The Chevy Trax’s trim lineup is more straightforward than most buyers expect, but the differences between levels matter for Bergen County commuters deciding how to spend their budget. From the entry-level LS to the trail-styled ACTIV, each trim targets a different buyer with a distinct set of priorities.
Bottom Line: Most Bergen County Trax buyers land on the LT or 2RS - both offer the connected technology and comfort features that make the most sense for Paramus and Hackensack daily drivers. The ACTIV adds a style statement at a modest price premium.
- LS: Honest entry point with basics covered
- 1RS and 2RS: Sport appearance packages with blacked-out exterior trim
- LT: The value midpoint where most buyers find their balance
- ACTIV: Trail-styled top trim with unique exterior and interior styling
For the full Trax overview including pricing and competitors, see our Chevy Trax buyers guide.
LS: The Entry Point
The Trax LS is the starting configuration, and it covers Bergen County commuting requirements without compromise on the essentials. The 155-hp turbocharged 1.2L three-cylinder engine is standard across all trims, so LS buyers get identical powertrain performance to the ACTIV at the bottom of the lineup.
Standard equipment on the LS includes an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. For a Paramus commuter who primarily wants modern safety tech and a capable fuel-efficient engine, the LS delivers more than its entry-level label suggests.
Where the LS falls short for many Bergen County buyers is in the exterior and interior presentation. Painted bumpers on some configurations, fewer color options, and less premium interior materials differentiate it from upper trims. For buyers who park in office garages in Hackensack and Paramus and want the Trax to make a certain impression, the LT or 2RS represents a more complete package.
LS is the right choice for: Buyers who prioritize lowest monthly payment and don’t need upgraded styling or convenience features. First-time new-car buyers in Fair Lawn who want reliability and modern tech at a minimized cost.
1RS: Sport Appearance on the LS Base
The 1RS is effectively an LS with a sport appearance package. Blacked-out exterior trim, gloss black wheels, and specific color combinations give the 1RS a more aggressive visual presence than the standard LS at a modest price premium. Mechanically and feature-wise, the 1RS and LS are nearly identical.
For Bergen County buyers who want the entry-level price point but prefer the blacked-out aesthetic over the standard chrome trim, the 1RS makes that preference achievable. The appearance difference is genuinely noticeable in person - the dark trim treatment modernizes the Trax’s look substantially.
1RS is the right choice for: Style-conscious buyers who want the sport look without paying for the full LT feature set. Young professionals in Hackensack or Ridgewood who prioritize exterior presence on a tighter budget.
LT: The Volume Seller
The LT is where the majority of Trax sales land, and for good reason. It adds meaningful feature content over the LS without reaching into the pricing of the ACTIV. For Bergen County families and commuters who want a complete package, the LT delivers it.
LT-exclusive features include a larger 11-inch infotainment display (upgraded from the LS’s 8-inch), enhanced audio content, upgraded interior trim materials, and a more polished overall presentation. The larger screen makes a practical difference in daily use - navigation and media controls are easier to read and interact with at a glance.
Remote start is standard on the LT, which earns its value quickly on cold Paramus mornings in January and February. Pre-warming the Trax’s cabin before the morning commute is a comfort feature that Bergen County winters make relevant for a significant portion of the year.
LT is the right choice for: Most Bergen County buyers. The upgraded screen, remote start, and interior quality step-up represent the features most Paramus and Hackensack Trax owners will use daily. If you’re not committed to the RS sport aesthetic or the ACTIV trail look, LT is the efficient choice.
"I see a lot of Bergen County buyers walk in thinking they want the top trim, look at the LT, and realize it has everything they actually need. The 11-inch screen and remote start on the LT make it genuinely complete for Paramus commuters. The 2RS and ACTIV make sense for buyers with specific style preferences, but the LT is where the value story is strongest."
General Manager, Paramus Chevrolet
2RS: Sport Styling at the Top
The 2RS builds on the LT’s feature content with the blacked-out sport appearance package applied to the LT’s more complete spec. It gets the 11-inch screen, remote start, and upgraded interior of the LT plus the RS-specific exterior visual treatment - blacked-out grille, dark wheels, and RS badging.
For Bergen County buyers who want both the LT’s practical features and the sport appearance of the 1RS, the 2RS combines them. It’s effectively the “have it both ways” option in the lineup.
2RS is the right choice for: Buyers who specifically want the sport appearance package but also want the LT’s complete feature set. The 2RS costs slightly more than the LT but less than the ACTIV for a style-focused buyer who doesn’t need the ACTIV’s trail aesthetic.
ACTIV: The Trail-Styled Top Trim
The ACTIV is the Trax’s character statement. Trail-inspired exterior styling, unique orange accent stitching inside, all-terrain badging, and specific wheel designs distinguish it from every other trim in the lineup. It’s not a truck-based 4WD vehicle - the Trax is front-wheel drive only - but the ACTIV’s styling signals adventurous intent.
Feature content on the ACTIV matches or exceeds the LT/2RS with additional styling-specific content: two-tone paint availability, unique seat upholstery with accent stitching, ACTIV-specific badging inside and out, and roof rails standard. The 11-inch screen and remote start carry over from the LT.
The ACTIV’s trail styling does not add off-road capability. The Trax is a front-wheel-drive subcompact SUV regardless of trim. The ACTIV’s appeal is visual and character-based, not performance-based. For Bergen County buyers who want a daily-driver with personality, the ACTIV delivers that at the top of the Trax price range.
ACTIV is the right choice for: Buyers who want the Trax as a personality vehicle - the version that stands out in a Hackensack parking lot or reflects an active, adventurous identity. Buyers who prioritize unique interior materials and two-tone exterior options over pure value efficiency.
Which Trax Trim Is Right for Bergen County?
For most Paramus and Hackensack daily commuters: The LT. It has the features you’ll use, the 11-inch screen that makes daily tech use easy, remote start for winter mornings, and an interior that feels complete without paying for styling-specific content you may not prioritize.
For style-focused buyers who want the sport look: The 1RS if budget is a primary concern, or the 2RS if you also want the LT’s features.
For buyers who want the Trax’s most distinctive version: The ACTIV. It’s the trim that earns the most second glances and comes with the most character-specific interior treatment.
FAQ
Does any Trax trim offer AWD?
No. The current Chevy Trax is front-wheel drive across all trim levels. AWD is not available on the Trax. For Bergen County buyers who need AWD, the Chevy Trailblazer or Chevy Equinox are the next steps up in the Chevy SUV lineup.
What engine does the Chevy Trax have across all trims?
All Trax trims use the same 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission.
Is the Chevy Trax ACTIV a good deal compared to the LT?
The ACTIV carries a higher price than the LT for styling content rather than additional performance or safety features. If the ACTIV’s specific look matches what you want, it’s a fair value for the styling investment. If the styling doesn’t matter to you, the LT is more efficient spending.
Does the Chevy Trax have remote start on all trims?
Remote start is standard on the LT, 2RS, and ACTIV. The LS and 1RS may not include it as standard depending on the model year - confirm with Paramus Chevrolet for current-year availability.
How does the Trax LT compare to the Trax LS in resale value?
Higher trim levels generally command better resale values due to the additional features buyers seek in the used market. The LT’s 11-inch screen and remote start are features used-car buyers actively look for in the subcompact SUV segment.
The Chevy Trax trim lineup gives Bergen County buyers clear choices at each level, with the LT representing the strongest overall value for Paramus and Hackensack commuters. Visit Paramus Chevrolet to see current Trax inventory across trim levels, or schedule a test drive to compare the LT and ACTIV back-to-back.