2026 Chevrolet Trax LS: Marion Buyers Guide

What "entry trim" actually gets you

People hear "base trim" and picture something stripped down. That's not really LS. The 8-inch touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto out of the box — no wired-only trim anywhere in the 2026 Trax lineup. Chevy Safety Assist is standard, not an option: forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a following distance indicator, and a rear vision camera. Remote keyless entry is standard too, and a Wi-Fi hotspot is available. What LS doesn't get is the 11-inch HD screen and driver information display that LT and up carry, plus the styling touches 1RS layers onto this same equipment level.

The same drivetrain as every other Trax

LS runs the identical 1.2L turbocharged inline-3 as 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV — 137 horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed automatic, front-wheel drive only. There's no all-wheel-drive option anywhere on the 2026 Trax, so choosing LS over a pricier trim costs nothing in power or capability. EPA rates it 28 city, 31 highway, 29 combined — the same figure across the lineup, since every trim shares this powertrain.

What separates LS from the trim right above it

1RS starts $1,500 higher and adds RS badging and black exterior accents — but it's built on LS's same equipment tier underneath: same 8-inch screen, no driver information display. Buyers who don't care about the styling touches get identical core equipment for less by staying with LS. The real functional step-up is LT, which trades the 8-inch screen for an 11-inch HD unit and adds the driver information display.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2026 Trax LS have Apple CarPlay?

Yes, wireless, standard. Every 2026 Trax trim gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — there's no wired-only version and no trim where it's an upgrade.

What safety features come standard on LS?

The full Chevy Safety Assist suite: forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a following distance indicator, and a rear vision camera. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are reserved for 2RS and ACTIV.

Is LS slower than the higher Trax trims?

No. Every 2026 Trax trim, LS through ACTIV, shares the same 1.2L turbo three-cylinder, 137 hp, 162 lb-ft, and 6-speed automatic. Trim level changes equipment and styling, not power.

Can I get all-wheel drive on an LS?

No — on any 2026 Trax trim. Front-wheel drive is the only drivetrain offered on this generation, LS through ACTIV.

What's the real difference between LS and 1RS?

Mostly appearance. 1RS adds RS badging and black exterior accents for $1,500 more, but keeps the same 8-inch touchscreen and skips the driver information display — both trims share LS's equipment tier underneath.

Bottom line

LS gets a buyer real safety tech, wireless smartphone integration, and the same engine as every pricier Trax, at the lowest sticker in the lineup. Step up only for a specific reason — RS styling, the bigger screen, or the driver-assist package on 2RS/ACTIV — not because LS feels like it's missing something essential.