The Chevrolet Trax does 28.6 mpg combined (26.2 city, 32.3 highway), which works out to about $1,343 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.2L 3-cyl does 30 mpg while 1.4L 4-cyl does 28.1 — a difference of $87 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Trax engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet Trax ranges from 30 down to 28.1 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $87 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L 3-cyl | 28 / 32 | 2024–2026 | $1,280 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 25.5 / 32.4 | 2015–2022 | $1,367 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Trax burns a gallon every 28.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 420 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,343 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,715 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$151 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,173 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Trax gives up 6.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.3 out there against 26.2 in town, a 23% drop worth $277 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 26.2 mpg | $1,466 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.3 mpg | $1,189 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.1 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Trax changed over the years
The Trax peaked in 2026 at 30 mpg (28 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 27 — 3 mpg apart, or $142 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 30. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2025 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2017 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Trax — 2 engines across 2015–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,173. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Trax get?
28.6 mpg combined on average — 26.2 in the city and 32.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2026.
How much does a Chevrolet Trax cost in fuel per year?
About $1,343 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,715 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which Trax engine is the most economical?
The 1.2L 3-cyl at 30 mpg, against 28.1 for the 1.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $87 a year.
Is the Trax good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Trax figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Trax is $2,173 against the $1,343 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 27 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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