2017 Chevrolet Trax
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 25 / 33 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 313 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $17,060–$22,294 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Chevrolet Trax at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.3/10, while Performance at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.5/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $17,060–$22,294, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Trax sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.3/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Chevrolet Trax is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and reliability and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $17,060 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 53%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Across the Trax model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $22,242 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $22,242 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $21,595 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $20,947 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $20,299 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $19,651 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $19,003 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $18,355 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $17,707 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $17,060 | |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $16,412 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $15,764 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Suspension / Front / Control arm / Lower ball joint 18/04/2019 · 19V312000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the… |
|---|---|
| Suspension / Front / Control arm / Lower ball joint 12/09/2019 · 19V652000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower… |
| Air bags / Frontal 08/09/2016 · 16V651000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2017 Chevrolet Trax's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax starts at $17,060 and ranges up to $22,294 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.