Chevrolet used to have a crossover in the Philippines called the Trax. It looked better against its contemporaries but it suffered from the slightly smaller size and higher price tag. Add the onslaught it received from Chinese crossovers coming in and it was inevitable that it was axed.
The new Chevrolet Tracker takes everything good about the Trax and makes up for the latter’s shortcomings. It’s just as handsome, a bit bigger, and this specific LT Redline variant is priced at P1,242,888. Will that translate to an overall better value or will it still have gaps like the Trax? Read on to find out.
Trax, Tracker. Sleek, Sleeker. The Tracker certainly improved on the design of the former with a sharper design, more contemporary approach, and bigger stance. The Redline trim makes it more intimidating by having a black bow tie and grille, touched up by red accents on different parts of the car. It’s also well equipped having automatic LED headlights, power folding heated side mirrors, and even a panoramic sunroof.
Inside, you’ll be greeted with a modern design that matches the theme of the front fascia. The lines on the dashboard are sleek, have the right curves, and match the shapely accents on the vents and other panels. The center console is driver centric which isn’t my cup of tea, but I admit it makes things easier to operate while on the road.
There’s an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and oddly enough no Android Auto. It looks tiny though in the overall aesthetic of the dashboard. The automatic aircon still has physical knobs which is greatly appreciated, and the seats are clad in leather.
At the back, there’s noticeably more space for the legs than the former Trax. It’s also easier to go in and out of here. Headroom is good despite the panoramic sunroof, and elbow room is fine for the average Filipino. Unfortunately there’s no rear air vents here but Chevrolet made up for it by having a center armrest with cup holders and dedicated USB ports behind the center console.
There are a few more things apart from the lack of rear air vents. First, there’s an electronic adjustment for the driver’s seat forward/back/up/down but the backrest is manual. It’s odd for sure but I found it alright because having an electronic adjustment for the backrest is slow, whereas pulling a lever is quick.
Second is the lack of electronic handbrake and auto brake hold. There’s also no cruise control on this thing. Last, the cabin isolation needs improvement, which is a let down because the former Trax is quiet.
The biggest draw to the Trax is the engine because for a crossover of this size, it’s amazing that it’s running on a 1-liter turbo. There’s another crossover with the same setup and it didn’t turn out well for them. Fortunately for Chevrolet, the Trax remained true to its intentions. Its 1-liter engine produces 116 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic. It got 8 km/l in the city during rush hour traffic and reached 23.8 km/l on the highway. There was no point in my drive that the Tracker felt underpowered. Okay, maybe on steep inclines, but in most situations it was very chill.
Out on the road, the Tracker almost aced the driving exam. I just noticed that it has a noticeable body roll compared to other similarly sized crossovers that I have to decelerate significantly in winding roads. Another thing is the position of the air vents on the dashboard. If you want them directed at you, they’ll be hitting your hands on the steering wheel if you’re on 9 and 3 or your arm if you’re on 10 and 2 position. It’s a very minor thing, but it’s irritating for me because at noon, when the sun is at its peak, my hands are cold while the rest of my body yearns for lower temp.
The Chevrolet Tracker has a few crucial misses especially considering its P1,242,888 price point. There’s no electronic parking brake, no cruise control, and the cabin isolation needs improvement. I can forgive the other quirks it has but considering the price, I’m really left looking for these three. Chevrolet made up for it tho with what the Tracker excels at – looks, the solid quality of a Chevy, and fuel efficiency, something that’s crucial in these days of inflation.