2022 Chevy Trax vs 2022 Honda HR-V

• 2022 Chevy Trax

  

  Starting at

  $21,400*

  2022 Honda HR-V

  

  Starting at

  $21,420*

  155	Max Horsepower (hp)	141
  Standard	Driver-Assist (systems)	Available
  Standard	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Infotainment)	Available

  A war is waging for dominance in the competitive subcompact crossover segment, and it's being fueled by buyers who demand more and more features at an entry-level price they can afford. If that sounds like a tall order, it might surprise you to learn that two of the fiercest competitors are giving these buyers exactly what they want. But when you compare the 2022 Chevy Trax vs 2022 Honda HR-V, one is succeeding just a little bit more than the other.

  In a quick side-by-side comparison, the Trax and the HR-V are almost identically priced and feature very similar technology and convenience features. However, a closer look reveals some glaring differences that might be deal killers for discerning buyers. Price is only one factor when considering which vehicle is right for you; considerations like performance, passenger and cargo volume, and available safety technology should all carry weight.

  Many subcompact crossover buyers are frustrated used vehicle shoppers who've decided to opt-in on the benefits of driving new. They want a low cost of ownership, first and foremost, but because they're making the switch from used to new, they expect excellent warranty coverage and the latest technology and safety advancements. Which of these popular mini SUVs makes the cut?

• Value

  

  One surefire way to discern which vehicle is the better bargain is to not just look at the base price but also which features come standard on the entry-level trim. The Trax lineup is simplified for 2022 and features just two options: the base LS and the LT. That's good news for budget buyers because Chevy has infused the lower-priced trim with plenty of great standard options and next-generation technology.

  Features Comparison

  The Trax LS features a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Chevy's Infotainment 3 operating system. This makes accessing smartphone apps easy, thanks to the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity that comes with it. The LS trim also includes a 3.5-inch Driver Information Center that displays key data, like speed and fuel level. Buyers will also love the standard six-speaker audio system that makes streaming playlists and podcasts even more enjoyable.

  One look at the 2022 Honda HR-V LX's spec sheet reveals a big technology gap. First off, it doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. It can't, because the LX trim doesn't include a modern touchscreen infotainment center. Instead, HR-V LX buyers receive a paltry 5-inch "LCD screen," which is anything but upgraded. The base stereo is even less exciting since it features a mere four speakers, which isn't enough to fill the cabin with high-quality sound.

  Bang for Your Buck

  Since the Trax LS and the HR-V LX share an almost identical MSRP (in fact, the HR-V is $20 more), it seems odd that Honda doesn't offer much in the way of infotainment technology. Buyers in the subcompact crossover segment tend to be younger, which means staying connected and entertained is high on their list of priorities. A word to the wise, if you're bargain shopping and you like great music while you're driving, think twice about the HR-V LX.

  In fairness, Honda offers the HR-V in four trims versus the two offered in Chevy's Trax lineup. It stands to reason, then, that the next trim level – the HR-V Sport – might improve upon the quality of standard infotainment equipment. Not so, because while the HR-V Sport does have a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it still only offers a paltry four-speaker audio system. Even worse, you have to pay over $23,300 to get it - that's more than the top LT trim of the 2022 Chevy Trax.

• Safety

  

  For 2022, Chevy offers a multitude of advanced safety technology on its vehicles. Some systems are pretty straightforward, like the ten standard airbags distributed throughout the Trax, and others are akin to semi-autonomous driving technology. These systems, known as driver-assist systems, use radar, cameras, and sensors to continuously monitor the area around your vehicle and alert you when a potential hazard exists.

  Connected Services

  Other systems are linked to connected services. Many are accessible via smartphone apps, but some, like Chevy's OnStar Connected Services, are reachable via a dedicated button inside the vehicle. Connected services are designed to provide live 24/7 emergency support for drivers. OnStar can notify emergency services when it senses your airbags have deployed. It can also locate a stolen car or dispatch a tow truck if needed.

  The 2022 Chevy Trax LS is equipped with OnStar Connected Services capabilities, as is the more expensive LT trim. Honda offers similar safety support via its HondaLink connected services, but if you want it, you can't buy the base HR-V LX. Unfortunately, Honda's entry-level trim doesn't offer connected services and, by extension, doesn't offer access to emergency services via live agents. If you want that level of connectedness, you have to upgrade to the Sport trim.

  Driver-Assist Features

  The HR-V does offer Honda's safety suite, called Honda Sensing. Unfortunately, to access it, you have to choose the high-end EX or EX-L trim. Since the EX starts at almost $25,000, it's a big price jump. Trax buyers looking for driver-assist technology would need to opt for the LT trim and add the Driver Confidence Package. Doing so holds the price at under $24,000, so it's more economical than Honda's similarly-equipped HR-V trim.*

  The driver-assist symptoms found on Chevy's subcompact Trax include Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The beauty of these systems is their focus on areas of the vehicle drivers can't typically watch. When we're trying to change lanes, it can be tough to confirm that no vehicles are in the space we're moving into – side blind zone alert sends an audible warning if drivers attempt to change lanes while another car is in their blind zone.

  Rear Park Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert use sensors and the standard rear vision camera to notify drivers when an object is in the car's intended path or is entering the path from either side. The systems are bumper savers at low speeds, such as when pulling into parking spaces or parallel parking, and they're a great way to make backing out of your driveway a whole lot safer and easier. The 2022 HR-V incorporates its Honda Sensing system into the EX and EX-L as standard equipment, but the price tag increases substantially and surpasses the cost of even the most well-equipped Trax trim.

• Features

  

  Both vehicles offer available all-wheel drive for additional traction, and front-wheel drive models of the Trax and HR-V are equipped with traction control. They each also feature LED daytime running lights and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Overall, at the high end of the trim range, the HR-V might win on its raw volume of safety technology, but Chevy still equips its Trax trims with a solid number of safety features without obligating buyers to stretch financially to get them.

  Convenience Features

  Safety is one area in which the Trax dominates, but when we look at other general features through the prism of value, even more Trax advantages emerge. As for connected services, it's important to note that neither the HR-V LX or Sport trims offer SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. You also can't connect to HondaLink connected services if you're behind the wheel of an HR-V LX. In contrast, not only is SiriusXM available on the Trax, but Chevy offers a three-month trial subscription for free with every Trax model sold.

  Connected services are also available to buyers of either Trax trim, so you don't have to spend more to activate your smartphone as a remote key. Considering younger buyers are a big part of the subcompact crossover demographic, Honda's inability to equip its lesser-priced trims with scalable technology is confusing. The Trax gets it right in this area, giving buyers access to subscription-based technology without obligating them to buy a more expensive model to get it. Also, because the services are available throughout the ownership period, buyers on a budget can always opt-in at a later time.

  Performance Features

  One standout characteristic you'll find in the Trax that isn't available on the HR-V is peppy performance. That's thanks to the Trax's standard 155-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Compared to the HR-V's lower 141 horsepower stat, it's pretty significant. Not only is the Trax more powerful, but it also features superior braking capability and excellent agility, which is important especially for city dwellers. Of its braking manners, Car and Driver reports that the Trax's brakes "are among the strongest in its class" and that they're "confidence inspiring." Sure, performance isn't usually at the top of your mind when shopping in this segment, but it's always a nice touch to have a bit more power under the hood.

Buy Your Trax at DePaula Chevy