2026 Chevrolet Trax: Why This Small SUV Works for Montreal's Urban Environment

Montreal streets reward small vehicles. Narrow lanes in the Plateau, tight parking spots in Old Montreal, and stop-and-go traffic on René-Lévesque all favour compact dimensions and fuel efficiency. The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is built for exactly this kind of driving.

At 4,536 mm long and 1,824 mm wide, the Trax is one of the smallest SUVs you can buy. But it doesn't sacrifice cargo space or cabin comfort to achieve that size. It's designed for urban life: easy to park, economical to run, and practical enough for weekend getaways outside the city.

Compact Footprint for Parallel Parking

The Trax measures 4,536 mm in length. For comparison, that's more than 300 mm shorter than a Chevrolet Equinox. In a city where parking spots are measured in centimetres, that difference matters.

Parallel parking on St-Denis or in Griffintown becomes less stressful. The Trax fits into spaces that larger SUVs can't manage. The short wheelbase and tight turning radius make it easy to manoeuvre in and out of spots without blocking traffic.

Standard features include an HD rear vision camera and rear park assist on most trims. These help you gauge distance when backing into tight spaces. On higher trims, you'll also find blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert, which warn you of approaching vehicles or pedestrians.

The Trax sits higher than a sedan, giving you better sightlines over traffic. But it's not so tall that it becomes awkward to get in and out of or hard to fit into underground parking garages.

Fuel Efficiency for Metro-Area Commutes

City driving burns fuel. Stop-and-go traffic, short trips, and frequent idling all work against efficiency. The 2026 Trax delivers 8.5 L/100 km in city driving and 7.6 L/100 km on the highway, with a combined rating of 8.1 L/100 km.

The Trax uses a 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is designed for low-end torque, which helps with acceleration from stoplights and merging onto highways.

The fuel tank holds 50 litres. Based on the combined fuel economy rating, that gives you a range of approximately 615 km per tank. For most Montreal drivers, that means filling up once every two weeks or less.

Front-wheel drive is standard across all trims. The Trax is not designed for off-roading or heavy towing. Its focus is urban mobility and daily commuting.

Surprisingly Spacious Cargo Area

Small SUVs often compromise on cargo space. The Trax doesn't. With the rear seats up, you get 724 litres of cargo volume. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats down, and that expands to 1,531 litres.

That's enough room for a full grocery run at Jean-Talon Market. It's enough for weekend camping gear or sports equipment. It's enough to move a small apartment's worth of boxes in a few trips.

The cargo floor sits at a reasonable height, making it easy to load and unload heavy items. The wide rear hatch opening provides good access. There's also hidden storage under the cargo floor for valuables or items you don't need to access frequently.

The rear seats fold flat, creating a level load floor. This makes it easier to slide longer items all the way forward without awkward angles or wasted space.

Trim Levels and Features

The 2026 Trax is available in four trims: 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV. Each offers a different balance of style, features, and value.

The 1RS is the entry point. It includes an 11-inch HD touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, and Chevrolet Safety Assist. The Safety Assist package includes Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams.

The LT adds a larger infotainment screen, an 8-inch driver information centre, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist. The LT sits on 17-inch two-tone wheels and includes automatic climate control.

The 2RS builds on the LT with a sportier look. It features 19-inch black-painted machined two-tone wheels, a unique RS grille and badging, black bowtie emblems, a heated flat-bottom steering wheel, and Jet Black with Red accents Evotex seat trim. Red interior accents give the cabin a more dynamic feel.

The ACTIV is the adventurous trim. It includes the same features as the LT, plus 18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels, unique ACTIV badging, a black grille with titanium-colour chrome accents, Evotex seat trim, an 8-way power driver seat, and unique interior accents. The ACTIV is designed for drivers who occasionally leave paved roads but still need a practical city vehicle.

At a Glance: Trax Key Specs

Learn More at Le Relais Chevrolet

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is built for city life. Its compact size, fuel efficiency, and practical cargo space make it a smart choice for Montreal drivers. Visit us in Montreal to learn more.