Chevrolet's new compact crossover: the 2015 Trax LS (pictures)

The 2015 Chevrolet Trax has undergone a dramatic transformation from concept to production car reality.

The concept was an ultra compact crossover with rugged plastic trim in cute, round headlamps.

The 2015 production model has a more grown up look that is somewhere between the Sonic hatchback and Equinox SUV.

Personally, I think the look is a bit safe and generic, but at least it's not an unattractive little crossover.

One thing that I like about the design is that the Trax appears more compact than it actually is.

Available with all-wheel drive, our base model Trax arrived in a still city-friendly front-wheel drive configuration.

Under the little Trax's hood is an even more compact 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that spins to the tune of 138 horsepower.

The Trax's 148 available pound-feet of torque isn't going to overwhelm, but the engine feels surprisingly supple and powerful.

The only gearbox that you'll find in the options list is a six-speed automatic.

A rear camera is standard equipment for the 2015 Trax. The rear video feed features static guide lines.

The Trax comes standard with GM's OnStar telematics service with available 4G LTE connectivity and in-car Wi-Fi hotspotting.

Like another mobile blue box, our Brilliant Blue Metallic Chevy Trax proved to be bigger on the inside than its compact exterior implied.

The rear hatch pops open to reveal 18.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row of seats.

The second row is fairly spacious with reasonable knee room and plenty of headroom.

The seat bottoms flip forward, making room for the seatbacks to fold flat.

All in, the Trax boasts a claimed 48.4 cubic feet of space with its rear seats folded flat.

That's plenty of room for moving a few kegs, a mini fridge, or flat-packed Swedish furniture.

The Trax's cabin and amenities feel like a good value for this price.

The materials, fit, and finish of the cabin seems high quality... for an approximately $20,000 car. The Trax doesn't surpass our expectations for this class, but that's okay.

One area where Chevrolet's offerings stand out is the unique approach to dashboard tech.

Chevy's MyLink infotainment system is standard and boasts a full loadout of digital audio including Bluetooth, USB, and a selection of smartphone app integrations.

However, this version of MyLink isn't available with onboard navigation. For turn-by-turn directions, drivers must install the BringGo app on their smartphone and mirror its interface on the dashboard.

The Trax is also among the first generation of vehicles to totally ditch physical media. There's no CD slot to be found.

I'm generally a fan of Chevrolet's decentralized, smartphone centric approach to tech, but I'd like to see some Android Auto or Apple CarPlay love for the next generation of its infotainment.

The six-speed automatic transmission features a manual shift mode that is activated with a thumb rocker switch. However, performance isn't really the point of this vehicle.

Steering wheel controls are well sorted and intuitively accessed. Voice command for hands-free calling and media selection are standard parts of the MyLink system.

Don't expect much in the way of active driver aid tech for the 2015 Trax. The rear camera, stability control, and about 10 airbags work together to keep the passengers safe, but there is no blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, or the like.

Around town, the 1.4-liter engine's good low end torque makes the Trax feel lively and responsive. 0-60 times, however, will likely suffer due to low peak horsepower.

The relatively compact footprint helps the Trax fit in on cramped urban streets.

The Trax borrows its 'motorcycle-inspired' instrument cluster from the Sonic and Spark compact hatchbacks.

The cluster features a large tachometer — which is fairly useless in a crossover that is only available with an automatic — and a digital speedometer and information display.

The digital instruments are clearly visible at night.

The liquid crystal display also retains a high level of readability in harsh, direct sunlight.

Chevrolet and General Motors' OnStar services are standard on the 2015 Trax and available as long as the driver maintains a subscription.

The 2015 Chevrolet Trax presents itself as a good value for the dollar at its $20,120 starting price in the US.

Driving dynamics and head turning good looks aren't its strong points, but the 2015 Chevrolet Trax offers forward-thinking tech, reasonable efficiency and excellent space in a compact, city friendly crossover.