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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $17,707–$20,669 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Chevrolet Trax Base is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.1/10, while Performance at 5.5/10 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. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 5.5/10 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 6.5/10 — 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 $17,707–$20,669, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Trax Base sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Its value score of 8.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Chevrolet Trax Base sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2018 Chevrolet Trax Base 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 $17,707 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 51%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Chevrolet Trax Base scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.0 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $17,707 | |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $17,060 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $16,412 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $15,764 | Read review → |
We rate the 2018 Chevrolet Trax Base's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
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 2018 Chevrolet Trax Base starts at $17,707 and ranges up to $20,669 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.