2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Honda HR-V – Boston Auto Weblog

The Chevrolet Trax has come a good distance for the reason that 1st technology, however now with it’s extra aggressive appears and bigger street presence, the Trax has joined the rising pattern of manufacturers producing greater subcompact crossovers, that fairly frankly have gotten reasonably priced household pleasant automobiles that supply a plethora of consolation and comfort options not beforehand seen on this phase earlier than. One rival that involves thoughts is the brand new Honda HR-V that additionally went by a little bit of a progress spurt and switched platforms to higher meet the calls for of automobile buyers within the worth vary under $30k. So let’s see how the 2024 Trax stacks up towards a worthy foe on this phase.

Efficiency

Beginning off with the Trax, Chevrolet dropped in a 1.2L turbocharged 3 cylinder engine that produces 137 hp and 162 lb ft of torque, however the important thing takeaway right here is that this powertrain is paired with a 6 pace computerized transmission. Subcompacts have by no means been recognized to be essentially the most partaking nor the quickest, however producers are trying to vary all of that by no less than giving house owners the notion of high quality and total enjoyment behind the wheel. With a 0-60 time of round 9 seconds, the Trax isn’t a barnstormer and also you’re definitely not going to get pushed again in your seat throughout heavy accelerations, nevertheless as a result of you’ve gotten a turbo and conventional computerized, you received’t expertise the fixed droning like we hear in rivals when getting into highways, and that’s additional compounded by the three cylinder engine that’s comparatively quiet in comparison with most naturally aspirated 4 cylinders which are sometimes provided on this market.

What caught us without warning was the dealing with and steering enter, as there was a faint feeling of weight when approaching sharper corners on backroads, which isn’t one thing you’d anticipate for a crossover priced at $25k. As a result of the Trax is basically a lifted hatchback, it’s car-like onroad demeanor hides the often lackluster dealing with that subcompacts are recognized for and for the reason that Trax just isn’t efficiency oriented the suspension isn’t all that inflexible. Nevertheless this crossover does simply sufficient to not lull you to sleep, and with an open thoughts, you would end up having fun with your weekly commutes with the Trax.

The Honda HR-V however, has many strengths, however the driving dynamics aren’t one in every of them. Below the hood is a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine that produces 158 hp and 138 lb ft of torque which is paired with a CVT. The important thing variations between these two crossovers boil right down to the transmission and the discrepancy in lb ft of torque for the HR-V, as this subcompact gasps for air when attempting to go slower drivers on the freeway, and the CVT hammers house the identical faults that plague automobiles on this worth vary. But even with it’s shortcomings for straightline pace, patrons will love the extra inflexible suspension that underpins the HR-V, because the impartial rear suspension improves trip high quality and does present some stage of cushioning when going over uneven pavement.

The HR-V has all the time been chosen for it’s practicality and gasoline effectivity above every part else, and whereas Honda has made nice strides in altering the notion surrounding this crossover, performance-wise it might be higher served with a stronger powertrain, whether or not which means dropping in a turbo or perhaps providing a hybrid variant very similar to the remainder of the lineup.

Options

Within the subcompact crossover phase you received’t be receiving all of the bells and whistles, as many consolation options are sometimes reserved for bigger automobiles in model’s lineups, however you could be genuinely shocked to seek out out that the Honda HR-V and Chevy Trax gives an possession expertise which may catch you off-guard in the event you’ve bought vehicles or crossovers on this worth vary earlier than. The fashions we had featured and are proven all through this video is an HR-V Sport and Trax 2RS, which mockingly price round $25k making this comparability extra correct. Nevertheless there are some distinct variations in the event you go for the highest trims from each automobiles that you could be discover interesting.

