2024 Trax / Envista, Thoughts?

[JASmith]

Came to check if there was any news of any Maverick changes for 2024, seems like not yet, but noticed no one had mentioned the new Chevy Trax / Buick Envista.

Like Ford was replacing small hatchbacks and sedans with an efficient affordable pickup, it seems GM is following suit in similar style but going with a compact crossover to replace little Sonic/Spark/Cruze/Impala etc.

Just like with the Maverick that shocked the world with its low price, the Trax/Envista are remarkably cheap, although GM decided to give them a decently upscale interior and instead cheaped out on the powertrain, a simple super cheap three cylinder 1.2L turbo with a old school 6-speed slushbox.

~30mpg combined, starting price $20.5K to $23.5K respectively:

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[futuremavowner]

The first drive videos on the Trax are overwhelmingly positive by the reviewers I regularly watch. I believe GM will sell boatloads of them given it’s content and price.

 

[jewc75]

The previous Trax sucked. My kid had one and we took it back after 2 days. No power and it gets tossed around on the highway. It was terrible driving it.

 

[athertonbt]

Should be a strong competitor in it's segment. Chevy's design team stepped up for sure, and I have to say Chevy has some of the better color choices out there. They're not afraid to do something bold colorwise in a sea of white/gray/black vehicles.

 

[FriscoTXJoe]

That engine and transmission are duds for the US market.

Nonetheless, not a competitor for the Maverick. Totally different segment. Can see a lot of college girls driving them unlike the intended Maverick audience.

 

[JASmith]

The previous Trax sucked. My kid had one and we took it back after 2 days. No power and it gets tossed around on the highway. It was terrible driving it.

The last gen Trax was an abomination inside and out, but regarding power I doubt this will be an improvement.

However, the 1.2L does seem to sound OK when you give it throttle, and because this is lower and a much longer wheelbase I doubt would get tossed around on the highway and with the RS package having 245mm tires probably sticks like glue as I doubt it'll weight more than 3.1K lbs.

That engine and transmission are duds for the US market.

Weirdly, the Chinese market gets this vehicle with a more powerful 1.5L turbo with 180hp/180ftlbs mated to a CVT, which likely gets better fuel economy to boot. Supposedly in China this is more of an upmarket vehicle, whereas in the US its their most budget Chevy so they decontented/cheapened it.

Still, if you wanted a new car that has all the latest safety features (which they didn't decontent) for a reasonable price for your kid, and in fact don't want them racing around in, I could see this being a top pick. And unlike the last Trax, this one I for one wouldn't mind being seen in.

Personally, I like the mid-trim of the Buick Envista, it is a bit more expensive but they put soft-touch surfaces everywhere that the Trax lacks, and I think it looks better from the back. Only deal killer for me is I want at least 1500lbs of tow capacity for that occasional uhaul, and neither Trax/Envista are rated to tow anthing.

 

[FriscoTXJoe]

The last gen Trax was an abomination inside and out, but regarding power I doubt this will be an improvement.

However, the 1.2L does seem to sound OK when you give it throttle, and because this is lower and a much longer wheelbase I doubt would get tossed around on the highway and with the RS package having 245mm tires probably sticks like glue as I doubt it'll weight more than 3.1K lbs.

Weirdly, the Chinese market gets this vehicle with a more powerful 1.5L turbo with 180hp/180ftlbs mated to a CVT, which likely gets better fuel economy to boot. Supposedly in China this is more of an upmarket vehicle, whereas in the US its their most budget Chevy so they decontented/cheapened it.

Still, if you wanted a new car that has all the latest safety features (which they didn't decontent) for a reasonable price for your kid, and in fact don't want them racing around in, I could see this being a top pick. And unlike the last Trax, this one I for one wouldn't mind being seen in.

Personally, I like the mid-trim of the Buick Envista, it is a bit more expensive but they put soft-touch surfaces everywhere that the Trax lacks, and I think it looks better from the back. Only deal killer for me is I want at least 1500lbs of tow capacity for that occasional uhaul, and neither Trax/Envista are rated to tow anthing.

Do you believe anything that comes out of China as real?

If so, I have an open market with bats for sale .

 

[JASmith]

That engine and transmission are duds for the US market.

Nonetheless, not a competitor for the Maverick. Totally different segment. Can see a lot of college girls driving them unlike the intended Maverick audience.

Definitely not a direct competitor, but just as the Maverick can replace even Ford's small sedans and hatchbacks since it can do everything those can do and be super economical, this is a similar concept and both pickups and crossovers are hot now.

It is a real shame they aren't at least putting the 1.3T in the vehicle, but they will have the 1.3T in the shorter more boxy Trailblazer for '24, and its getting the the same new digital instrument cluster and big infotainment screen and does have the trick of being able to fold the front passenger seat flat which is a cool hat trick. Might look good in the new cacti green + white roof/mirrors combo.

Granted, still total crap compared to the hybrid Maverick, but try buying a Maverick hybrid at MSRP any time soon! Ford simply can't make enough to meet demand.

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