Pop quiz: Who made the very first sport utility vehicle/4×4?
A good guess would be the original Toyota Land Cruiser in 1951. An even better guess would be the very first Land Rover Defender in 1948. But that answer would be beaten by the pioneering Willys Jeep—the progenitor of today’s Jeep Wranglers—in 1943.
Good answers all. But all wrong, nonetheless.
The company that literally invented the sport utility vehicle was Chevrolet, when it rolled out the seminal Suburban 4×4 way back in 1934. Yes, the off-roading heritage of the Bowtie brand stretches almost 90 years.
Which is why when the creator of the world’s first SUV rolls out a new one, the world sits up and takes notice.
Case in point: the all-new Tracker—Chevrolet’s latest contender in the explosively populated compact and subcompact crossover category. Chevy’s new crossover takes up where the Chevrolet Trax—and before that, the Captiva—has left off.
The Tracker may be an all-new vehicle, but in terms of model nameplate, it’s not. Chevrolet has used the Tracker name before when they marketed the first-generation Suzuki Vitara in America as the Chevrolet Tracker in the late 80’s through the 90’s. Curiously, the Tracker name was also used for the Trax in South America and Russia when it was launched there in 2013.
Spec for spec, though, the new Tracker blows its recent predecessors away. Chevy’s new baby is the latest model in the Bowtie brand’s new-generation, global SUV lineup and has quickly become the bestselling vehicle in major Latin American markets, including Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. It is currently making waves in China (where the Philippine model comes from), one of the biggest markets not just for Chevrolet, but for many global brands. So, yes, the new model has tasted success in markets much bigger than ours and is eager to repeat the experience in crossover-crazy Philippines.
“We are excited to introduce the all-new Chevrolet Tracker to the Philippine market. This highly acclaimed crossover is a welcome addition to our refreshed model portfolio. The Tracker continues Chevrolet’s tradition of producing highly capable crossovers and highlights the brand’s unrelenting focus on growing market segments by offering stylishly designed vehicles loaded with customer-centric technology,” says Atty. Albert B. Arcilla, President and CEO of Chevrolet Philippines – TCCCI.
“The Tracker will appeal to Filipino customers who want more from their crossover SUV. Available in two feature-packed variants, the Tracker offers fuel efficiency, safety, comfort, convenience, and connectivity packaged in a practical and capable SUV,” adds Atty. Arcilla.
The Tracker combines practical functionality, modern athletic design, intelligent connectivity features, advanced engine technology, state-of-the-art safety features, and smart cargo space.
“Bringing the new Chevrolet Tracker to the Philippines represents a new chapter in the successful and ever-evolving Chevrolet crossover and SUV story that we started writing in 1935 with the Chevrolet Suburban Carryall, the world’s first SUV,” emphasized Christian Soemmer, President and Managing Director of GM Strategic Markets Alliances and Distributors. “And the Tracker, with its attractive design and state-of-the-art technical features, is the living proof of our 85 years of crossover and SUV expertise.”
The Tracker comes in two variants: the base Tracker LS priced at Php 1,142,888 and the striking Tracker LT Redline Edition with an SRP of Php 1,242,888. (A special introductory discount of Php 30,000.00, regardless of mode of purchase, is available on the Tracker LS and LT Redline until September 30.) The most impressive part is that the two Tracker variants are priced lower than the two outgoing Trax variants—despite the Tracker being bigger in length, width, and the all-important wheelbase.
Style-wise, the new Tracker draws from Chevrolet’s sporty American DNA you’d see in their cars—from the Camaro’s front to the US-model Blazer SUV’s sharp, angular lines, sculpted panels, and distinctive rising windowline. L-shaped LED daytime running lights, which double as turn signals, further enhance the Tracker’s striking fascia.
The Tracker Redline Edition adds even more distinctiveness with a striking horizontal red trim and a black Chevy Bowtie emblem. This design element continues on the car’s black heated side mirrors, which have a bright L-shaped red trim, and on the 17-inch black alloy rims, which sport eye-catching red accents.
Similar styling treatment is carried throughout the interior of the Redline Edition with an all-black dual cockpit and jet-black seats adorned with red double stitching. The Tracker LS, on the other hand, offers a more playful, sporty lifestyle look and feel, with its two-toned jet black and captain blue interior.
Inside, the Tracker features sports-style driver and passenger seats and a racy flat-bottom leather steering wheel with audio controls. Exclusive to the Tracker Redline Edition is a panoramic sunroof, smart keyless entry, push-button engine start/stop, and automatic climate control. The new Tracker also boasts remote window operation, allowing you to open or close the windows remotely.
Infotainment comes from a floating eight-inch touchscreen running on the latest Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and voice control via Siri. There are four USB ports and even an SD card reader slot. The Tracker has more than 20 smart storage solutions to keep things organized inside the cabin, as well as multiple seating configurations including 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
The Tracker is powered by a compact, lightweight, new-generation turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder DOHC Ecotec engine (mated to a six-speed automatic) that delivers 116hp at 5800 rpm and 175Nm of torque at a wide spread from 1500-4200 rpm.
The Tracker boasts a very extensive array of safety features: four-wheel disc brakes, SRS Airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Warning, Rollover Mitigation, Enhanced Understeer Control, Mini Spare Detection, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Traction Control System (TCS), Engine Drag Control (EDC), Panic Brake Assist (PBA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Low Vacuum (Hydraulic) Brake Assist (LVBA), No Vacuum (Hydraulic) Brake Assist (NVBA), Fading Brake Assist (FBA), Torque Vectoring Brakes (TVBB), Engine Immobilizer, Anti-theft Alert System, Express-Up Window with Anti-Pinch function, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), driver, front passenger, and side airbags, ISOFIX system, electric heated side mirrors, and reverse camera with a wide 130-degree viewing angle.
The Tracker comes in five colors: Agate Red Metallic, Satin Steel Gray Metallic, Black Meet Kettle Metallic, Summit White, and cheekily named Pow Zinga Metallic, a color exclusive to the LS variant. It comes with the Chevrolet Complete Care package, which includes five-year warranty, automatic enrollment to the 24/7 Chevrolet Roadside Assistance for three years, and immediate access to the 24/7 Chevy Hotline for convenient vehicle service and ownership needs.
For more information, visit www.chevrolet.com.ph, follow Chevrolet Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to Chevrolet Philippines YouTube channel. For convenient and contactless Chevy vehicle shopping experience, visit www.shopclickdrive.com.ph.