thanks for probably the best review ever done on the all new 2024 Chevy Trax.
There will be no second or third owner. After the warranty ends, it will be in a recycle yard.
@@georgeburns7251So sad to see a car, that is so compelling and so good looking, suffer from GM engineering compromises and poor GM reliability.
The Highlander is reliable as long as it doesn't have the 2GR.
@@georgeburns7251 Just like a 2022+ Tundra?
@@georgeburns7251Time will tell. It is uneducated to make a statement without any kind of facts.
That reverse light skit is something you should do more in your videos. I feel it hammers your point home a lot more
The volume control and track selection for the infotainment screen are mounted behind the steering wheel within finger reach while driving, so no need to reach the knob unless you're hitting the power button. The hangup button on the wheel alsos acts as a mute button when not in a phone call.
To me, a non-engineer, the underside says “lowest possible manufacturing cost.”
Aren't they all similar to each other these days?
@alexanderkennedy2969 Are there high-quality Hyundai undersides? I wonder...
@@bmw803 Yup. Everyone will try to save costs in one way or the other. In the end, we customers are the eternal victims.
@alexanderkennedy2969Not in Japan, because Japan will make sure you are shamed for eternity if you dare do such a thing 🤷♂️
At least they added a rubberized undercoating…most companies don’t do that
Best car reviewer there is. Reasonable criticisms on the Trax.
Really wish they just used a timing chain for this.
I've watched a lot of 2024 Chevrolet Trax reviews this is one of the best. Thank you
I bought one, I really like it. Great crossover commuter alternative to a compact sedan.
This car is FLYING off dealer lots. I had to have one ordered because there are none on the dealer lots. Cant wait to get mine!!
They'll sell tons of these. Affordable and looks good.
@tonyc7435
I really can't understand why.
Same with the Konas which seem to be really popular around where i live.
If it's the pricing why not just get a 3-5 year old Toyota or Mazda SUV with relatively low mileage or something?
The cost is about the same as this piece of junk is brand new and even though the vehicle is older it'll last longer and be less expensive and troublesome to repair in the long run, probably more spacious and powerful in some cases too depending on the model.
@@hollowgonzalo4329that’s what I’ve been saying , instead of buying this low quality piece of junk just get a used Mazda , has all those plus awd , more space and true 6 speed
I laugh at the people who buy this and wonder why it’s having issues 😂
@@hollowgonzalo4329
Most of the people getting these new are leasing. They like to lease a cheap new car with low lease payments for 3-4 years and then get rid of it to move on to the next lease.
@@hollowgonzalo4329 , how do you know it is a piece of junk? It just hit the dealer floors. Are you a seer or just regurgitating what other clairvoyant geniuses spew in comment sections?
I have over 24k on mine. Get excellent mpg. Highly recommend it!
I bought the "new" Trax for my wife in November. We love it. What an amazing video by this man. I think he is great ! ! ! I'm going to forward the video to my mechanic.
You must not love your wife very much…. But, seriously, a RAV4 would have been a much better choice.
@@ozarkliving7263 Yup and it's not that far off in price with similar fuel efficiency.
If this vehicle had a conventional N/A engine with a timing chain, i would have definitely considered it. Everything looks great here, but i would never risk it with a spotty power train.
That those pesky Koreans for this vehicle. Still goes back to Daewoo which GM bought some years ago.
I have to say if they changed that wet belt to a regular timing chain I would be a buyer for that price. The maintenance with that belt would be my only hesitation. The car looks good for the money.
Bought my RS Trax in November and ive been very pleased with it. Thanks for the review!
How many miles now
I think this a great cheap lease car. If you just need a second car to drop off kids to daycare and just go grocery shoppinh then this car will just do fine. I was actually impressed when i first looked at it on the street. Didnt look cheap at all. That price point is crazy at current market.
The problem is that the engine is crap. Yes, it is refined but with GDI, Turbo, and wet belt it won't last for the long haul. No wonder you would recommend it for a lease. On the other hand, I don't want to have to swap cars every 3 years. Also, I buy used cars so this one is a waste of my time.
I wanted one when I drove an LS. I REALLY wanted one when I drove an LT. There was the biggest difference to me. It’s a great car.
I'm 71YO, and was a loyal ford owner for the last 47 years. I still have my toy(a 2013 mustang GT 5.0), but because of the 1.5L coolant intrusion issue, I got rid of my 2019 ford escape. Too bad, because I really liked the car other than that issue that had already started. So I went to Chevy, they were great to talk to. I test drove a Trax, and looked at what they had coming in. I chose a 2rs in black. And the 6 speed auto TRANNY over the CVT is what really changed my mind. I've had it since June 16th, it has 13,000 miles on it, and I love it so far.
