Affordable crossovers are in high demand, but finding one that balances price, quality, and features under $25,000 is no easy task. Fortunately, one standout model in 2025 delivers impressive value without cutting corners, making it the best new crossover in its price range.

This subcompact crossover offers a comfortable ride, solid fuel efficiency, and a surprisingly refined interior for the money. It comes well-equipped with modern tech, including smartphone connectivity, advanced safety systems, and a user-friendly infotainment setup. With versatile cargo space and a small footprint, it’s ideal for both city driving and weekend getaways.

For shoppers on a tight budget who still want a dependable and feature-rich vehicle, this crossover checks all the right boxes. It proves that you don’t have to overspend to get a capable, stylish, and well-rounded ride. Here’s what makes it the top choice among new crossovers under $25,000 in 2025.

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The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is One of the Most Affordable New Crossovers

There honestly aren’t all that many new cars that you can get for under $25,000, and even fewer of those are crossovers. In a pretty tightly packed subcompact SUV segment, the Trax stands out by being one of the most affordable models on offer. However, with a long list of standard equipment, it delivers excellent value and punches well above its weight.

2025 Trims and Pricing

The subcompact segment is packed with some pretty great options considering, with some tough competition on offer for the Trax. Despite this, Chevy’s affordable crossover rises to the challenge and delivers on its budget-friendly ethos without sacrificing comfort. The only new crossovers you can get for less than the Trax are the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Soul, but the difference in price is near-negligible.

The LS is good, with a long list of standard features, but it lacks the appeal that some of the higher trims offer. The 1RS and 2RS are aesthetic packages, which we don’t think really make sense on a crossover that aims to be simple instead of sporty. While coming with plenty of features, the ACTIV pushes into the territory of some other attractive crossovers. We think that the LT hits the sweet spot, balancing price and features. It comes with a larger infotainment system that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and you can equip it with heated front seats.

Changes For 2025

Chevrolet has brought the Trax into the 2025 model year with very few changes. You can now select new paint options, with Cypress Gray and Marina Blue Metallic joining the lineup of choices. More impressively, the Trax is now capable of running on E85 fuel. Other than that, it is exactly the same as the outgoing model year.

Warranties and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty – Three Years or 36,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty – Five Years or 60,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance – First Visit

Chervolet’s warranty package is pretty basic on the Trax. However, this doesn’t work heavily against it due to the fact that it matches most of its rivals in this segment. The only standouts are models from Hyundai and Kia, which both benefit from the longest powertrain coverage in the industry, ten years and 100,000 miles. Chevrolet does sweeten the deal, though, by covering your first maintenance visit on the house.

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A Thrifty Three-Pot Motivates the Chevrolet Trax

When you’re spending as little as you are on the Trax, you shouldn’t exactly expect sports car levels of performance. The Trax comes fitted with a pretty humble engine. While power and speed are not its forte, it is one of the most efficient gas-only crossovers that you can buy, and it is guaranteed to save you money on fuel in the long run. It may not be exciting, but it still has plenty of charm, which is why it is one of the most popular vehicles on the road.

Performance Specifications

The Trax is one of the last new cars on the market to come fitted with a three-cylinder engine. Its small yet stoic powertrain pairs exclusively with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic; all-wheel drive is not an option. Something that we really appreciate is that Chevy has opted for a traditional automatic rather than a CVT, which is pretty uncommon at this end of the market.

It may not be quick, but Chevy’s subcompact SUV delivers enough thrust that it won’t feel slow around town. Take it on the highway, though, and you’ll wish that you had a little bit more grunt. While not sporty, the Trax is more agile than most of its direct rivals, with handling that feels more car-like than you’d expect from a crossover. Its ride doesn’t disappoint either, absorbing most bumps in the road with ease.

Fuel Economy

Like many of the options in the subcompact segment, the Trax is incredibly light on fuel. It may not be segment leading, but it will still save you money at the gas station compared to larger and more powerful crossovers. The RS models come fitted with bigger wheels, with the aim of looking fancier, but this takes a small toll when it comes to efficiency.

Safety and Driver Assists

• Forward Collision Alert
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Available Adaptive Cruise Control
• Available Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) + Lane Change Alert

The Trax comes standard with the full Chevy Safety Assist package, which includes a number of collision avoidance systems. The list of safety features is pretty impressive for this price point. On higher trims, you can also gain access to a slew of more advanced features, including adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA has awarded the subcompact SUV four stars out of five for safety.

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More Comfort and Practicality is on Offer In the Trax Than You’d Expect

Chevrolet has designed the Trax to be affordable, and this usually means it would get a pretty boring-looking interior. However, the Trax comes fitted with more features than you would expect, and it looks a lot nicer than a lot of its direct rivals. Climb the trim ladder a little bit and you’ll even get some high-end features that used to only be reserved for much more expensive models.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

Chevrolet has utilized the space in the Trax well, offering tons of room in the front and back. The back seats offer plenty of legroom and even the tallest adults will find themselves relatively comfortable, even on longer journeys. Compared to the old model, Chevrolet has lengthened the wheelbase, resulting in a larger cargo area. Overall, the Trax is pretty spacious on the inside for a subcompact SUV.

Don’t expect any leather or soft-touch surfaces, with plastics being the norm at this price point. However, the interior design is impressively contemporary, and there is a good mix of digital real estate and physical knobs and buttons. While some desirable features have been left out, things like heated seats, a sunroof, and a remote start function make the crossover feel more upscale than you’d expect.

Infotainment and Technology

The two most affordable trims in the lineup have an eight-inch infotainment screen which sits atop the dashboard. On higher trims, you get a fairly impressive 11-inch unit instead. Models with the larger screen also get an eight-inch digital gauge cluster. The Trax can be had with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.