2020 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Chevy Trax – Rochester, NY

• 2020 Honda HR-V

  

  Starting at

  $20,920¹

  2020 Chevy Trax

  

  Starting at

  $21,300

  141	Horsepower (HP)	138
  58.8	Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.)	48.4
  28 / 342	Fuel Economy (city/highway)	26 / 31

  Comparing the 2020 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Chevy Trax will reveal that they are very similar in style and performance. They're both subcompact crossovers with good gas mileage and an affordable price tag. Keep in mind that these are smaller vehicles, yet they're both spacious for their size.

  There are a few notable differences between the two, like engine size and color range. And the Trax comes in three different trim models while the HR-V comes in five, giving the Honda an upper hand regarding variety. It's helpful to know and understand these differences, as well as what each model has to offer. These specs will shed light on both the HR-V and the Trax to help buyers decide which one is right for them.

• Performance

  

  The 2020 Honda HR-V's Engine

  Performance is everything. Looks definitely matter, but no one wants a vehicle that doesn't carry its own weight. This is why the HR-V is a great option to consider when looking at extra small crossover models. The 2020 Honda HR-V's 1.8L four-cylinder engine gets good gas mileage while providing 141 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth and efficient continuously variable transmission that includes a sport mode and steering-wheel paddle shifters on all but the base trim.

  One of the HR-V's highlights is that its engine performs well while still providing drivers with great mileage. Depending on the trim and configuration, the HR-V is rated for up to 34 MPG on the highway and up to 28 MPG in the city.² The all-wheel-drive trims are a bit less efficient, but they will provide you with the traction you need to handle harsh New York winters. Overall, the HR-V performs great, especially for its compact size.

  The 2020 Chevy Trax's Engine

  Conversely, the 2020 Chevy Trax comes with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 138 horsepower and 148 pounds of torque. The Trax's engine is a bit smaller than the HR-V's, but it does still provide a decent amount of horsepower. However, it comes paired with an older 6-speed automatic transmission. The standard model is front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available.

  The Trax also doesn't do as well as the HR-V in terms of gas mileage. This is one of its flaws when comparing it to the HR-V. At best, the Trax can get up to 31 MPG on the highway and 26 MPG in the city. It's not a huge difference, but the EPA estimates that the Trax will cost you another $100 every year in fuel costs. And given that the HR-V has a lower price tag to begin with, it's not the best deal between the two.

• Exterior

  

  The 2020 Honda HR-V's Exterior

  Exterior features will depend on which trim is being considered, but generally, the HR-V is available in eight different colors. These colors include eye-catching options like Aegean Blue Metallic, Milano Red, and Orangeburst Metallic. This provides buyers with an ample amount of color options, each unique in its own way. No two colors are similar, which creates a unique customization experience. Additionally, the HR-V's body style is quite slim. It's not large and bulky like some SUVs. Instead, it has more of a car-like appearance rather than a van or truck.

  The HR-V comes with four different wheel options. The standard wheels are 17-inch silver-painted alloys. But if these aren't nice enough, there are two more 17-inch options as well as the Sport trim's larger 18-inch wheels. Additionally, the Sport comes with its own grille, side sills, and underbody spoiler. But there is a plethora of external add-on options available for every trim of the HR-V. Let's take a closer look at them.

  These vary in price range, but none of the options are unreasonable. The available features for the HR-V range from functional additions such as roof rails and remote start systems to cosmetic details such as spoilers and additional chrome accents. However, all of them will let you customize your vehicle to fit your lifestyle. Whether you're a bicyclist, a skier, ora parent, there's an HR-V that can suit your needs. In summary, the HR-V comes with plenty of exterior customization options, making it a practical, sporty SUV.

  The 2020 Chevy Trax's Exterior

  On the other hand, the Trax comes in nine different colors, but five of those colors are simply different shades of black, white, and grey. The remaining colors are also fairly subdued, with the exception of the Red Hot option. As far as build is concerned, the Trax looks more van-like than the HR-V, with a somewhat stubby and topheavy body style. While looks aren't everything about a vehicle, you will not attract as much attention in a Trax as you will in an HR-V.

  And despite its higher starting price tag, the Trax just looks like more of a budget vehicle. The standard 16-inch wheels, for instance, simply can't compete with what the HR-V comes with. And the only other option is the 18-inch wheels found on the top trim. While Chevy does offer the Trax with some visually appealing packages such as the Redline Edition, these are needed simply to bring the Trax up to the level of style offered by the baseline HR-V. So while the Trax can be customized to a similar extent, it is starting at a much lower level and has an overall rather plain and unremarkable exterior.

• Technology

  

  The 2020 Honda HR-V's Technology

  The Honda Sensing suite is an important feature on the HR-V. This collection of systems includes driver-assistive technologies such as a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist. Let's take a look at what some of these technologies are capable of.

  While cruise control is common on most vehicles, adaptive cruise control is a little different and can detect how close you are to the car in front of you. Instead of setting your cruise and then having to worry about traffic, adaptive cruise control will automatically slow down to match traffic ahead of you and then return to your preferred speed when the coast is clear. It's still great to pay attention, but at least now you'll have an extra set of eyes to keep you safe.

  The road departure mitigation is a great safety option that will help keep you safe on long drives or when you are temporarily distracted. This awesome technology provides steering assistance for when you unintentionally veer out of your lane or drift off the roadway. It does this by monitoring whether or not a driver uses their signal, making it a beneficial safety option that will not interfere with normal lane changes.

  Lastly, the collision mitigation braking system does exactly what it says - it automatically stops the vehicle when a frontal collision is imminent. And on top of its advanced safety features, the HR-V includes plenty of other tech features such as Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These are great for entertainment on road trips or when stuck in traffic. Overall, these technologies make the HR-V even more appealing.

  The 2020 Chevy Trax's Technology

  While the Trax might not be quite up to the standard of the HR-V, it also has a decent selection of modern technologies. When it comes to safety features, the Trax is available with forward collision alert and lane departure warning. However, it doesn't include collision mitigation braking or road departure mitigation systems, which is part of what makes the HR-V so appealing. The Trax also lacks adaptive cruise control, so you will have to pay more attention when you are cruising on a busy highway.

  The Trax does have a decent infotainment system with a seven-inch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but those are the same features that are available on the HR-V. And while the 2020 Trax may still be a good option for drivers who are less keen on abundant tech options, the base trims of the HR-V are also available without the full Honda Sensing suite. In short, the Chevy Trax is far behind the Honda HR-V when it comes to technology.

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