@@BubblesTheCat1 and he's probably thinking.....give me another 10 or 20K and I will.
@@BubblesTheCat1watch the video again.
Designed and built in Korea.
@@ZinFan16 so? most vehicals now a days are built there. also its essemebled in S korea but parts come from canada, usa, etc.
@@dragoon666 most cars are built in South Korea?
Don' t let Honda, Toyota, Ford Jeep, etc. know that
Yea you messed up lol , the 6 speed was trash back in the day already , now you have to worry about that small engine lol
Should’ve just went Mazda , could’ve gotten 6 speed , awd and 4 cylinder that will last ages longer lol
His voice is soothing & smooth. I could watch these all day. Love this car !
I think it’s wonderful that the transmission is a clutch type six speed rather than a cheap CVT. Anytime you see a timing belt motor it is because that is the cheapest way to manufacture it. Maintenance costs are shifted to the owner in the future which could be in the thousands of dollars especially with this vehicle. Small GM Duramax diesels manufactured in Taiwan also use a belt driven oil pump submerged in oil. Ford is using the same design with some of their eco-boost motors. You have to look at obviously how many miles the engine has on it before you change the belt, but it is also time sensitive. Even a vehicle with relatively low miles, after 10 years, I can only imagine what the rubber would look like on the belt after being immersed in oil that long. With this particular vehicle when it’s time for the timing belt to be changed, it could be a game changer on whether to just junk the car or not because of the cost.
CVT's cost about 3 times as much as torque converter type auto and you said clutch type. You have things all scrambled up. This is a torque converter type.
@@jamesmedina2062Where did you get that information about CVT cost? CVTs are cheaper and much simpler to manufacture than a traditional automatic. It’s why they’ve overtaken every economy car. Cheaper and gets better mpgs
@@dawsongranger4940 Yeah I do not have a citation and I am sure the costs vary but I drive manual and was told CVT's are more expensive than them. Because CVT is newer and requires great precision I was told they cost more. Again perhaps the comparison is only valid manual vs CVT
@@jamesmedina2062 What you were told is just objectively wrong. And new manuals are about as expensive as traditional automatics to make now because of RND for a dead transmission nobody will buy anyways. CVTs are significantly simpler and require a lot less parts and materials to make compared to autos. They also have torque converters. And have been around for almost as long as autos. The first cvt car was 1958 and were becoming main stream in the 80s.
I had to buy a new CVT transmission for my Nissan Altima. It was over $4,000 with labor 😭@@jamesmedina2062
Great review! This guy knows his stuff and knows everything he is looking at. “Cheap but it’s okay” is a good summary for this car. If the engine doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare in 10 years then it will likely make a lot of drivers happy
Love the review, quite refreshing to get the take of someone who hasn't just given us stats and figures, but impressions of having spent real time in the vehicle and offers insight from the perspective of some of someone who actually works on vehicles.
Sure, it's a economy car, it's a GM, and it's a new model which is yet unproven, it doesn't mean that GM may have still improved some of the things they may have traditionally fallen short on.
I currently drive a '23 Ford and while I like many things about it, I am somewhat disappointed in the fact that the transmission randomly makes a hooting noise in first gear; it's developed a random clunk in the front suspension which always seems to occur when I arrive home and stop to back into my driveway; and the audio system, aside from sounding too much like a 70's transistor radio, has glitched more times than the UConnect systems in previously owned Jeep/Ram vehicles the entire seven plus years I've owned them.
Now, knowing some of the issues Ford has had with 1.5L/2.0L block designs and issues with the eight-speed automatic, would I be willing to gamble on a new Trax? Yes, yes I would.
My dad got this car and love a lot. I test drove myself and love way it drive.
I have a base model 2024 LS with 85,000 miles on it. Not a single hiccup. Best car I’ve ever purchased for under $22,000. In my opinion, I’ve already gotten my moneys worth.
God damn how you get that many miles on it?
@@barrerasnomas2058 Uber/Lyft/grubhub/doordash/private transport/out of state transport/ etc…. 12,000 + miles per month. Crazy!!!!
85k in like 6 months???
@@PC-vq5ud Purchased, June 2023. It’s almost a year old.
"already got your money's worth" ?
