Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2021 Ford EcoSport

Both the Trax and the EcoSport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Trax the rating of “Top Pick” for 2016, a rating granted to only 221 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

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

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 53 points higher than the EcoSport.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Trax third among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The EcoSport isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (155 vs. 123) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 125) than the EcoSport’s standard 1.0 turbo 3-cylinder. The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Trax AWD gets better fuel mileage than the EcoSport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (23 city/30 hwy vs. 23 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Trax uses regular unleaded gasoline. The EcoSport with the 1.0 turbo 3-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Trax higher (7 out of 10) than the Ford EcoSport (5). This means the Trax produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the EcoSport every 15,000 miles.

The Trax stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

For better traction, the Trax LT’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EcoSport (215/55R18 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax LT offers optional 18-inch wheels. The EcoSport’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Chevrolet Trax’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Trax has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The EcoSport doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the EcoSport (100.6 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

The Trax’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (60.7% to 39.3%) than the EcoSport’s (62% to 38%). This gives the Trax more stable handling and braking.

The Trax handles at .80 G’s, while the EcoSport SE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Trax executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the EcoSport SE (28.2 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

The Trax has .1 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

The Trax’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

The Trax’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

The Trax will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Trax will retain 45.97% to 46.16% of its original price after five years, while the EcoSport only retains 42.27% to 42.7%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Trax is less expensive to operate than the EcoSport because typical repairs cost less on the Trax than the EcoSport, including $3 less for front brake pads, $25 less for a starter, $103 less for fuel injection, $57 less for front struts and $46 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trax will be $64 to $4615 less than for the Ford EcoSport.

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

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Ford EcoSport by 41% during the 2021 model year.