Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2022 Hyundai Kona

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 Kona doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Trax and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Hyundai Kona:

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Hyundai Kona:

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

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

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 34 points higher than the Kona.

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

The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (155 vs. 147) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 132) than the Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

For better stopping power the Trax’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

The Trax stops much shorter than the Kona:

The Trax has 1 inch more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Kona.

The Trax has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona with its rear seat folded (48.4 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The Trax’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Kona’s optional windows’ rear windows don’t open automatically.

The Trax’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kona’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Kona doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Trax is less expensive to operate than the Kona because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Trax than the Kona, including $79 less for a starter and $35 less for fuel injection.

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

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Hyundai Kona by 39% during 2020.