$22k for a year's driving....to the moon 😮
16:40 just think of the slush and ice and snow that's going to build up around that in the winter. And freeze.
I would like to see a review of the Ford Maverick Hybrid powertrain! That would be interesting
Agreed
Can help you there, the C-Max Hybrid I've driven for over 11 years (bought new) has been great, 44 to 57 mpg around town, and 42 to 46 on the interstate running the speed limit .... you can't drive it 10 mph over the limit an expect great gas results. Maintenance ... every 6,000 miles for me, I average about 2,400 EV miles per 6,000 miles. The drive train is great, quiet an efficient. I currently have over 81,000 on the car. Had all the hoses, 12 volt battery, brakes, etc and other things done about two years ago ... spent just over $1,800 for that. Good for three more years. It's been great, three others (one is a business vehicle with over 150,000K on it) and all three remark the above. Hope this helps. I too am looking at the Maverick in the XL trim. Why? I can't justify the money for the XLT & Lariet trims. Go to "Ineedahubcap.com" and you can buy used alloy Maverick Wheels or other correct size/bolt hole Ford wheels, or as I plan to do get a set of stainless trim rings for the wheels, they look great, several photos out there to see what they look like. Again, hope this helps.
I second. Ford loves to drive oil pumps with wet belts. I wonder if the engine in the hybrid Maverick has one?
@dougrobinson8602 No. The 2.5 4cyl in the Maverick is the ancient Mazda MZR engine from the early 2000's.
@@W0RLDSSMALLESTVI0LIN the Ford Duratec and Ecoboost 4 cyl motors are all based on Mazda designs from back when Ford owned a large stake in Mazda to save them from bankruptcy
Motor has been used in the Trailblazer since 2020 , seems to have a decent track record so far according the my Chevrolet tech friend.
I hope you are correct! We need a good domestic product.
@@markleggett3944 There are plenty of examples of good domestic products from a variety of manufacturers.
They’ve also been using the same engine in their Chinese models for about 6 years from what I hear
I have a 2021 trailblazer with a 1.3 liter approaching 58k miles and it’s still running smooth. Also, I take great care and never miss an oil change.
I always look forward to your reviews and this is no exception!
I’ve had my 24 Trax LT for almost a year…12k miles….
So far it’s been nearly perfect…. And my dealer offers a free lifetime pertain warranty as long as you are changing oil every 5k with synthetic…. I totally agree with the annoyingly loud horn triple beep when you get out of keys are still in it! Only problem, I have one rear window that is going to get service…. The sweet spot is the LT trim at $23k it gives you the giant infotainment screen…. (The LS & RS1 have a small center screen)& I’m pleased with the overall design but could have designed the tail lights better….
And FYI, the volume knob placement is no concern…because it has controls on the back side of the steering wheel that are perfect….
I also own a c8 stingray convertible…. And I hate the feel and placement of the volume on it…. But that’s about my only complaint…..
glad to hear you're changing the oil every 5K per dealer requirements
Really appreciate these in depth reviews. Really helping consumers better understand what really matters under the flashy exteriors.
I give him thumbs up even before watching his videos because it is guaranteed to be good.
lol gM quality in plastic parts,almost as bad as quality in gM fans,it’s creepy
@@bradzimmerman3171so many stupid *gm* trolls 😂
I'm hooked on your videos man. No nonsense, objective information, and certainly no click bait!
GM should have just stick a good old 2.0 4 cylinder (or a 1.8), no gdi, no turbo and a timing chain...the car looks good but i'm scared of the engine! Good thing about the 6 speed autobox!
The 1.4 turbo engine before this was a pos and had many issues
Yup, stay away from most any GM Turbo and GDI engine if you can... Junk and future issues for sure!
@@BigAltimaEnergy7191.4 L Family2 engine. It’s the turbo that had all the issues, the NA engines were not great, but just OK.
My experience with this transmission is not a favorable one. Hard down shifts 5-4 3-2 2-1. And hard up shifts from 4-5. At least once a week I have a down shift so hard I have thought that I was rear ended.
@@lynneven5130 Good info! The last 6 speed transmission i drove was a kia and it was surprisingly smooth, i'm used to the 3 or 4 speed from the 90`s...that's why i drove a manual!
You, not Chevy sold me on this car, Your the man .
