The 2027 Chevrolet Trax gets a mid-cycle refresh that brings meaningful technology and safety upgrades, but the lineup also shrinks at the bottom. The entry-level LS trim and the 1RS are both discontinued for 2027, pushing the LT into the starting position at $23,700. If you are cross-shopping subcompact crossovers and the Trax is on your list, knowing the dealer invoice price before you negotiate can save you hundreds of dollars on a vehicle where every dollar of margin matters. This guide covers what each trim costs the dealer, what you get at each level, how the refreshed Trax stacks up, and how to put that invoice data to work at the dealership.
Chevrolet pared the 2027 Trax down to three trims: LT, RS, and ACTIV. The LS, which was previously the entry point that made the Trax one of the cheapest new vehicles in America, is gone. So is the 1RS. The LT is now the base model, the RS brings sportier styling cues and a more performance-oriented appearance, and the ACTIV is the light off-road appearance and adventure package. The RS and ACTIV share the same starting price, leaving the buying decision between them entirely a matter of style preference rather than budget.
The table below shows MSRP alongside the dealer invoice price for each 2027 Trax trim. These are pre-destination figures. Chevrolet’s destination charge is added separately at the dealership and should appear as a pass-through on the window sticker at its actual cost.
| Trim | MSRP | Dealer Invoice | Dealer Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | $23,700 | $22,847 | $853 |
| RS | $26,500 | $25,546 | $954 |
| ACTIV | $26,500 | $25,546 | $954 |
Front-end dealer margins on the 2027 Trax are tight, running under $1,000 on every trim. This is consistent with the competitive pressure in the entry-level crossover segment, where pricing is a primary purchase driver and volume matters more than per-unit margin. That said, dealers also receive quarterly holdback from Chevrolet, which provides some buffer below invoice. A well-timed negotiation on a Trax sitting on the lot for several weeks can still produce a price at or near invoice.
All three 2027 Trax trims share the same powertrain: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the only available configuration — there is no AWD option on the Trax. EPA fuel economy is 28 city, 32 highway, and 30 combined. The engine is flex-fuel capable and can run on E85 ethanol.
At 137 horsepower in a vehicle weighing roughly 3,100 pounds, the Trax has adequate power for urban and suburban driving but is not a quick vehicle by any measure. Highway merges and passing require planning rather than impulse. For buyers using the Trax as a primary commuter and daily errand vehicle, the powertrain does its job. For anyone expecting a more spirited driving experience, the RS or ACTIV badge does not add power — the performance impression comes entirely from styling, not output.
All three 2027 Trax trims share the core features that define the refreshed model: an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running Google built-in with Gemini, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote engine start, and an expanded safety suite that now includes adaptive cruise control, intersection automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, side bicyclist alert, and a rear seat belt indicator as standard equipment. These are meaningful additions across the board compared to earlier Trax generations.
The LT is the value case. It carries all the standard features and represents the lowest transaction cost in the lineup at a $22,847 dealer invoice. Optional upgrades available on the LT include wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear park assist. Buyers who are most price-sensitive and want to keep the out-of-pocket cost as low as possible should start and likely finish here.
The RS adds sport styling over the LT: an RS-specific grille, RS badging, sportier lower fascia treatment, 18-inch machined alloy wheels (up from 17-inch on the LT), and a Jet Black interior with red accent stitching. An 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support comes standard on the RS. The RS is for buyers who want the Trax to look like something more than an appliance crossover but are not interested in the outdoorsy ACTIV aesthetic.
The ACTIV is the adventure-styled variant. It wears a unique grille, distinct lower fascia, and 18-inch 5-spoke alloys with ACTIV-specific badging inside and out. The interior gets rugged-styled trim and ACTIV identification throughout. Like the RS, the ACTIV includes the 8-way power driver’s seat and matches the RS on features and pricing. Ground clearance on the Trax is 7.3 inches regardless of trim, so the ACTIV communicates outdoor intent through styling rather than delivering meaningfully improved off-road capability. For buyers who want a visually distinct look over the RS’s sport cues, the ACTIV makes the same financial sense at the same price.
The 2027 Trax refresh is primarily a technology and safety upgrade cycle, with notable exterior styling changes added alongside.
On the technology side, the infotainment screen grows to 11.3 inches and now runs Google built-in with Gemini as the integrated voice assistant, replacing the previous system. The instrument cluster upgrades to an 11-inch digital display. OnStar One2 is included for the first 12 months.
