With a turbocharged engine and notable fuel economy, the 2016 Chevrolet Trax combines small-car agility with the utility and convenience of an SUV.  Fitting into Chevy’s lineup just below the mid-size Equinox, the Trax first came to the U.S. in 2015 after a few years marketed out of the country.

Trax delivers an adventurous exterior emphasized by a dual-port grille, bow-tie emblem, and swept headlamps accompanied by chrome accents, simulated front and rear skid plates, and intense body lines with pronounced wheel arches.

“Chevy gives Trax buyers two-years and 24,000 miles of free maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations,” said Scott Murphy, Sales Manager at Al Serra Colorado.  “In addition to a three-year- 36,000 mile comprehensive warranty, and five-year- 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.”

On top of that, Murphy said if your Trax will be in the shop for two or more hours, Chevy will provide you with a brand new loaner vehicle.

A lengthy catalog of standard features includes automatic headlights, keyless entry, full power accessories, air-conditioning, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a rear cargo cover.  Standard electronics incorporate the Chevy MyLink interface with touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, GM’s OnStar telematics, a built-in WiFi hotspot, Siri Eyes Free voice control for iPhones, USB and auxiliary inputs and an AM/FM audio system with six speakers.

“The Trax is the only car in its class to offer a standard rearview camera,” Murphy said.

Upgraded selections are available such as alloy wheels, roof rails, cruise control, remote ignition, heated outside mirrors, 110-volt power outlet, satellite radio and the OnStar RemoteLink app, to name a few.  More advanced packaging can get you rear parking sensors, six-way power adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and a Bose audio system.

Abundant interior space accommodates plenty of head- and legroom, with well-bolstered seats for both front and rear passengers.  Buyers can choose to advance to deluxe cloth, cloth/leatherette, or full leatherette trims.

Hauling the family’s gear is easy thanks to Trax cargo space, which is larger than many competitors, and the 60/40 split, flat-folding rear seats can add another 29.7 cubic inches.

Access to pictures, videos and apps is trouble-free with the standard MyLInk interface and touchscreen display.  For a flat fee, BringGo works with select iPhones and Android smartphones to deliver full navigation functionality, including traffic data and POI searches.  It relies on your phone’s data connection but you can control and view it on the touchscreen.

Each Chevy Trax is powered by an Ecotec 1.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission.  The engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.  EPA estimated fuel economy comes in at 26 miles-per-gallon city, and 34 highway for front-wheel drive and 24 city, 31 highway with all-wheel drive. “Best fuel economy of its class,” said Murphy.

On-demand performance is thanks to the turbocharger tapping greater power when needed, yet drivers benefit from the lower fuel consumption of a small-displacement engine when it’s not needed.

Standard antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger enable the Trax body structure to form a protective enclosure around passengers.

Advanced technology helps to avoid crashes, as well as protect the passengers, through the standard rearview camera, standard Stabilitrak electronic stability control (with traction control and rollover mitigation), ABS, electronic brake force distribution and cornering brake control and brake assist.

“Stabilitrak is an amazing safety feature,” said Murphy.  “If you get into icy conditions and the car starts to slide, it will send the right amount of power to the appropriate wheel and correct itself.”

Every Chevy Trax is outfitted with a six-month OnStar emergency communications subscription, which includes automatic crash notification and roadside assistance.

In government crash tests, the Trax received a top five-star rating overall, with five stars for total frontal impact safety and five stars for total side crash safety.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Trax its highest possible rating of “good” in its small-overlap frontal offset, moderate-overlap frontal offset, side impact and roof strength tests.  The Trax’s seat/head restraint design was also rated “good” for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

The 2016 Chevy Trax is more maneuverable and easier to park than many crossovers and offers a spritely performance with enough boost for straightforward highway merging and passing.

“For a small SUV,” said Murphy, “the Trax definitely gives you the most bang for your buck.”