2026 Chevrolet Trax: Kirkland Buyers Guide

Small outside, generous list of standard features

Compact crossovers usually make you pay to get the basics, and the Trax has built a following by not doing that. Every trim comes with a phone-friendly screen that connects wirelessly, a rear vision camera, and a six-item driver-assistance package that Chevrolet calls Chevy Safety Assist. That package bundles Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking with front pedestrian braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, a following-distance indicator and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. Rear seat reminder and Teen Driver technology are standard as well, which matters if a new driver in the house will be borrowing the keys.

It seats five, it is not rated to tow, and Chevrolet puts curb weight at roughly 3,000 pounds. In other words it is built for commuting, errands and weekend loads rather than trailers.

How the five trims line up

The lineup is easier to read as price pairs. The LS sits alone at the bottom. Two trims share the $23,200 starting point but are not the same car: the 1RS is a styling step (RS grille, black bowtie emblems, red interior accents, 18-inch two-tone wheels) while the LT is an equipment step, adding the 11-inch touchscreen, an 8-inch Driver Information Center, remote start and automatic climate control. At the top, the 2RS and the ACTIV both start at $25,700, one leaning sporty with 19-inch two-tone wheels and a flat-bottom steering wheel, the other leaning outdoorsy with black-painted 18-inch wheels, a black grille with titanium-colored chrome accents and yellow interior touches. Chevrolet also lists a Midnight Edition appearance package for the LT, with gloss-black mirror caps, roof rails and 17-inch wheels.

One engine, front-wheel drive, no surprises

There is no engine decision to make. The 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder makes 137 horsepower, sends it to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic and runs on regular unleaded (87 octane minimum, E85 compatible, per Chevrolet). Independent testing has put zero to 60 mph at about nine seconds, so think steady rather than sporty. The payoff is fuel economy: the EPA's fueleconomy.gov record lists 28 city, 31 highway and 29 combined.

The part worth saying out loud is that there is no all-wheel-drive Trax, ACTIV included. Around Kirkland that rarely comes up, since the hills in Juanita and Finn Hill are short and freezing mornings are occasional. If your routine includes Snoqualmie Pass in January, though, plan on good tires and the traction rules the state posts, or consider whether a different vehicle suits that habit better.

Screens, phones and safety extras

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every Trax, which means no cable for the commute. The LS and 1RS use an 8-inch screen, and the LT, 2RS and ACTIV move up to an 11-inch HD display. A Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless phone charging are listed as available extras. For driver assistance, Chevrolet lists adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and lane change alert with side blind zone alert as available, and the manufacturer's FAQ says the side blind zone feature can be had on any trim through its Driver Confidence package. Since these are options, the window sticker on the exact Trax tells you what that car carries.

Room for a Costco run

Chevrolet quotes up to 54 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40 split rear seat folded. That is plenty for a weekend of gear or a trip to the Costco a short walk from the dealership, and the compact footprint is a quiet advantage in the tight parking garages of Bellevue and downtown Kirkland.

A redesigned 2027 Trax is coming; the 2026 is still on sale

Chevrolet's website lists a new 2027 Trax under its upcoming vehicles, with a sign-up for updates but no pricing yet. The 2026 model remains the one on the order page and in showrooms. If you are deciding between waiting and buying now, the useful questions are how soon you need the car and whether the 2026 equipment list covers what you want. Lee Johnson Chevrolet can tell you what is on the lot and what is incoming, and trade-in and finance options are on the dealership's site.

Choose your 2026 Trax

What Lee Johnson Chevrolet customers say

The dealership holds about 4.6 stars across more than 2,200 Google reviews, and Trax buyers show up in them year after year. Deana C. wrote in April that she chose the store because "the ratings were stellar and they had the exact make/model we wanted," and that "Thomas was super knowledgeable about the Trax." She added that "what was a process I was completely dreading, Thomas made it fun and painless." That is Thomas Huddleston, the store's Assistant Sales Manager and Fleet Manager. An earlier reviewer, Katie M., wrote: "I just bought a Chevy Trax from here," calling it "the most amazing experience" and adding, "I also love my new car!"

Buying a Trax in Kirkland

Washington has no state income tax and leans on sales tax instead. The Department of Revenue's car-dealer table lists Kirkland vehicle sales at 10.3 percent (6.5 percent state, 3.8 percent local), and since January 1, 2026 dealers also collect an additional motor vehicle sales tax of 0.5 percent, so the working number is roughly 10.8 percent of the selling price. The pricing and leasing guide walks through the math, and the service and repair guide covers upkeep on a Trax once it is yours.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Chevy Trax a good car?

It suits drivers who want a low-priced compact SUV with modern phone connectivity, a standard driver-assistance suite and decent fuel economy, and who are fine with front-wheel drive and a modest engine. A test drive on your own commute will tell you more than any spec sheet.

What should I pay for a 2026 Chevy Trax?

Starting MSRPs run from $21,700 for the LS to $25,700 for the 2RS and ACTIV, plus a $1,795 destination charge, and the dealership sets its own selling price. Compare quotes on the same basis, since some listings include destination and others leave it out.

Does the Chevy Trax have AWD?

No. Chevrolet says the 2026 Trax is available only with front-wheel drive on every trim, and the Trailblazer is the small Chevrolet SUV offered with all-wheel drive.

How much can a Chevy Trax tow?

Chevrolet's own FAQ says the 2026 Trax is not rated to tow, so plan on a bike rack or cargo carrier instead of a trailer.

What engine does the Chevy Trax have?

Every 2026 Trax uses a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder that makes 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.

Is there a 2027 Chevy Trax?

Chevrolet's website shows a new 2027 Trax as an upcoming model and invites shoppers to sign up for updates, but it has not published pricing or a build tool for it. The 2026 Trax is the one available to order today.

See the Trax in person in Kirkland

The showroom sits near downtown Kirkland with easy access to I-405, and the team welcomes drivers from Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Bothell and Sammamish. Browse the current Trax inventory, look over the new Chevrolet specials, or pre-qualify online before you visit. You can also meet the sales and service team ahead of time.