Enjoyed your review and quick mechanics evaluation of the Trax. I'm a 74 year old and had my first accident in a Corvair when the right rear wheel and axel came off the vehicle during a left turn. I drove and worked on my grandfather's '65 chevelle and am also familiar with the Vega (and its inherent problems). As an old-timer I can't help but be Leary of the Trax only having three cylinders...especially on a vehicle that may be used off road where it can get wet or muddy. I've never been one to put much faith in turbos because from my experience they don't last, and I keep my vehicles usually a minimum of 20 years on average. Good review with great insights, thank you!
This small car is only available with FWD. It should *never* be driven off-road
Great video! I was waiting for a solid reputable opinion on one of these!
The key fob in the car thing: my neighbor has a 18 Traverse and it honks like 6 times 😂
The back up light thing: GM has been doing that starting 97 and most owners like the feature. You can always turn it off if you don't. Personally I override the light delay if I'm in a parking lot, but in the dark out here in the rural areas I'm thankful the car has them!
Trax - on the road - very nice to look at (from the back) - very good stance, wonderful ground clearance. No AWD was a great choice to lower immediate and long terms costs and thus boost owner satisfaction, and you get better mpg most likely. I think you see that in the very proven and reliable 6 speed they went with over CVT (which you know the bean counters were stomping their feet on). People often misunderstand - I'm in snow most of winter - I will take ground clearance to save "oh get me out of this" over more tires spinning almost always.
It’s still a piece of junk lol I’ll take a Mazda over this
@@cormaro13 If you watched the video it was noted that the cost and value of what you get for your buck is very good; it you have the money there are lot of other options Mazda - go for it, why even comment - Lexus is better than Mazda na na.
@@GlennLaycock let’s see how much that cost and value add up when it’s out of warranty lol
Lexus alright , took a Toyota crown over a nx model
@@cormaro13 Crown is another conversation - depends on the model, but I liked it, and the SUV version is expected to be outstanding. I would suggest at 3 times the price - you are not comparing apples to apples.
@@cormaro13professional hater and Mazda stan. Mazda isn’t as good as you think and not everybody wants to deal with a Mazda. Small interior for the size and poor mpgs despite having a very efficient engine. The 3 is roomy but a lot of the others feel cramped
This is my first time seeing the mechanic. He is very thorough on this review. Purchased my 2024 Chevy Trax LS (Sterling Gray) on February 14, 2024. Love it. No problems. Big upgrade from my 2012 4 door Toyota Yaris. He's correct. Priced just right. And it is just what you need. It's not a race car, but it's good enough for everyday around town driving. My only complaint is the "easy access door" for the gas nozzle. But i guess that's the "new era" we live in, and i got to get used yo to it. Other than that, i would recommend the all new Chevy Trax (in any trim) "for everyone!" We all thank you for this great review on a 1st year, brand new vehicle. Take care.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Enjoy it while you can! As youll soon be on a first name basis with the service department 😅
About 7 years ago my friend bough a 2010 Yaris sedan with 110,000 miles. It now has over 146,000 miles. The car is bullet proof. Except for the AC not working the Yaris runs well & is comfortable. What a great reliable vehicle!
@@caseytheconqueror7958i suspect the part where he said "love it, no problems" is going to age like milk not too far in the future 😅
Excellent review...seriously considering the Trax....I'm glad this popped up on my Google feed....thank you!
I've read concerns about a 3 cylinder engine with a wet belt. The Trax 2024 manual says the belt won't need replacing until 150k miles, but posters say they doubt the 3 cylinder engine will even last that long, with the work it has to do to move the vehicle. My commute to work is only 2 days a week, currently, so I will probably only be putting 8k miles at most per year on the one I'm getting.
Update: To keep the wet rubber timing belt in good shape, I'll take the advice of one post I saw and get an oil change at 1000, 3000, and then every 5000, and keep the oil topped off, checking it every week for color. And I'll get the belt inspected at around 40k miles.
@@kilroy987 drive it responsibly and keep up the maintenance and it will probably last 10 years. The problem with these cars will be young first time buyers who try and drive it like a Corvette. I think it will excel as a commuter vehicle. Keep the oil changed every 5k, service the transmission fluid at 60k and you should be ok. Even Toyota and Honda have had issues in the past
Thank you for your thorough and detailed mechanical reviews. Your channel has become one of my first go-to channels for reviews! Few, if any, are as detailed and honest about the mechanical bits. I am planning to upgrade my current vehicle next year, and, since I prefer to stay under $30K if possible, the new Trax was on my list. So, I was glad to find your review of it.
I had a 2024 Trax Activ(top trim level) for 8 months and actually did like it, sold it for a CX30 Turbo because the Trax just didn't have enough get up and go for me.