First for the HR-V, the inside does supply some softer contact supplies to raise the driving expertise, however in comparison with final technology, you’ll have some facilities and trendy tech that matches it’s mid to excessive $20k worth level. Whereas not outfitted on the Sport, the HR-V provides you twin zone local weather management, heated leather-based trimmed seats, with the motive force’s facet being energy adjustable, a 9 inch touchscreen, which is just obtainable for the EX-L, wi-fi apple CarPlay and android auto compatibility, a wi-fi telephone charging pad, and a half digital half analogue gauge cluster. If tech options aren’t a prime precedence and also you need to keep strict along with your finances, the Sport is a good choice, because the heated material seats supply an excellent quantity of help and cushioning and the smaller head unit remains to be intuitive with the essential requirements. Extra importantly, the HR-V will get the identical dashboard from the redesigned Honda Civic, which does have a cultured and clear look.

The Trax however is at it’s finest for the 2RS and Activ, as Chevy spared no expense to present driver’s a tech dominated cabin. Not like the HR-V you should have a full digital instrument show that’s custimizable and showcases a variety of data. You’ll even have an 11 inch touchscreen that basically isn’t too completely different from Honda’s consumer interface by way of what it gives when it pertains to options. Similar to the HR-V you’ll have wi-fi apple CarPlay and android auto compatibility with a wi-fi telephone charging pad being obtainable. Nevertheless the Trax doesn’t supply twin zone local weather management, and whereas we do just like the sportier exterior design of the 2RS, choosing the Activ will make extra sense as heated seats and an influence adjustable driver’s seat makes you’re feeling you’re getting extra for $25k.

Consolation sensible, the leatherette upholstery is typical for a crossover on this market, however one key distinction is that there’s tougher contact plastics on the door panels and dashboard, nevertheless that may be anticipated for a automobile priced below $30k. All-in-all, each crossover share many similarities by way of what they provide, and in the end it is going to come right down to pricing as a prime trim EX-L for the HR-V will probably be creeping in direction of that’s 30 grand mark whereas the Trax hovers nearer to $26-$27k.

Functionality/Versatility

The place the Trax and HR-V each improved with their new generations was upsizing to grow to be nearly compact crossover-like, and that’s not solely obvious from the skin but in addition the interiors that we simply highlighted. Each subcompacts traveled comparable paths to the place they’re immediately, because the HR-V is 10 inches longer and two inches wider than it’s predecessor, making it bigger than the Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30. Just like the HR-V, for 2024, the Trax grows in size by 11 inches, and is 2 inches wider than the crossover it’s changing, making each subcompacts among the greater choices on this phase, and due to that they’re additionally very sensible, to a degree the place you could not want to purchase a dearer compact crossover.

For the cargo house, the HR-V is available in with 24.4 Cubic ft of room behind the 2nd row seats, and when these seats are folded that almost doubles dimension to 55 cubic ft. The Trax will supply 25.6 cubic ft initially when the 2nd row seats are up and 54 cubic ft when folded. From a practicality perspective, each a virtually equivalent, however extra importantly outclass the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30, making Chevy and Honda household pleasant alternate options.

Now, a possible deciding issue is that the Trax at present doesn’t supply AWD as an choice, which might steer patrons in a unique route in the event that they really feel extra snug driving a crossover with one thing apart from FWD, and that’s the place the HR-V slots into place, however it ought to be value mentioning that to go for AWD you’ll be paying an extra $1500. Lastly for off-road functionality, each the Trax and HR-V can have simply over 7 inches of floor clearance, however it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be encountering terrain in addition to pavement with both crossover.

Conclusion

All-in-all the Chevy Trax and Honda HR-V in 2023 are huge enhancements from the place each crossovers have been only a few years in the past. They’re now not econoboxes, and as an alternative they’re automobiles of substance that supply an array of options to make them nice values available on the market immediately. If efficiency and expertise is what you’re searching for, we’d lean in direction of the Trax, nevertheless the HR-V does have a greater inside, particularly in the event you resolve to buy an EX-L with the leather-based seats and 9 inch touchscreen. In fact it boils down to non-public choice, however we’d say the Trax is a extra interesting choice proper now in 2023.

If you happen to’re excited by discovering out extra concerning the Chevy Trax or Honda HR-V try our full critiques!