Chevrolet Trax V. Honda HR-V - A Comparison

The 2024 Trax has been so thoroughly redesigned that it has essentially no resemblance to its predecessor. Instead, it fully adopts Chevrolet’s current design language, channeling the Camaro most of all. Overall, the new model is stylish inside and out and provides a solid package of standard and available features. Krusen Motors is pleased to tell you that it even won Cars.com’s 2024 Best Car of the Year award. The new Trax’s elevated status prompted Edmunds.com to compare it with the category sales leader, the Honda HR-V.

The HR-V which stands for Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle if you were wondering, received its own 2nd generation (at least in the U.S.) redesign which also appears completely different from its predecessor. Both models are in the sub-compact crossover category, but the HR-V’s starting MSRP at $24,600 is a hefty $4,200 over the Trax’s $20,400 starting price. Edmunds set out to determine if a 20% higher cost can be justified.

Drivetrain

The Trax engine is small but produces plenty of torque for its size. The turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-3 produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of peak torque, which is at an easily accessible 2,500 rpm. The Trax also benefits from a 6-speed automatic that avoids the drone and nonintuitive behavior of the continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in the HR-V and many other competitors.

The 2nd generation HR-V engine grew from 1.5 to 2.0 liters in its redesign but remains naturally aspirated. Thus, the inline-4 engine’s numbers are almost a reverse of the Trax with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque; the latter of which occurs at 4,500 rpm. Regarding acceleration, the Edmunds testing shows the Trax having the advantage with a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 9.1 seconds, compared to over 10 seconds for the HR-V.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on the HR-V, with all-wheel drive (AWD) being an option for all grades. By contrast, all Trax models have FWD. Those desiring AWD should look at the similarly sized and powered Chevrolet Trailblazer instead. The FWD HR-V and Trax share an EPA estimate of 32 mpg on the highway. The Trax city rating of 28 is higher than HR-V’s 26, leading to a higher combined figure of 30 for the Trax versus 28 for the HR-V. 

Ride and Handling

Edmunds thought well of both models' ride and handling, describing them as adequately smoothing out bumps and having responsive and predictable steering. The Trax was judged to have notably more comfortable seats, while the Honda was considered quieter. This trade-off likely works in the Trax’s favor, as you can easily turn up the audio system but can find it challenging to improve seat comfort.

Cabin and Cargo Space

The interior space is very similar. The Trax benefits from two more inches of wheelbase, which leads to an additional inch of rear legroom. Front headroom and legroom are effectively identical. The Trax has an extra inch of shoulder room in the front, while the HR-V has an additional inch in the rear. Cargo space dimensions present similar trade-offs, with the Trax having a class-leading 25.6 cubic feet behind the 2nd-row seat compared to 24.4 for the HR-V. With the seats down, the HR-V’s 55.1 cubic feet exceeds the 54.1 of the Trax. 

Edmunds considers both models to have class-leading interior designs, describing both as seeming to come from a more expensive category. The Trax has a base touchscreen size of 8 inches, growing to 11 when stepping above the base model. The HR-V’s screen is smaller all around, starting with a 7-inch screen upgrading to a 9-inch screen on higher grades. The Trax provides standard wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the model line to keep you from forgetting to disconnect and take your phone whenever you exit. The HR-V has wired smartphone compatibility, saving the wireless benefit for the top model.

Conclusion

Edmund.com sums up their comparison this way: “The Chevy Trax is a compelling small crossover that goes big on interior quality, space, and value. Honda’s HR-V does little wrong, but it’s been upstaged in this contest. The Trax is the better buy.”

If you are in the market for a small, versatile, and stylish SUV, the Trax deserves your attention, and you can discover more about the Trax at Krusen Motorsin Mount Pleasant.