Chevy Trax Gains Power, Shifts Torque for 2027
Owners and buyers of the 2027 Trax should compare its three remaining trims and test-drive the updated engine before deciding.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Types
General Motors has refreshed the 2027 Chevy Trax with a 3-horsepower increase, to 140 hp at 5,000 rpm, and a peak torque point that now arrives at 4,000 rpm instead of 2,500 rpm. The mid-cycle update also brings new styling, a slimmer trim lineup, and updated tech for U.S. buyers of the subcompact crossover.
Why it matters
For a family shopping for an affordable crossover, the Trax's power figures and the shape of its torque curve shape how the vehicle feels when merging, climbing hills, and carrying passengers. The changes arrive as GM streamlines its Trax configurations from five trims to three, which narrows the choice a buyer faces at the dealership.
The 2027 Chevy Trax makes 140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, up from 137 horsepower in 2026, while holding peak torque at 162 pound-feet. Peak torque now arrives at 4,000 rpm, 1,500 rpm higher than the 2026 model's 2,500 rpm, and the trim lineup drops from five configurations to three.
The players
General Motors
General Motors is a Detroit-based automaker whose Chevrolet brand sells the Trax subcompact crossover in the U.S. market.
GM Changwon plant
The GM Changwon plant in South Korea is the scheduled production site for the 2027 Chevy Trax.
The details
The 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine carries over into the 2027 model and pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Because the engine's peak torque now comes in at a higher engine speed, the power delivery shifts toward the upper part of the rev range, which may feel different from the prior model when accelerating at lower speeds. The refresh also updates the exterior with redesigned front and rear fascias, new headlights, slimmer LED taillights, and new wheel designs, and the cabin gains an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built in alongside an 11-inch digital instrument cluster.
Timeline
The 2026 model year served as the prior baseline with 137 horsepower and peak torque at 2,500 rpm.
Production of the 2027 Chevy Trax is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2027, at the GM Changwon plant in South Korea.
The Home Front
The Trax's mid-cycle refresh sits within the subcompact crossover segment, where buyers weigh fuel-efficient, affordable transportation against larger vehicles. Its use of GM's Global B architecture places it among the company's shared-platform small crossovers.
If you're considering a Trax, compare the 2027 and 2026 specifications and note the trim changes before choosing which configuration fits your budget and daily driving. Test-drive both the new and prior-generation models if you can, since the shift in peak torque timing may feel different in merging and hill-climbing situations.
The takeaway
The 2027 Chevy Trax offers a small power gain and a shifted torque curve, so a test drive is the best way to judge how it suits your household's driving. Before buying, confirm which of the three remaining trims includes the equipment you need and compare current pricing from your local dealer.
What happens next
Production of the 2027 Chevy Trax is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2027, at the GM Changwon plant in South Korea.
Further reading
For more on how different body styles and vehicle classes compare, browse our Car Types coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GM Authority.
