Comparing the New Chevy Trax vs the Honda HR-V

We’ve seen the subcompact crossover segment rise in popularity across New Hampshire due to the fuel efficiency, ability to haul plenty of cargo, and additional passenger space these SUVs provide over your standard car.

The new Chevrolet Trax is a compact crossover SUV, offering an agile and reliable performance that’s perfectly suited for city driving and highway commuting, making it an optimal choice for professionals that need more space and functionality than a sedan normally provides. Customers have been impressed with its modern safety features, entertainment options, and versatility. The Honda HR-V is another capable compact crossover SUV known for being an affordable option for growing families in need of decent cargo space. The HR-V has a wide variety of trim levels to give drivers a lot of options when shopping for their next SUV.

Which SUV is right for you? The Chevy Trax and Honda HR-V offer great features and have many positive reviews, but which of these crossovers is better for our area buyers? You’ll likely need a test drive to determine which SUV is perfect for you. But, you can keep reading to find out more about what each vehicle has to offer and see which one is worthy of a test drive.

Exterior

The Chevy Trax and Honda HR-V are subcompact crossovers, so they both come with small bodies that are about the same size. The Trax is virtually the same width and only 1.6 inches taller than the HR-V, standing at 64.8 inches. But the Trax is shorter at 167.6 inches long versus the HR-V’s 170.4-inch body. The Trax’s 100.6-inch wheelbase is also shorter than the HR-V’s by 2.2 inches.

Both crossovers have a quality, sporty look that will appeal to a wide audience. They blend in well with modern traffic and are great for shoppers who want a crossover that will look nice regardless of its surroundings. The HR_V has a slightly more streamlined look that continues with its interior design while the Trax takes some bolder choices. We really think this category will mostly come down to personal taste.

Perks for the Chevy Trax

  • The slightly shorter body makes it easier to fit into tight parking spaces

Perks for the Honda HR-V

  • The longer wheelbase helps provide a slightly smoother ride on particularly rough roads

Interior

The interior design of these subcompact crossovers is where both vehicles take on vastly different looks. The Honda HR-V continues the subdued style of the exterior with its relatively straight-lined dashboard and otherwise reserved design. The Trax, however, takes a step away from its toned-down exterior to deliver a shapelier interior that includes an engaging dash pad, metallic accents, and modern infotainment system.

In terms of space, the front seats of the Chevy Trax offer 39.6 inches of headroom, 40.8 inches of legroom, 54.1 inches of shoulder room, and 51.7 inches of hip room. The Honda HR-V comes in at 39.5 inches of headroom, 41.2 inches of legroom, 57 inches of shoulder room, and 53.3 inches.

In its rear seats, the Trax provides passengers with 38.8 inches of headroom, 35.7 inches of legroom, 52.5 inches of shoulder room, and 50.1 inches of hip room. The Trax beats the HR-V by 0.5 inches in headroom and 2.7 inches in hip room, but the HR-V has slightly more leg and shoulder, coming in at 39.3 inches of legroom and 54.5 inches shoulder room, respectively.

Sure, these are compact crossovers that save on space. But cargo room still matters to buyers and often the main reason families upgrade from a sedan. The 2020 Chevy Trax delivers a respectable 18.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats upright and 48.4 cubes with the seats folded, but the HR-V provides slightly more space with its best in-class with 23.2 to 57.6 cubes of cargo room.

Perks for the Chevy Trax

  • The bold interior design is complimented by great technology options
  • The Trax offers more headroom and hip room for rear passengers

Perks for the Honda HR-V

  • The HR-V provides more legroom for passengers
  • The HR-V is the class leader in cargo space

Performance

The Honda HR-V checks in with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. These SUVs come with front wheel drive standard, but all-wheel drive is optional.

The Trax gets points for creativity in the powertrain department with its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pumps out 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Standard options route this power through a traditional six-speed automatic transmission on its way to the front wheels. The Trax also offers an all-wheel drive is optional.

Independent testing has shown that the extra torque from the Trax’s turbocharged engine helps give it a 0.2 second advantage while climbing from 0-to-60. While this is not a huge gap, the quick-hitting turbo boost makes the Trax feel sportier and more responsive when you’re behind the driver’s seat.

Both SUVs provide similar fuel efficiency, with slight variations depending on the trim level you choose but the HR-V queaks out ahead of the Trax is most tests.

Perks for the Chevy Trax

  • Faster 0-to-60 and sportier performance
  • Turbo makes it feel significantly faster when you’re behind the wheel

Perks for the Honda HR-V

  • Has slightly better fuel economy

Key Features by Model and Trim Level

The 2020 Chevy Trax is available in three trim levels: LS, LT, and Premier. Each has a variety of packages available to ensure you get the SUV you need. The Honda HR-V’s lineup has five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring.

Chevy Trax Trim Levels

LS: This base model still offers a lot of compelling features for a compact crossover.