The safety package expands meaningfully. Adaptive cruise control, intersection automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, side bicyclist alert, and a rear seat belt indicator are newly added for 2027 across all trims. These were previously optional or absent at this price point, and their inclusion as standard equipment is a genuine competitive improvement.
Externally, the 2027 Trax gets a redesigned grille and headlights, updated wheel designs, full LED taillights, and a refreshed liftgate. A power liftgate is available as an option for the first time. Interior changes include hexagonal side air vents replacing the round units from the previous version. A new exterior color, Storm Sky Gray, joins the palette.
What was lost: the LS and 1RS trims are discontinued, raising the entry price by approximately $1,200 to $1,500 compared to the cheapest 2026 configuration. Buyers who were targeting a sub-$22,000 Trax no longer have that path.
The Trax is a subcompact crossover in a world where most buyers in this segment are downsizing from sedans or shopping their first new vehicle. It is 178.6 inches long, 71.8 inches wide, and 61.7 inches tall, with a 106-inch wheelbase. Cargo volume is 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Ground clearance is 7.3 inches. The Trax seats five and handles IKEA runs, grocery trips, and road-trip luggage without drama. It is not a vehicle that demands class-leading cargo numbers because its buyers are optimizing for price, efficiency, and urban maneuverability.
The 2027 Trax carries a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty, and 6-year/100,000-mile corrosion protection. Roadside assistance runs 5 years/60,000 miles. Chevrolet also includes one year of free scheduled maintenance on new Trax purchases. These are competitive warranty terms for the segment and give buyers reasonable coverage confidence on what is intended to be a low-cost ownership vehicle.
The tight dealer margins on the Trax mean negotiating dynamics are different from higher-margin vehicles. Here is how to approach it effectively.
Use invoice as your anchor. The gap between MSRP and invoice is under $1,000 on every trim. Open your offer at or just below invoice and expect the dealer to push back. Some dealers will resist discounting a low-margin vehicle when demand is healthy. The Trax’s sales volume means dealerships move a lot of them, and competition in your local market creates the most leverage — not the per-unit margin.
Compare offers across multiple dealers in your region. Because the Trax is a high-volume vehicle, two or three dealers within driving distance will almost always be selling them, and competitive bids create real downward pressure on price even when the sticker margin is thin.
Time your purchase around Chevrolet incentives. On a vehicle with this little front-end margin, manufacturer cash back or low APR financing deals do more work than your negotiating on price alone. Check what Chevrolet is offering in your region — a $500 or $1,000 incentive on a $23,700 vehicle moves the needle as much as a good negotiation.
Keep the F&I office in check. Extended warranties, fabric protection, and add-on packages presented in the finance office can easily add more than the entire dealer margin back into the transaction and then some. Decide in advance what you want and what you will decline.
The subcompact crossover segment is the most crowded market in the United States. At $23,700 to $26,500 before destination and options, the refreshed 2027 Trax lines up against the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Venue, Kia Niro, Mazda CX-30, and others. The 2027 Trax refresh does several things that strengthen its competitive position: the now-standard adaptive cruise control and expanded automatic emergency braking bring the Trax’s safety standard package closer to what rivals charge more to include, and the 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in is a larger and more capable infotainment unit than what several direct competitors offer at comparable price points.
Where the Trax gives ground is powertrain. The 137-horsepower three-cylinder has no AWD option, while some rivals in the same price range offer all-wheel drive as an upgrade. For buyers in Sun Belt states or areas without meaningful winter weather, that may be irrelevant. For buyers in the Northeast or Mountain West who want AWD, the Trax requires stepping up to the Trailblazer, which starts higher but adds AWD availability.
The loss of the LS trim also means Chevrolet is ceding the absolute lowest price in the segment to competitors. Buyers who were drawn to the Trax specifically because it was the cheapest new crossover option need to recalibrate their search at the 2027 starting price. At $23,700 for the LT, the Trax is competitive but no longer uniquely cheap. The buying case in 2027 rests on the total package — screen size, standard safety features, warranty, and brand support network — rather than sticker alone.
For buyers committed to the Trax, the LT at a $22,847 dealer invoice is where to start. The gap between the LT and the RS or ACTIV is about $2,700 in invoice cost, which is a meaningful difference in this price range. Unless the RS or ACTIV styling is genuinely important to you, the LT gets you the same mechanical package, the same screen, and the same expanded safety suite for less money — and knowing the invoice price of whichever trim you choose is the foundation of a fair deal.