I have leased a C300, Mini Cooper, Corolla, Sentra, and this. This is probably my favorite one out of all of them, especially for the price. You get A LOT for what it is. I have the base model. Sure I miss power trunk and start/stop button, but I adapted just fine. I would give this a 9.3 out of 10
This confirms exactly what I told my cousin when he was looking to buy one. I said you’ll get 10 years and 150,000 miles out of it after that throw it away.
Okay, but arguably there will be so many that repairs and spares will be cheap for those that want to keep it longer. That being said, I prefer a cheap affordable nice car like this than the ecoboxes that only lasted 100,000 miles in the past. I mean, when was the last time you saw a dodge caliber on the road?
With the wet timing belt, 5 years and 75,000 would be a good point to get rid of it. Someone here mentioned that the oil bath on the rubber makes it deteriorate even with low mileage, the clock is ticking. Also conventional timing belts were always something people dreaded due to the cost, imagine 4x the cost on this thing. This car will get a bad reputation quickly, resale value will be a joke at 5 years old.
@@new2000carswap out the belt, I'm sure someone will put up a youtube tutorial for the DIY'ers
It won’t make 150,000 miles. No matter what you do, it won’t get past 50k
@@georgeburns7251source?
Thank you for the excellent technical review on this vehicle. Coincidentally earlier today I heard Jerry (The Car Pro) speaking highly of this vehicle with a caller. Overall looks like Chevy has a winner here at a rather modest price. Good lease candidate.
Great review I bought The 1RS Nitro yellow color from Hornbeck Chevrolet in Northeast Pa. Just under 4,000 miles I love it, many compliments from everyone who sees and rides in it. Well done Chevy👏👏👏 Thanks for the great review.🙏
Not sure where the hate for the Trax is coming from. 10/10 Car and Driver review for '24 and '25
It's coming from having a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with a soft, wet timing belt that is inside the engine and will be an expensive repair every 100K miles (150K according to the manual but that's very risky).
People that buy inexpensive vehicles like to do their own maintenance to save money, but this looks like a headache to do in your garage or driveway.
THE BEST CAR REVIEW I HAVE EVER SEEN, and he invented the word "plasticky"......I love this video bigly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT! This is the review Ive been waiting for so long. I have this vehicle since August 2023 and Im in love with it. Thank U for the analysis. Pretty good!!!!
I got mine a few months ago. It’s way better than the jeep renegade I had. What hell I had with that. No it’s not 4x4 but I had to get rid of that trash.
Any issues with it yet?
@@kreexx no issues! pretty happy with my baby
@@kreexx same none yet
Yes!! The backing up white lights always gets me, it always makes me think someone is trying to back up when they just parked the car, and you are right is a GM thing.
Thanks for your opinion of the Chevy Trax. I'm sold I'll buy one in a heartbeat. One thing you missed. It does come with power seats and it does have the radio controls on the rear of the steering wheel. But o test drove one and i luv it
I own a 2018 Trax. Been pretty good so far. It's a 4 cylinder though and I like the non-cvt transmission. My son drives it nearly daily.
Same here been a fun reliable car, but would I buy another, no.
@@Charlee-w1u why?
Very refreshing seeing this and I hope GM sees this and take notes. I really like the Trax and the price excellent, it wouod be great if they could improve the small stuff.
Just test drove one. Ended up getting one, was hesitant about the small engine but it's sporty and does pretty well, its like a mini blazer, for the price you can't go wrong bumper to bumper 7/70,000 and put about 7k down and payments are 350 so how can you beat that with a new car? Plan on keeping it until the warranty expires and go from there. Love your informative videos keep up the great work you do
Thank you! Was really hoping you'd do this model. I find it far more interesting to see things built to a low price-point.
I love it when he says,”…and that’s ok.” And everyone knows it’s not REALLY ok.
Bravo Chevrolet!!! Planning and work paid off. I hope this one sells!!
They didn’t design it. The Koreans did.
Everybody forgets to tell about the hill assist that it has. I just bought one of these and it has hill assist. It also has heated steering wheel lane assist. This is a nice vehicle. Also heated mirrors.
AMD talking...Meanwhile im more focused in that beauty over there in the back... LANDCRUISER what a beauty
Researching these Traxes and I really appreciate this video and your candor. Thank you for the underbody looks and the mentioning of the concerns as well as the likes. It really seems like this was a level up job compared to past offerings, even if some things aren't ideal.
