Trax blends small car agility with the utility of an SUV. It's Chevrolet's seventh small vehicle launch in less than four years.

With a new wave of trucks and full-size sport utility vehicles now its showrooms, Chevrolet is battling perceptions that its the flow from its product pipeline is slowing to a trickle.

As it’s doing with the midsized Colorado pick up truck, Chevy is pushing into a new segment with the introduction of a new compact utility vehicle the Chevrolet Trax, which is slated to reach Chevrolet showrooms early next year.

GM has already introduced a version of the Trax in China and the crossover is scheduled to enter the booming compact utility vehicle market, which is rapidly overtaking midsized sedan segment as the largest in the U.S. Additionally, compact utility sales also produce larger profits for carmakers than compact and midsized cars, experts note.

The Trax starts at $20,995, which includes the destination charges but excludes taxes and sales fees, and it will be able to double as a Wi-Fi hot spot with its built in 4G LTE capability.

The 2015 Trax is Chevy's entry into the hot-selling compact crossover market.

The Trax will offer compact-car maneuverability with SUV style, space and versatility. It comes equipped with a standard 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine providing an EPA estimated 26 city and 34 highway mpg.

Other equipment includes 10 air bags, MyLink infotainment with a seven-inch touch screen, rearview camera, remote keyless entry and a 60/40-split fold-flat rear seat and fold-down front passenger seat offering more than 48 cubic feet of cargo space, according to GM’s press materials.

For $1,500 extra, the Trax is available in all-wheel-drive on all trim. Trax will also come with Siri Eyes Free connectivity for compatible iPhone users.

“Trax is positioned to be a strong competitor in the emerging small-SUV market, which is expected to grow more than 80% in the next few years,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of car marketing.

GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra said one of her objectives is to insure the product pipeline remains full.

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“Our strategic plan is a pathway to earn customers for life and create significant shareholder value in the process,” she said. “Every chance to connect with customers is an opportunity to build a stronger relationship.”

A version of the Trax is already on sale in China.

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In 2015, about 27% of GM’s global sales volume is expected to come from products new or refreshed within 18 months. That figure is expected to rise to 38% in 2016 and 2017, and reach 47% in 2019, Barra added.

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Mark Reuss, GM’s head of global product development, said that with the next several months GM plans to introduce new versions of key vehicles such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Equinox as part of its effort to keep the Chevy lineup current.

In addition, GM has also been dropping broad hints about the next generation of the Chevrolet Camaro, which will be built on a rear-wheel-drive platform and features a design that capture the styling of the Chevy muscle cars of the early 1970s, which Barra has said helped draw her into the car business.