Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2021 Fiat 500X

The Chevrolet Trax has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The 500X doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Trax and the 500X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Trax 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 500X’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Trax has a standard 525-amp battery. The 500X’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trax’s reliability 27 points higher than the 500X.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Trax third among small suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The 500X isn’t in the top three in its category.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Trax uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Trax has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Trax stops much shorter than the 500X:

The Trax AWD handles at .79 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 500X Trekking (28.2 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Trax LS’ turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the 500X’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.3 feet).

The Trax has .5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the 500X.

The front step up height for the Trax is 2.6 inches lower than the 500X (16.8” vs. 19.4”). The Trax’s rear step up height is 2.8 inches lower than the 500X’s (16.8” vs. 19.6”).

The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (18.7 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (48.4 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Trax easier. The Trax’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.8 inches, while the 500X’s liftover is 31.4 inches.

The Trax has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Trax has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Trax has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

The Trax LT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 500X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Trax is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The 500X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Trax is less expensive to operate than the 500X because typical repairs cost much less on the Trax than the 500X, including $303 less for fuel injection and $18 less for a fuel pump.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Chevrolet Trax, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.