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Episode 444: 2026 Chevrolet Trax, Sung Kang Interview

Episode 444: 2026 Chevrolet Trax, Sung Kang Interview

Unnamed Automotive Podcast Apr 12, 2026 45 min
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About this episode

The hosts break down the 2026 Chevrolet Trax like a “two-country” story: in the U.S. it’s a standout value, but in Canada the price hikes (and loss of the LS trim) make it harder to recommend. They praise the practical cargo space, simple, phone-driven RS interior, and clever phone slot, while criticizing basic features like no adaptive cruise and mediocre real-world fuel economy. The second half features an interview with Sung Kang about his drifting film Drifter, funded by enthusiasts and inspired by the “honest angle” style of Hoonigan videos.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Volkswagen Atlas

"They just published a Volkswagen Atlas review. [92.0s] That's what they did recently, of me with me in it, of me or with me in it. [96.5s] I published, I hosted a video review of the Volkswagen Atlas on their YouTube channel."

The Volkswagen Atlas is a bigger family SUV with three rows of seats. People review it because it’s meant to be comfortable and practical for trips and everyday driving.

Concept

redesign

"Didn't they just debut the 2027 redesign? [106.1s] Yeah. [106.4s] In fact, I talked mostly about the Atlas on this podcast before this video was revealed."

A redesign is when a car gets updated for a new model cycle. It can include changes to the look, the cabin, and sometimes the engine and tech.

Car

Chevrolet Trax

"It is, of course, the 2026 Chevrolet Trax. Trax is a long time all-star on Unnamed Automotive Podcast."

The Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV made by Chevrolet. This episode is specifically about the 2026 version, and the hosts are saying how much people like it can change based on location and local deals.

Concept

Midnight Package

"It has something called the Midnight Package, which is. So it was more than just black. It was black with additional black."

A Midnight Package is a set of styling upgrades that usually makes more of the car’s exterior look black or darker. It’s more than just picking black paint—it changes things like wheels and mirrors too.

Term

body cladding

"I think because the other thing about black that on a crossover is it contrasts against the plastic on the fenders. You know what I mean? Yeah. If it's not like color match to that, that body cladding, it looks no."

Body cladding is the plastic trim on the outside of many crossovers. Since it’s plastic, it can fade or change color faster than the paint, so the car can start looking “off” as it ages.

Concept

press drive

"So maybe it was 2013. It was one of my first press drives in Canada. And here's what I remember."

A press drive is when car reporters get to drive a new car ahead of time. It helps them write reviews and share what it’s like to drive.

Concept

trespassing

"[547.3s] It just seems like the first generation tracks was somewhat cursed, it seems. [552.5s] I believe technically what we did was called trespassing. [555.8s] I don't know about technically."

Trespassing means you’re on someone’s property without permission. Even if you didn’t mean to, pulling into a private driveway or yard can count as trespassing.

Term

Crimson Metallic

"[583.6s] Get it in a color if you want to see more details. [585.5s] There's two new colors this year. [586.5s] You can get something called Crimson Metallic and something called Nitro Yellow Metallic."

Crimson Metallic is a specific paint color option. “Metallic” usually means the paint has tiny reflective particles, so it can look brighter and more dynamic in the sun.

Term

Apex Red

"[614.1s] So the Crimson Metallic Nitro Yellow are gone to replaced by White Sands and Apex Red. [620.5s] There aren't really any other differences."

Apex Red is another paint color option. They’re saying the Trax’s available colors changed, and Apex Red is one of the new ones.

Term

White Sands

"[614.1s] So the Crimson Metallic Nitro Yellow are gone to replaced by White Sands and Apex Red. [620.5s] There aren't really any other differences."

White Sands is the name of a paint color option. It’s basically GM’s way of naming a particular white shade you can order on the car.

Concept

infotainment screen

"you get a eight inch infotainment screen, but there's not a lot going on there. ... The, there's an 11 inch infotainment screen on higher trim levels."

The infotainment screen is the big display in the dashboard. It’s where you control things like music and settings, and sometimes navigation—depending on the car and trim.

Term

Apple CarPlay

"Pretty much everything you're going to do is going to come from your phone. So you're going to be using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay."

Apple CarPlay connects your iPhone to the car so you can use apps on the dashboard screen. It’s especially useful for navigation and music.

Term

Android Auto

"Pretty much everything you're going to do is going to come from your phone. So you're going to be using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay."

Android Auto lets you connect your Android phone to the car and use certain apps on the car’s screen. It’s a way to get navigation and music without using the car’s built-in system.

Term

analog gauges

"The analog gauges are a nice throwback. It's actually fine. I'm totally into it."

Analog gauges are the classic round dials you can read at a glance. They’re different from digital screens and can feel more traditional.

