2025 Chevrolet Trax RS: Big Personality, Small Footprint—Road Trip

By A.Giron | August 18, 2025

The compact SUV category has been heating up in recent years, with brands packing more features, space, and style into smaller packages. Chevrolet’s answer? The redesigned 2025 Trax RS–a sporty, tech-forward crossover that promises fun on the road and practicality at home. We recently took it on a full-day round trip from Washington, DC to Bethany Beach, Delaware to put it to the test across highways, small towns, and coastal roads. Here’s how it delivered.

First Impressions: Urban-Ready and Adventure-Friendly

With its sharp front grille, RS-specific design elements, the 2025 Trax RS immediately stands out. It looks more athletic than its size might suggest, wearing 19-inch wheels and blacked-out accents that give it a more premium and confident look.

But looks aren’t everything. We were curious: could this subcompact crossover back up its sporty image with real-world performance and comfort? So we packed the trunk with beach gear, loaded up a couple of passengers, and hit the road heading east from DC.

On the Road: Smooth, Stable, Surprisingly Spirited

Under the hood, the Trax RS comes with a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. While those numbers may seem modest on paper, the real-world experience proved more than adequate for daily driving and even some spirited cruising. The 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth and predictable, and once up to speed, the Trax holds its own impressively on the highway.

From tight city corners to open country lanes, the steering felt crisp and responsive. Chevrolet has dialed in the RS suspension for slightly firmer handling, giving the Trax a planted and stable feel, even at 70 mph along I-95. Crosswinds were no issue, and the overall chassis balance inspired confidence–especially for a vehicle in this segment.

Fuel Efficiency: Less Pump, More Play

One of the trip’s highlights was the Trax’s real-world fuel economy. Official EPA estimates suggest 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, and our DC–Bethany–DC loop returned an average of 30 mpg. That’s with the car fully loaded and A/C running most of the way.

With a 13.2-gallon tank, that translates into nearly 400 miles of range–enough to make it to the beach and back on a single tank. It’s a strong showing, especially when compared to rivals that either offer more power at the cost of fuel efficiency, or hybrid setups with higher MSRPs.

Back Seat Comfort: Best-in-Class Room

This is where the Trax RS really impresses. Despite its compact exterior, rear-seat passengers get generous legroom and headroom, thanks to a longer wheelbase and clever interior design. Two adults rode comfortably in the back for the entire drive with no complaints–something that can’t be said for every vehicle in this category.

Rear air vents, USB ports, and well-contoured seats make the second row not just bearable–but actually enjoyable. It’s a big plus for families or anyone regularly carrying adult passengers.

Technology & Cabin Feel

The RS trim gets a unique flat-bottom steering wheel, red accents, and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen that runs smoothly and intuitively. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as do multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin. While hard plastics remain present, the RS interior elevates the look and feel with sportier materials and a clean, driver-focused layout.

Who It’s Competing With

The 2025 Trax RS enters a very competitive space, but it brings a unique value equation:

• Volkswagen Taos offers more power and AWD but costs more and has a more conservative design.
• Mazda CX-30 Turbo brings upscale touches and turbocharged thrills, but at a significantly higher price point.
• Subaru Crosstrek and Kia Seltos offer AWD standard or optional, ideal for those in snow-prone areas.
• Buick Envista shares the same platform and powertrain but targets a softer ride and more premium buyers.

Where the Trax RS wins is in style, efficiency, and space for the price–it starts in the low $20,000s, undercutting most of the above.

Our Verdict: A Worthy Beach Companion–and More

If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that can do a little bit of everything–commute, travel, haul, and look good doing it–the 2025 Chevrolet Trax RS makes a strong case for itself. It’s not trying to be a luxury SUV or a hardcore off-roader. It’s just a well-executed, practical, and surprisingly fun vehicle that knows exactly what it is.

While it doesn’t offer AWD or overwhelming power, what it does offer is balance–a solid driving experience, standout looks, and everyday comfort. For young professionals, small families, or anyone wanting a fun and efficient urban runabout with enough highway confidence for road trips, the Trax RS deserves a serious look.