On the right Trax with Miss Vodka & Mr. Dimitri

Mom, the driver” — that is how my doggies would describe me, if they could speak.

It was one of those days where the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the roads were calling; so, too, were Dimitri the Schnauzer and Vodka the Bichon.

We had the Chevrolet Trax for the weekend and a drive out of town was the plan.

When I travel with Vodka and Dimitri I don’t make plans about where we are going — just a plan to get into the car, find a place where they can run, preferably one that is not too near so I can enjoy the drive.

The Chervrolet Trax is equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. And I easily fell in love with its sporty design, convenient features and digital connectivity.

Before we headed out I took to the cockpit to check out what it felt like to be there. Thanks to its leather-covered steering wheel with audio controls, sun visor with illumination, and tire-pressure monitoring system, I knew that this drive was going to be fun because I would easily know how the Trax was doing simply by keeping an eye on the dashboard.

Of course, Chevrolet’s Mylink infotainment system incorporates technology for your comfort and convenience. The seven-inch colored touchscreen with Bluetooth wireless technology makes phone calls, connecting to music and enjoying digital connectivity easy via the Siri Eyes Free voice command.

Let’s do this

I put Vodka and Dimitri into their carriers and folded the backseats down so that I could see (from the rear-view mirror) and hear them if they might need anything as I drove.

For this sunny Sunday I had chosen to take my little doggies to Lipa City in Batangas. My younger brother would be there and he was more than happy to get a day with Dimitri and Vodka.

We left Pasig at about 9 a.m. The drive from C5 to SLEX was easy and breezy as there were just a few cars on the road that Sunday morning. The doggies had fallen asleep so it was all quiet in the back.

The silence allowed me to concentrate on the road and to feel just how well the Trax handled.

For starters, the Chevy Trax demonstrates athletic agility and movement. I also liked the view I had of the road ahead because of the elevated visibility in this SUV.

With a first-in-its-class 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, the Trax was steady and in good control all throughout the drive down SLEX. I often had to glance at the speedometer to make sure that I was staying within the speed limit. In the Trax it is easy to put the pedal to the metal because it is so easy to maneuver, and the feel of control I had over this SUV was just perfect.

For me, it is really important to feel that we control the vehicle we are driving — and that is exactly how I felt behind the wheel of the Trax.

I enjoyed the comfort of the drive because the Trax offered a really good ride. It was never hard to handle, making it Sunday driving at its best. I also liked how well the Trax allowed me to make quick lane switches (because of super slow-moving vehicles on SLEX) and how driving over potholes was never a jarring experience.

Time to stop

We arrived in Lipa, Batangas, at about 11 a.m. The doggies were getting restless, as they knew we were about to make a stop.

I got them down from their carriers and my brother was waiting for us with bowls filled with cool water and a few snacks for the doggies. For me, there were freshly baked cookies.

Taking trips out town to meet up with my brother is always a joy because in the place where he lives there is lots of open space where the dogs can run off-leash and because my brother is such a good baker — he always has the best cookies ready for me.

My brother took the dogs for a walk as I sat under the shade of a tree.

I just had to give the Chevrolet Trax’s interiors a second look. Of course, I was amazed at how much space there is in this SUV. And, although the Trax is not a big SUV there is enough space so you would never feel cramped.

The Chevrolet Trax’s spacious interior can seat up to five adults. It is flexible for various cargo-loading requirements with its flat-folding rear seat, a second row 60/40 split, and a fold-flat front passenger seat.

Dogs’ day out

My brother and I spent the rest of the afternoon sharing stories about life and its many twists and turns. We walked the dogs as we talked. I don’t get to see my brother as often as I would like, so when we do see each other there is so much to talk about. The doggies were silent witnesses to the many stories I shared with my brother that afternoon.

It was getting late and time to head back home.

As I drove back that afternoon, I was grateful for the time I had away from the often too-noisy-for-me Metro Manila.

I also had a blast behind the wheel of the Trax because it is a well-packaged vehicle that offers good interior room, the option of all-wheel drive, great visibility and makes driving easy and fun. 

I wish all Sundays were like this.