The 2013 Chevrolet Trax mini crossover is not coming here

Live in the United States and like what you see? Sorry, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is a crossover meant for other markets, not ours. Still, if you’re dead set on getting something like this, check out the 2013 Buick Encore. The Buick Encore starts at $24,950 and shares a majority of its platform and greasy bits with the 2013 Chevrolet Trax.

Sorry folks. At least we will have a slick looking vehicle representing one of our largest automakers – right?

Here are three things you need to know about the 2013 Chevrolet Trax:

1. A 138 horsepower, turbocharged, gas engine will be offered and it will be hooked up with a (gasp) 6-speed manual! I sincerely doubt that the Buick Encore will have that combination, but we can always hope. The European model will have a 1.6-liter base engine that should make around 115 – 120 horsepower (my guess based on the output of the Opel Mokka clone’s base engine) and a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel that will make 129 hp and, more importantly, 221 lbs-feet of torque.

   

2. As this is a European model, and Europeans get all of the fun stuff, there should be a few models that offer a manual transmission and a sporty suspension setup. Given the overall European-ness of the 2013 Chevrolet Trax, I would be willing to bet that it will weigh a bit less than the Buick Encore. The Buick Encore will have a lavish interior and  should have heavier safety components. 
3. The 2013 Chevrolet Trax is aimed directly at the same buyers that go after vehicles like the popular Nissan Juke and the Jeep Compass.  That puts it in the U.S. ballpark of $20,000. Once again, that’s speculation based on the competitor’s prices in this country. In Europe, I suspect £23,000/€28,000 would be just about right.

I like the look of this 2013 Chevrolet Trax, and I applaud General Motors for taking an active interest in the youth market, but I can’t help but wonder what we are (potentially) missing out on. Chevrolet holds a different level of respect outside of the United States and I know they want to be regarded with a little more respect nowadays. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction for GM’s PR and overall reputation.

Well, its better than having Honey Boo Boo representing GM – right?

In this video, Roman and I have fun with another competitor of the 2013 Chevrolet Trax – the 2013 Mazda CX-5!