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

The Chevrolet Trax has come a good distance for the reason that 1st era, however now with it’s extra aggressive seems to be and bigger street presence, the Trax has joined the rising pattern of manufacturers producing greater subcompact crossovers, that fairly frankly have gotten inexpensive household pleasant autos that provide a plethora of consolation and comfort options not beforehand seen on this section 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 consumers within the worth vary under $30k. So let’s see how the 2024 Trax stacks up towards a worthy foe on this section.

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 automated transmission. Subcompacts have by no means been recognized to be probably the most partaking nor the quickest, however producers are trying to vary all of that by at the least 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 actually not going to get pushed again in your seat throughout heavy accelerations, nonetheless as a result of you’ve got a turbo and conventional automated, you gained’t expertise the fixed droning like we hear in rivals when coming 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 usually provided on this market.

What caught us unexpectedly 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 actually 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 will not be efficiency oriented the suspension isn’t all that inflexible. Nonetheless this crossover does simply sufficient to not lull you to sleep, and with an open thoughts, you might 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. Beneath 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 move slower drivers on the freeway, and the CVT hammers dwelling the identical faults that plague autos 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 unbiased rear suspension improves experience high quality and does present some stage of cushioning when going over uneven pavement.

The HR-V has at all times been chosen for it’s practicality and gas effectivity above the whole lot else, and whereas Honda has made nice strides in altering the notion surrounding this crossover, performance-wise it will be higher served with a stronger powertrain, whether or not meaning dropping in a turbo or perhaps providing a hybrid variant very like the remainder of the lineup.

Options

Within the subcompact crossover section you gained’t be receiving all of the bells and whistles, as many consolation options are sometimes reserved for bigger autos in model’s lineups, however you might 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 case 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 satirically price round $25k making this comparability extra correct. Nonetheless there are some distinct variations in case you go for the highest trims from each autos 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 era, you’ll have some facilities and trendy tech that matches it’s mid to excessive $20k worth level. Whereas not geared up on the Sport, the HR-V provides you twin zone local weather management, heated leather-based trimmed seats, with the driving force’s aspect being energy adjustable, a 9 inch touchscreen, which is barely accessible 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 wish to keep strict along with your price range, the Sport is a good choice, because the heated fabric seats supply a great quantity of assist 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 an aesthetic and clear look.

The Trax however is at it’s finest for the 2RS and Activ, as Chevy spared no expense to provide driver’s a tech dominated cabin. In contrast to the HR-V you’ll have a full digital instrument show that’s custimizable and showcases a variety of knowledge. You’ll even have an 11 inch touchscreen that actually isn’t too totally different from Honda’s person interface by way of what it gives when it pertains to options. Identical to the HR-V you’ll have wi-fi apple CarPlay and android auto compatibility with a wi-fi telephone charging pad being accessible. Nonetheless 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 are 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 more durable contact plastics on the door panels and dashboard, nonetheless that will be anticipated for a automobile priced beneath $30k. All-in-all, each crossover share many similarities by way of what they provide, and finally it should 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 change into 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 right this moment, 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. Much 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 section, and due to that they’re additionally very sensible, to some extent the place you might not want to purchase a costlier 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 similar, however extra importantly outclass the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30, making Chevy and Honda household pleasant options.

Now, a possible deciding issue is that the Trax at the moment doesn’t supply AWD as an choice, which may steer patrons in a unique path in the event that they really feel extra snug driving a crossover with one thing aside from FWD, and that’s the place the HR-V slots into place, but it surely ought to be price mentioning that to go for AWD you’ll be paying a further $1500. Lastly for off-road functionality, each the Trax and HR-V could have simply over 7 inches of floor clearance, but it surely’s extremely unlikely you’ll be encountering terrain apart from 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 just some years in the past. They’re now not econoboxes, and as an alternative they’re autos of substance that provide an array of options to make them nice values available on the market right this moment. If efficiency and know-how is what you’re on the lookout for, we’d lean in direction of the Trax, nonetheless the HR-V does have a greater inside, particularly in case you determine to buy an EX-L with the leather-based seats and 9 inch touchscreen. After all 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 all in favour of discovering out extra concerning the Chevy Trax or Honda HR-V try our full critiques!