You should do a review on the trailblazer while the Trax is fresh on your mind to compare them.
I considered the Trax for my recent purchase. I found everything to like just as described in this review. I did not purchase it however due to its low gas mileage (even with a 1.2 liter turbocharged engine), the big question as to reliability, and what I felt was an unrefined throttle response during the test drive. It seemed that making minor changes in acceleration was not possible.
I have been a auto technician for 30+ years. And in my opinion, to answer his question " should you buy a 2024 Trax" the answer is no. But should you lease a 2024 Trax, the answer is yes.
Just came across your channel after seeing many car reviews in the past-easily the best/most practical reviews presented. Great job
I’m not selling my 4runner for this, but for 23k it seems like a great car. Much better than a 70k Tundra where the engine fails after a few thousand miles.
This is gold. Thank you for your detail analysis. Please make more videos like this. I was going to buy the Trax, but now that I know it has a timing "Belt" - Im out.
Good job, man.. Amazing review. Perfect amount of information, no nonsense. Well done!
Thanks for this review. Best one out there. We'll be buying a Buick Envista in the fall as a third car for the family. Same vehicle underneath. When I drove it I was impressed. Also like that it doesn't have a CVT.
Fair review. Nice job GM.
Was thinking same. Finally something that's not 50k and looks ok for the price.
There's a more popular engine code: POS. Lower engine shield is to protect the belts and pulleys area from getting wet and debris. I already knew the answer to your title question, but I watched anyway :)
I have a 2025 2RS on order. Should be here in about two months.
Good luck , could’ve gotten a used Mazda with more features and same price lol
@@cormaro13 Mazda has the WORST infotainment system in the auto industry with that outdated rotary knob/dial nonsense, fully functional touchscreen is the way to go. The Trax is the better purchase..........
@@crow_2k11beatsbydre8 it’s you again finally lol , well like I said in previous post , idk how hard it is to move a knob to the right for car play , everything else it’s just a few spins lol
They did update it in 2023 or 24 on the premium plus models they get wireless CarPlay with touchscreen while in CarPlay
I’ll still chose a Mazda over a piece of junk trax 😂 , at least I know my stuff going to last and not need warranty repair or repairs on low quality parts , he’s said it’s ok , which means go with a different brand lol
Don’t worry Chevy shows its true colors in no time lol
I bought one of these for my wife. We only put about 8K per year on our vehicles. By the time we pay it off in 6 years, we will trade it in at around 50K miles for another affordable SUV. The factory warranty covers us for the most part, and we have a lifetime power train warranty as long as we do the service at the dealership($18 per month). So, for us, we are covered at a price point of $25K for the fully loaded Activ. We'll trade it before we have any major issues like the timing belt....which are covered by the warranties we have anyway. So far, my wife loves the car. It is not perfect by any means and not my flavor of vehicle. But it's a safe and affordable small SUV for the money.
As a Toyota fan, I have to admit I have been highly interested in the new Trax. I like the styling, the size, back seat room, features for the price. I also like the no CVT. I keep my cars for 5 - 10 years so that would be my concern. What’s the reliability going to be long-term?
Horrible, as this is an American car
Take care of it and you’ll get 10 years easily.
@@Commentleaver-c6xyou got jokes
@@star9732 yes, what did the two oceans say to each other? Nothing, they just waved.
Turbocharged 3-cylinder engines unfortunately have a bad reputation for long-term reliability.
Very cool vid. I trust GM products way more than the others. I dont own one but my first was a classic 1975 Nova SS. The product is honest and like the gent said...take care of your invfestment and it will take care of you.
That RS badge is hilarious.
Si hasta el "TRAX" de plástico color opaco se ve.... 🤔🤐
No, it's Really/Sad.
@@ericharrison619 A 1.2 turbo motor and it's a Rally Sport? The power may be adequate, but it's not a sports car.
Like a 4th gen Tacoma with a TRD Pro badge is hilarious. With that ground clearance? How much did you say it costs? LOL WTF!
I've been watching you for years and I think this is one of your best reviews ever. I reckon it's because I've never seen you review a Chevy. I used to own a 68 Camaro and a 72 Chevelle and I loved those cars. I ran them hard and their simple design made them easy to maintain. But whenever I rent or drive a Chevy nowadays I wonder... is this thing gonna last? The one thing I'm impressed with is how some Chevy/GMC trucks and other cars handle very well. I worry about reliability though which is especially important as car prices soar. Thanks for your insights!