2015 Chevy Trax comes to U.S. with rivals right behind it

• Competes with Fiat 500X%2C Honda HR-V%2C Jeep Renegade%2C Mazda CX-3%2C Nissan Juke
• Prices start at %2420%2C120%3B %2426%2C530 as tested.
• EPA%3A 24 m.p.g. in the city%2C 31 on the highway%2C 27 combined.

The three-star 2015 Chevrolet Trax LTZ AWD subcompact SUV is a new vehicle, but there's a strong likelihood it'll feel old soon. That's because the Trax — just going on sale in the U.S. — has been on sale in other countries for several years. Chevrolet sells the Trax in nearly 70 countries. The U.S. is one of the last markets to get it.

The result is like buying a Michigan Honeycrisp apple that's been in the produce department a day or two too long: Still tastier than any other apple in the produce department, but it would've been a real delicacy if you bought it a day or two ago.

The Trax's "best by" date may be about to pass as newer competitors reach dealerships.

Trax prices start at $20,120 for a front-wheel-drive model. All models come with a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive Traxes start at $21,620.

I tested a loaded all-wheel-drive LTZ that had a touchscreen; 10 air bags; cruise control; Bluetooth compatibility; Bose audio; backup camera; rear parking assist; power driver's seat, windows and locks; remote start, and voice recognition that used my iPhone 6's Siri assistant.

Rating the Trax is tricky because its most direct competitors aren't on sale yet. We know the Trax's price and EPA fuel economy rating, but we do not yet have all that information on the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and Mazda CX-3.

The available evidence suggests the Trax will be at the low end of both prices and fuel economy in the segment. The Trax compares well to the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Nissan Juke, which are already on sale.

The Trax is a roomy, comfortable vehicle and attractive vehicle with some nice features. Its controls, voice recognition and fuel economy – are likely to be at the low end of its class, however.

The interior provides plenty of head and legroom. The cargo area is accommodating. A 60/40 split folding rear seat and fold-flat front passenger seat allow the Trax to carry larger items than you imagine possible in a vehicle that's 5 inches shorter than a Ford Fiesta subcompact sedan.

The interior materials are pretty basic, with hard surfaces covering the dash and door tops. The gauges are big and clear. There's good storage space for a small vehicle, including a small drawer under the passenger seat in my top-of-the-line LTZ.

The high seating position and big windows provide a very good field of view.

The touchscreen is small and difficult to use in a moving vehicle. There are no dials for the audio system, although toggles for volume and tuning on the steering wheel help. Voice recognition is poor, largely because of Siri's slow response time. The built-in VR systems other vehicles offer respond much more quickly. Siri's lag time is acceptable in a $12,000 vehicle like the Chevy Spark, but at $26,530, the Trax LTZ competes with better systems. There were also some glitches after I paired my phone.

The optional Bose audio sounded terrific.

The 1.4L four-cylinder turbo generates a healthy 148 pound-feet of torque from just 1,850 engine rpm. That translates to good acceleration around town and power for fast highway cruising.

The Trax's small size makes it a delight to park. It slips with ease into spots that would squeeze a midsize sedan, much less a bigger sedan. The steering is quick and responsive. The suspension absorbs bumps well, though road and wind noise are quite noticeable at highway speeds.

The EPA rated the AWD Trax at 24 m.p.g. in the city, 31 on the highway and 27 in combined driving. The HR-V is the only one of the new subcompact SUVs the EPA has rated so far. Its combined rating beat the Trax by 2 m.p.g. It's likely the CX-3 and some models of the 500X and Renegade will also top the Trax. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport matched the Trax's combined rating. The Juke scored 28 m.p.g., but it uses premium gasoline, so running it will cost more than the Trax.

There's a lot to like about the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. It delivers the room, visibility and all-wheel drive of an SUV in a package that's affordable, small and easy to park. Despite that, the little Chevy's controls, fuel economy and phone integration raise enough questions that I wouldn't buy one until we see what the CX-3, HR-V, Renegade and 500X offer.

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.

Behind the Wheel

2015 Chevrolet Trax LTZ AWD

All-wheel-drive, five-passenger subcompact SUV

Price as tested: $26,530 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: Three stars (Out of four stars)

Reasons to buy: Interior space; easy to park; all-wheel-drive

Shortcomings: Controls; interior materials; fuel economy

Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings

(Automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive models)

Chevrolet Trax LTZ AWD: 24 m.p.g. city/31 highway/27 combined. Regular gasoline.

Buick Encore Premium AWD: 24/31/27. Regular gasoline.

Fiat 500X AWD: TBD.

Honda HR-V AWD: 27/32/29. Regular gasoline.

Jeep Renegade Limited 4x4: TBD

Mazda CX-3 AWD: TBD

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWD CVT SE: 24/30/27

Nissan Juke SL AWD: 26/31/28. Premium gasoline.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Comparative base prices (excluding destination charges).

(Automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive models)

Chevrolet Trax LTZ AWD: $26,530

Buick Encore Premium AWD: $30,935

Fiat 500X AWD: TBD.

Honda HR-V AWD: TBD.

Jeep Renegade Limited 4x4: $26,795

Mazda CX-3 AWD: TBD

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWD CVT SE: $24,195

Nissan Juke SL AWD: $26,940

Source: Autotrader.com

Specifications as tested

Engine: Turbocharged 1.4L 16-valve four-cylinder

Power: 138 hp @ 4,900 rpm; 148 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850 r.p.m.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 100.6 inches

Length: 168.5 inches

Width: 69.9 inches

Height: 65.9 inches

Curb weight: 3,340 lbs.

Where assembled: Bupyeong, Korea

Key features on vehicle tested

Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; front seat knee air bags; seat-mounted side air bags; curtain air bags; keyless entry; remote start; daytime running lights; rear parking assist; rear vision camera; 18-inch aluminum wheels; tinted rear windows; heated, power side mirrors; spare tire; power windows and locks; power driver's seat; 60/40 split folding rear seat; flat folding front passenger seat; air conditioning; auto-dimming rearview mirror; 12 volt power outlet; heated front seats; cruise control; manual tilt and telescope steering column; 110-volt outlet; automatic headlights; USB port; steering wheel audio and phone controls; Bluetooth phone and audio compatible; 7-inch touchscreen; AM/FM radio; Bose audio; three months SiriusXM satellite radio service; six months OnStar directions and connections service; five years OnStar basic service; 4G LTE hotspot.

Options: None