Starting at
Starting at
162 lb-ft | Torque | 138 lb-ft |
28/32 | MPG city/hwy | 26/32 |
11 in | Screen Size | 9 in |
If you take a look around you on the street, you may find that you’re surrounded by small SUVs. You may be wondering what draws so many drivers to these particular models and which brands are the best in the industry. Subcompact SUVs are ideal for everyday commuters and those who want a vehicle that’s easy to drive and fuel efficient. That’s why you see them confidently whisking their occupants away, whether they’re coasting down bustling city streets or wide-open highways.
Two favorites on the streets are the Chevy Trax, which is new and improved after its re-emergence onto the scene last year, as well as the Honda HR-V, which is a practical and capable option in Honda’s respected lineup. So, when it comes to the 2025 Chevy Trax vs 2025 Honda HR-V, which spunky traveler is better for your daily drive?
For its latest year on the road, the Trax offers an exceptional array of colors added to its exterior palette to re-invigorate the ride. It’s also able to take E85 fuel, which not only allows for better performance but it’s also cleaner and, thus, more beneficial for our environment. Unfortunately, the HR-V offers nothing new this year, aside from a hike in price, which makes it substantially more expensive than the Trax.
When you want to enjoy an unbeatable selection of excellent options, you’ll find it right here at McCluskey Chevrolet, and if you are wondering which small SUV would be perfect for you, let’s figure it out together. In the areas of performance, design, and innovation, see how these two models perform and which option is the better buy.
Subcompact SUVs are known to be top choices for daily commuters. They’re not only a breeze to handle, even through tight city streets, but they’re also undeniably fuel efficient, which allows you to keep more of your hard-earned money in your wallet and spend less time at the pump. That’s exactly what makes the 2025 Chevy Trax an outstanding pick.
Beneath its polished hood lies a 1.2L EcoTec turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine pushes forward with 137 hp and is able to get an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, making it a phenomenal pick for those who need to be able to extend the time between fill-ups and focus on making it into work on time.
The 2025 Honda HR-V is another fan favorite. Like the Trax, it is small and agile on the streets; however, it does showcase a slightly different powertrain setup that’s not for everyone. Underneath its hood lies a 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although the HR-V urges forward with a little more excitement, with 158 horses at the reins, the fact that it has a CVT is disappointing, as this type of transmission is known for its lackluster performance and boring driving dynamics. Despite this flaw, the HR-V does get good gas mileage, earning an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city, which is slightly less than the Trax, and 32 MPG on the highway.
Thanks to its six-speed automatic transmission, the Trax is a joy to drive, with ample acceleration and a peppy feel as it coasts around the twists and turns of the road. This is what sets the Trax apart from many of its competitors, seeing as most of the others in its segment are unfortunately stuck with CVTs. The Trax is small, which allows it to handle much like a sedan, making it easy to transition to an SUV if this is your first time driving one. With a responsive driving demeanor, accurate steering and braking, and an easy-to-maneuver stature, the Trax is an all-around winner for those who are concerned about the quality of their daily commute, especially those frequently taking on daunting traffic situations.
On the other end of the spectrum, the HR-V and its trusty CVT make it hard to enjoy the ride. Not only is the HR-V not as smooth on the road as the Trax, but it’s also a bit louder, which can take away from the overall calming ambiance on your way home after a hectic day at the office. Like the Trax, the HR-V handles much like a sedan, which makes sense since it is built upon the same platform as the popular Civic. All in all, the Trax is more refined, more efficient, and offers a better ride quality, which makes it a great pick for those who need a daily travel companion that they can count on.
As you step inside the 2025 Chevy Trax, you’ll be met by a modern, comfortable, and spacious cabin, which will put you at ease, regardless of the length of your journey. Choosing one of its top-level trims will allow you to take advantage of premium features, like a heated steering wheel, comfortable seating materials, and specialized badging, depending on the trim that intrigues you. Opting for its stylish 2RS grants you access to exciting features, like a heated flat-bottom steering wheel, red interior accents, and more sporty elements throughout. Even its base trim is loaded with cozy appointments to maximize the experience inside, like quality cloth seating, red interior accents, and active noise cancellation to create a serene ambiance on board.
You’ll quickly notice that the 2025 Honda HR-V offers a more practical experience on board, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It showcases a simplistic yet modern design that enhances comfort for all inside. Only three trims are available in the HR-V’s arsenal; if you’re looking for better-quality appointments, its top-tier EX-L delivers big, with leather-trimmed seats, a one-touch power moonroof, and heated front seats. Although the HR-V offers plenty of premium features in top-level trims, the price difference is staggering, with its EX-L starting at approximately $29k, whereas the top-level ACTIV trim in the Trax lineup starts at around $24k. This is quite a jump, especially since you’re able to get very similar features in the Trax ACTIV for far less than you’d pay for the HR-V EX-L.
Don’t let their small sizes fool you; the Trax and HR-V are perfectly capable of offering you the space you need for all of the items accompanying you on your journey. The Trax, which was redesigned for 2024 with a longer wheelbase, is able to offer more space than ever before, both for your passengers and your gear.
Providing 54.1 cu.ft. for your cargo, the Trax is able to take on everything from luggage to project materials for work to groceries and more. With a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, you’re able to accommodate even larger items effortlessly, making it easy to take it all on with the Trax in charge of your experience. The HR-V is similar in terms of cargo capacity, offering up to 55.1 cu.ft. in its cargo hold with its rear seats folded; however, the fact that the HR-V is more expensive for a very similar cabin experience as the Trax can be a deal breaker for many drivers looking to harness ultimate functionality for an economical price.
Technology plays a vital role in how we travel, and there’s no shortage of this inside the 2025 Chevy Trax. With a standard eight-inch or available 11-inch infotainment display, you’ll have access to all of the features you have to have during your time on the road. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an available wireless charging pad, bring unmatched convenience to your drive; also, an available built-in Wi-Fi hotspot helps you remain connected to your day from the highway. You’ll also find an eight-inch digital gauge display positioned behind the steering wheel in certain trims to provide you with all aspects of your drive so that you can remain in tune with your journey during every second you’re on the road.
The 2025 Honda HR-V doesn’t offer as large of touchscreens as you’ll find inside the Trax, with a nine-inch option being its biggest; a seven-inch display comes standard. You also won’t find standard wireless smartphone connectivity, as this can only be enjoyed with the larger touchscreen option, which is a bit of a disappointment. Like the Trax, the HR-V offers a wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi capabilities; however, the fact that wireless smartphone integration doesn’t come standard is something we can’t get over.
Vehicles these days are armed with some of the most advanced safety features around, making it easy to stay secure and out of harm’s way on the road. The 2025 Trax comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which provides you with a variety of features to elevate safety during your journey. From a standard Rear Vision Camera and Teen Driver mode to available Rear Park Assist and Blind Zone Alert, the Trax is watching out for you at every turn. The HR-V is equipped with Honda Sensing, which includes many of the same features as most vehicles offer these days. Both vehicles are undeniably safe; however, as far as innovation is concerned as a whole, the Trax offers more features to make your time in the driver’s seat better in every way.