The 2025 Trax or 2025 Subaru Crosstrek: Which Is Right for You?

Drivers have a lot of options today when looking for a new car, especially if they’re searching for an economical and enjoyable SUV. Although the smallest of their ilk, subcompact SUVs are larger and stand taller than sedans, making them easier to fill with passengers or cargo. But there are so many subcompact SUV options on the market today, so how does someone decide exactly which one to buy?

Both the Chevy Trax and Subaru Crosstrek are popular models in the subcompact SUV class, but why would someone choose the Trax over the Crosstrek? While neither is a bad choice by any means, there are quite a few compelling reasons why, in comparing the 2025 Chevy Trax vs 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, a driver would prefer the former.

Both models received significant updates and upgrades for the 2024 model year, so both are still fresh and relevant. Let’s take a look at 2025’s iterations of the Trax and Crosstrek side by side to determine which is best for your individual needs.

For Performance in the City

Subaru has a particular niche within the automotive community. It is known for building racing or off-roading vehicles with very little in between. Chevrolet, on the other hand, is capable of doing a little bit of everything. You can find racing Chevys, off-roading Chevys, and in the case of the 2025 Trax, you can find a Chevy that is ideal for daily commutes, the occasional road trip, and a whole lot of basic enjoyment.

The 2025 Chevy Trax is the more city-friendly vehicle in this comparison for several reasons. First, there’s the engineering. Powered by a 137-hp 1.2L Turbo I-3 engine, the Trax is offered exclusively as a front-wheel-drive model. Chevy has added the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control to provide the Trax with a solid steering feel and responsive reactions, making it ideal for handling daily driving responsibilities amid poor driving conditions.

Even better, the 2025 Trax sports an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, which is an ideal range for those who are hoping not to sacrifice fuel economy in the purchase of an SUV. The 2025 Crosstrek, on the other hand, is exclusively offered with full-time all-wheel drive and a four-wheel independent raised suspension, prioritizing driving in dirt, mud, and even deep snow. You will probably not encounter these situations during your daily commute.

The base 2025 Crosstrek has a similar but slightly worse fuel economy than the 2025 Trax, with 29 MPG combined versus the Trax’s 30 MPG combined. The Crosstrek has a much larger base engine and an even larger one that comes standard on higher trims, but neither uses a turbocharger to increase fuel efficiency, thus leading the Trax to score better fuel economy figures.

What Comes Standard on Each

The introductory version of the 2025 Trax is the LS trim, while the 2025 Crosstrek starts things off with the Base trim. Both include a similar array of standard safety and driver assistance technology, including forward collision mitigation and lane-keeping assistance. Inside the cabin, however, things are less similar. Not only does the Trax offer more cargo space with the rear seats occupied (at 25.6 cu.ft. compared to the Crosstrek’s 19.9 cu.ft.), but it comes with far more amenities.

All 2025 Chevy Trax models are equipped with an eight-inch color touchscreen that serves as the interface for the infotainment system, along with a 3.5-inch digital driver display placed conveniently behind the steering wheel. The infotainment system, which is capable of hosting a Wi-Fi hotspot, supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and can provide Bluetooth audio streaming for up to two devices at the same time.

Meanwhile, every 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with an analog speedometer and tachometer, though there is a small LCD display for other vehicle information and alerts. The standard infotainment screen measures seven inches and allows connectivity with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto—only, it doesn’t offer wireless connectivity to your phones, nor is there a Wi-Fi hotspot consideration.

Overall Value Between the Two

The Trax and the Crosstrek are just different enough that it’s hard to truly say which is the better value. The Crosstrek offers plenty of specialized off-road technology and equipment that might truly be valuable to drivers who spend a significant amount of time driving away from the pavement.

However, the Trax and the Crosstrek are dissimilar in price to accommodate this difference. While all 2025 Chevrolet Trax models cost between $20.5k and $24.5k, the cheapest 2025 Subaru Crosstrek trim starts above $26.5k, and the most expensive trim is north of $33k.

The 2025 Chevy Trax LS starts the lineup, followed by the 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV, each with an increasingly enjoyable suite of features. Stepping up to the 1RS adds remote start and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. The LT trim increases the touchscreen size to a bold and easy-to-read 11 inches, while upgrading the driver display to an eight-inch version and the audio system to a six-speaker version.

The top two trims are the 2RS and ACTIV. Inside, they’re similar, with heated, power-adjustable front seats, Evotex upholstery, and wrapped, heated steering wheels. The most significant differences are the RS model’s black and red exterior accents, compared to the body-color and black accents of the ACTIV.

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is also offered in five trims. Stepping up from the Base trim is the Premium, which adds features like keyless access, Wi-Fi capability, and a larger 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, which accompanies a six-speaker audio system. Bear in mind, however, that the Crosstrek Premium has a starting price well above that of any Trax trim.

If budget constraints are not a problem, the features expand across the Crosstrek lineup. The Sport adds heated front seats. The Limited trim is the only one with standard power-adjustable front seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system is only an option at this trim. And unless you truly require 9.3 inches of ground clearance, a 3,500-lb towing limit, skid plates, and a lower final drive ratio, the top-tier Crosstrek Wilderness may not be worth the price.

The higher price of the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is reasonable if you are interested in off-road driving or find yourself beyond the pavement frequently enough to need a mud-specific drive mode. However, the Chevy Trax offers more and better standard features at a lower price.

Our Verdict: Get the 2025 Chevy Trax

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is a very cool subcompact SUV. It’s tall, solid, and brave enough to go just about anywhere. However, not all drivers need a vehicle that does all that, nor do they want to spend extra money on features they don’t plan to use.

The 2025 Chevy Trax is a reliable, city-friendly SUV that can take you here and there without fuss. Not only does it offer an impressive array of standard tech, but climbing up the trims unlocks features that aren’t available on a Subaru Crosstrek. For drivers who are interested in getting the most for their money, consider the 2025 Chevy Trax, which makes life simple while giving you more.