Concept

trim levels

"You can get a much larger eight inch infotainment cluster on higher trim levels if you want."

Trim levels are different versions of the same model that come with varying equipment and features. The speaker uses trim levels to explain how screen size and interior content change depending on how much you pay.

Concept

cost cutting

"But again, you will see where the cost cutting went in. And that is the interior of the vehicle,"

Cost cutting means the manufacturer saved money somewhere in the design. In this case, the speaker is saying you can tell from the interior materials and how they look/feel.

Term

heat vents

"people riding in the back didn't have any complaints. There's no heat vents back there as far as I know. That's not great."

Heat vents are the openings that blow warm air into the cabin. They’re saying the rear passengers may not have their own vents, which can make it harder to stay comfortable.

Term

infotainment system

"...how the Equinox moved the lighting controls to the infotainment system? Yes. So that's not the case in the..."

The infotainment system is the car’s main screen for things like music and settings. If controls are moved there, you have to use the screen instead of simple buttons.

Term

wireless charging pad

"is a wireless charging pad, which my vehicle didn't. You have to buy it, or maybe it did."

A wireless charging pad charges your phone without plugging in a cable. Some cars include it, and some don’t, depending on the version.

Term

cup holders

"you'll see other automakers, they'll start talking about specific sizes for cups... I think that there's some automakers that designed the cup holders"

Cup holders are the built-in holders for drinks in the car. Some car makers design them to fit popular cup sizes so your drink sits securely.

Term

spill containment area

"it is not a cup holder, it's basically a spill containment area. Everything I have is that big, Sammy."

This is a practical way of describing a cup holder that doesn’t actually secure a smaller container. If the holder is too large, the drink can move and the design’s benefit becomes minimizing mess rather than preventing movement.

Term

CVT

"Sometimes you get in these little crossovers and they're super buzzy. It's like a CVT, it's buzzy, it's annoying, and you really feel like it's straining all the time looking at you Honda HRV."

CVT means a transmission that can smoothly change ratios without fixed gears. Some CVTs can make the engine sound buzzy, especially when you accelerate.

Term

137 horsepower

"It's got 137. ... 137 horsepower. That sounds so European."

Horsepower is a number that tells you how much power the engine makes. They’re discussing whether 137 is good for a small crossover like this.

Term

throttle hang

"[1295.7s] It sounds like a vacuum when you're on the throttle heavy. [1298.0s] There is some throttle hang when you get off. [1301.4s] Other than that, I mean, yeah, you got to plan your passes."

“Throttle hang” is when the engine’s response lags after you lift off the accelerator—often due to how the transmission and engine control manage airflow and boost. It can make the car feel like it’s not immediately transitioning between acceleration and deceleration.

Term

front-wheel-drive

"And it's important to point out that this is a front-wheel-drive crossover, not a normal-wheel-drive one, too. Oh, man."

Front-wheel-drive means the front wheels do the work of moving the car. In bad weather, that can help the car feel more stable because the front tires are the ones getting traction.

Term

liters per 100 kilometers

"To translate that into Canadian, I saw 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers. Wow."

In Canada, fuel use is often measured as liters used for every 100 kilometers. Less fuel per 100 km means the car is more efficient.

Concept

fuel economy ratings (city vs highway)

"The official city rating is 8.5, and the highway rating is 7.6. Holy moly."

Car fuel economy is usually rated separately for city driving and highway driving. Those numbers come from tests, and your real mileage can be better or worse depending on how you drive and conditions.

Term

winter tires

"You mentioned its front-wheel-drive. That wasn't an issue for me because it had winter tires on it. We had a bit of a blizzard on one day when I had the vehicle."

Winter tires are designed with softer rubber compounds and tread patterns that grip better in cold temperatures, snow, and slush. They can significantly improve traction for a front-wheel-drive vehicle during blizzards and muddy conditions.

Concept

all-wheel-drive

"It's hard to think of a time when you absolutely have to have all-wheel-drive. I'm sure you might encounter that one or two times a year, and if you're in the tracks, you'll probably be frustrated by that."

All-wheel-drive means the car can push with all four wheels instead of just the front or rear. It helps when roads are slippery, but it can make the car cost more and sometimes use more fuel.

Concept

Honest Angle

"Scotto would talk about this thing called the Honest Angle which was an approach that he tried to take when he was putting together the Jim Khanna videos and that was to put the viewers in the driver's seat"

“Honest Angle” sounds like a storytelling style. The goal is to make you feel like you’re actually driving, not just watching from the outside.

Car

1983 Dodge Monaco

"We talked about a couple of things like his first car which was a 1983 Dodge Monaco that was in the family"

The 1983 Dodge Monaco was a big American sedan from the early ’80s. It’s being mentioned as the guest’s first car, which helps explain how he got into cars before his later Z ownership.

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