  • 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Halogen headlights with automatic-on/off
  • 16-inch painted aluminum wheels
  • Front and rear intermittent wipers
  • Cargo tie-downs
  • Power windows
  • Power door locks
  • Single-zone climate control
  • Flat-folding front passenger seat
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat
  • Cloth seating
  • Steering-wheel-mounted controls
  • Retractable cargo cover
  • Six-speaker audio system
  • 7-inch touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Two USB ports
  • Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming
  • 3.5-inch driver information center
  • Digital compass
  • Keyless entry
  • Built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi
  • Chevrolet Connected
  • Daytime running lights
  • OnStar availability
  • Rearview camera

LT: The next trim level up from the LS adds a slew of features for enhanced style, function, and convenience.

  • All of the LS features, plus
  • Tinted rear windows
  • Halogen projector headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED taillight accents
  • Luggage rack
  • Silver-painted front and rear skid plates
  • Heated mirrors
  • Deluxe cloth seating
  • SiriusXM radio capability
  • Cruise control
  • 110-volt power outlet
  • Remote ignition

Premier: The premier trim pays plenty of attention to the interior of the car, providing upgraded materials, speakers, and safety technology.

  • All of the LT features, plus
  • Fog lights
  • Chrome door handle strip
  • Chrome liftgate applique
  • 18-inch wheels
  • Heated front seats
  • Leatherette seating
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Moonroof
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Six-way power driver’s seat
  • Rear park assist
  • Forward collision alert
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Blind-zone monitoring
  • Bose premium seven-speaker audio system

Honda HR-V Trim Levels

LX: The base model provides the basic amenities you’d expect with a crossover.

  • 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Automatic brake hold
  • Hill-start assist
  • LED daytime running lights
  • Multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines
  • Two-speed intermittent wipers
  • Projector-beam headlights with automatic off
  • LED brake lights
  • Body-color side-view mirrors
  • Front- and second-row 12-volt power ports
  • Floor mats
  • Cargo-area tie-down anchors
  • Chrome inside door handles
  • Four-speaker audio system with 160 watts
  • 5-inch color LCD screen
  • Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio
  • 1-amp front USB port

Sport: The sport package focuses on performance and looks, with a couple interior upgrades.

  • All of the LX features, plus
  • 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels with matte-black inserts
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Hill-start assist
  • Paddle shifters
  • Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
  • Gloss-black side-view mirrors
  • Gloss-black underbody spoilers
  • Exhaust tip
  • Fog lights
  • Sport pedals
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  • 1.5-amp USB port in front row
  • Six-speaker audio system with 180 watts
  • 7-inch Display Audio system with high-resolution screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • HondaLink
  • SMS text messaging function

EX: The EX trim provides a variety of upgrades across the exterior, interior, and technology in the car.

  • All of the LX features, plus
  • 17-inch silver-painted alloy wheels
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Hill-start assist
  • Paddle shifters
  • Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
  • Roof rails
  • Exhaust tip
  • Fog lights
  • 1.5-amp USB port in front row
  • Six-speaker audio system with 180 watts
  • 7-inch Display Audio system with high-resolution screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • SiriusXM
  • HD Radio
  • HondaLink
  • SMS text messaging function
  • Power moonroof
  • Heated front seats
  • Smart entry with walk-away locking
  • Heated mirrors with integrated turn signals
  • Tinted rear glass
  • Variable intermittent wipers
  • Automatic climate control with electrostatic touchscreen
  • Keyless ignition
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Road-departure mitigation
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Honda LaneWatch
  • Auto-on/off headlights

EX-L: This trim adds a little more style to the EX.

  • EX features, plus
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Leather seating

Touring: The Touring model is built for providing you with comfort and technology on long roadtrips.

  • All of the EX-L features, plus
  • All-wheel drive
  • DeDion rear suspension
  • 17-inch machine-finished alloy wheels with Gloss Shark Gray inserts
  • LED fog lights
  • LED headlights
  • Body-colored underbody spoilers
  • Universal home remote
  • Eight-way power driver’s seat
  • Satellite-linked navigation
  • Compass

Who Should Buy the 2020 Chevy Trax vs the Honda HR-V?

Both are well-reviewed crossovers that make sense for a lot of New Hampshire drivers. To be honest, we always believe the best way to tell which vehicle is best for you is with a test drive.

The Chevy Trax sells well with a wide range of drivers in New Hampshire because it is perfect for some looking to get a sporty, versatile crossover focused on performance and technology. The bold interior design, increased torque, and plethora of safety features make the Trax a compelling buy for many area drivers.

The Honda HR-V is popular with families because it provides fuel efficiency, cargo space, and streamlined looks into an affordable package.

As we said before, getting behind the wheel is the best way to know which SUV is right for you.

If you’re interested in giving the Chevy Trax a spin, head on over to our dealership or give us a call today!

Stop by our Chevrolet showroom for a 2020 Chevy Trax test drive. Are you too busy to stop by today? You can check out our entire online inventory to make sure we have an SUV that fits your needs and schedule a test drive for later on this week. Regardless of what you need, we’re here to make your car shopping experience better.