2024 Chevy Trax vs 2024 Honda HR-V

• 2024 Chevy Trax

  

  Starting at

  $20,400^[a]

  2024 Honda HR-V

  

  Starting at

  $24,100

  162	Torque (lb-ft)	138
  25.6	Rear Cargo (cu.ft.)	24.4
  28/32	Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG)	26/32

  When you look for a compact crossover SUV, are you looking for something from a foreign or domestic brand? People have their preferences, and while there isn’t a right or wrong choice, some vehicles simply pass muster while others don’t quite measure up. Take the 2024 Chevy Trax vs 2024 Honda HR-V: both are popular crossovers with plenty of room for the family and a cargo area that can be packed with everything from groceries to sports equipment. There are definitely differences, though—differences that can make or break your SUV experience.

  So, what do you do when you see a compact crossover you like? Do you rate it against other SUVs, talk with friends and coworkers about their SUVs, or take a chance on a vehicle because you just want to get the car-buying process out of the way? Do you listen to commercials, see what deals are at your local dealerships, or gauge what you can get from trading in your vehicle? There are easier ways to decide which vehicle you want to drive next, such as beseeching experts like us!

• Trims

  

  While the amount of trim levels doesn’t correlate to how good a vehicle is, there is something to be said for giving drivers more options. You may like a vehicle but want to know which features come standard and if there are additional features you might be interested in. If you have limited choices, you may not feel like you’ll get your money’s worth; why would you drive something if you didn’t experience a “wow!” when you first gave it a spin?

  The 2024 Chevy Trax has five trim levels. From the level to the highest, they are the LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV. There’s a trim level for drivers who enjoy all the luxury features, another for those who enjoy a sporty experience, and another for those who want some of the luxury features but want to keep their budget streamlined. No matter which kind of driver you are, the 2024 Chevy Trax has a trim level for you, with many of its best features standard across all trim levels.

  The Honda HR-V, on the other hand, has a limited number of trim levels—three, to be exact. They are the LX, Sport, and EX-L, and their differences are quite apparent due to the narrower choice options. You can go with the base trim level, but you won’t get very many exciting features. If you enjoy a sporty feel, you can go with the HR-V Sport, but it still doesn’t have a lot of premium features; for that, you’ll have to go with the EX-L or additional packages, which can get pricey.

  If you want an affordable vehicle with plenty of features, then you’ll want to go with a 2024 Chevy Trax, especially if you’re interested in any sort of customization.

• Interior

  

  A vehicle's interior is of particular importance since this is where you’ll spend all your time. You’ll want comfort and convenience features, tech and safety features, and you might even spring for additional features, particularly if you find yourself on the road a lot for work or traveling.

  The 2024 Chevy Trax comes standard with a 12-volt power outlet (perfect for charging your laptop, tablet, or phone), a 60/40 split-folding rear seat (for those times when you need a bit of extra room for something like a ladder), active noise cancellation, and the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which includes IntelliBeam auto high beams, a Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Other standard features are front carpeted floor mats, a front center console with an armrest, and an HD Rear Vision Camera.

  Honda’s HR-V has a center console with an armrest and storage compartment, a passenger-side seatback pocket, floor mats, map lights, cupholders, and sliding sun visors, but there aren’t many more features that come standard across the three trim levels. If you want things like power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, or ambient LED lighting, you’ll have to go with a higher trim—usually the highest.

  It can be disappointing to see how few features are available on the lower trim levels, particularly when there are so many helpful features that would be a comfort to drivers and passengers alike. However, the Trax is a great example of why choices are so important for drivers.

• Capabilities

  

  This is the most glaring difference between the 2024 Chevy Trax and the 2024 Honda HR-V. If you’ve been wanting a compact SUV that can still tow something small, the only choice you have is the 2024 Chevy Trax—at least in this comparison. The Trax is rated to tow 1,263 lbs, whereas Honda has recommended you not tow anything with the HR-V.

  While compact SUVs are small, that doesn’t mean they don’t have the power to haul or tow anything. The Trax can tow light and ultra-light trailers, small boats, mountain bikes, kayaks, canoes, ATVs, or snowmobiles, which is plenty for people who want to experience the great outdoors or just need to haul a few items from Point A to Point B.

  If you are looking for something that can haul medium or large loads regularly, of course, you’ll need to look at a midsize or full-size SUV—something large enough to tow campers, larger trailers, and the like. However, if you’re looking for a family-style vehicle or work vehicle and you might need to move a few boxes here and there, then a compact crossover is the perfect choice for you. You don’t need a lot of equipment to tow or haul—and with as much space as the Trax has, you may not even need to tow at all; simply fold down the second row and get to work!

  That being said, there are times when the extra space just isn’t enough. If you drive a Honda HR-V, you’ll have to consider other towing options like a U-Haul, a friend’s truck or van, or hiring a moving service. Do you really want all that hassle, or do you want a simple solution that you can rely on time and again? It’s never a bad idea to have a little bit of towing capacity, particularly if you live in an area that is worthy of exploration. Put your 2024 Trax to good use and take your partner or the kids on a kayaking or canoe trip, or grab a few friends and find a good trail to bike on.

• Performance

  

  When people decide that they want something nearly as powerful as—and with better gas mileage than—a midsize or full-size SUV, the compact SUV earns drivers' attention. With multiple powertrains available, drivers can pick and choose how efficient their system is and how that will affect their mileage.

  Chevy’s Trax gets an estimated 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway for 30 MPG combined—an excellent number for a non-hybrid vehicle. This is the case even if you go with the base trim level, which means you’ll spend more time on the road and less time filling your tank. This is important for those who work outside the home, have errands to run, and are busy scheduling their family’s activities; you need to be able to get places on time, which can’t happen if you’re constantly stopping to fill up the tank. Some smaller cars don’t even get a rating this high, so when you think about your next vehicle, think about the Trax and how little time you’ll be spending at the gas station.

  The Honda HR-V, on the other hand, has fuel economy numbers that ebb and flow depending on if you choose two- or all-wheel drive. If you elect to get the CVT (continuously variable transmission) with AWD, you’ll get 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway for 30 MPG combined. If you go with the 2WD option, you’ll get 25 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway for 27 MPG combined. If you live in the city and don’t often find yourself on the highway, the HR-V will look less appealing.

The 2024 Chevy Trax: An Exceptional Compact Crossover