2016 Holden Trax 1.4L Turbo 6AT FWD (140 HP)

Vehicle Overview

GM introduced the Holden Trax in Australia in 2013, and just three years later, it refreshed the small-sized crossover to boost sales, trying to keep the brand alive.

By using the same underpinnings for the European Opel Mokka, the British Vauxhall Mokka, the American Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax, and the Australian Holden Trax, GM lowered development costs for this small-sized crossover. Moreover, it shared the platform with the Chevrolet Aveo and other similar cars from its lineup. That helped the automaker sell these related vehicles at lower prices. But still, that was not enough to keep the Holden brand, which in 2021 went dormant after 164 years of existence.

The automaker unveiled the refreshed version of the Holden Trax in September 2016 for the 2017 model year, and some of the most significant upgrades were made to the car’s front fascia. Its narrower headlights featured integrated LED daytime running lights on their lower side and projector beams. In addition, the upper grille was slimmer, while the one integrated into the bumper was broad and sported five horizontal slats. Holden also added a skid-plate-like trim on the lower side of the apron, trying to create an off-road look for the vehicle.

From its profile, the small-sized crossover GM installed flared front and rear fenders in an attempt to create a muscular look for the car. The sculptured door panels and the body-colored mirror caps that featured integrated turn signals made the Trax look bold and ready for adventure. On the other hand, the 6.2-inch (16 cm) ground clearance was good enough just for unpaved or damaged roads, not trails and real off-road situations. Finally, at the back, the corner-mounted LED taillights sported a clear area on their lower side for the reversing lights instead of smoked ones as on its predecessor.

Inside, the 2017 Trax featured a new dashboard with a redesigned instrument panel. Its instrument cluster featured analog dials for the tachometer and speedometer and a 3.5” display for the car’s onboard computer. Previously, the speedometer was digital and integrated into the LCD. Another improvement was on the center stack, where GM added a new infotainment system with a 7-inch color touchscreen, which supported wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Customers could have the car in three grades: LS, LT, and LTZ, with different interior features and amenities. At the front, customers could find a pair of bucket seats separated by a tall center console, while in the back, the split-folding bench provided room for up to three passengers.

Under the hood, the 2017 Trax received a new engine: a 1.4-liter turbocharged unit available for the entire range. The previously used 1.8-liter naturally aspirated powerplant was available only for the LS trim level.