Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Compared to metal, the Trax’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek has a metal gas tank.

Both the Trax and the Crosstrek 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.

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 Subaru Crosstrek:

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 Subaru Crosstrek:

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

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

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 27th, below the industry average.

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (155 vs. 152) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (177 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Chevrolet Trax comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

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

The Trax stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Trax handles at .80 G’s, while the Crosstrek Premium pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Trax is 8.9 inches shorter than the Crosstrek, making the Trax easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the Trax is .7 inches lower than the Crosstrek (16.8” vs. 17.5”). The Trax’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the Crosstrek’s (16.8” vs. 18”).

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 Crosstrek’s liftover is 30.9 inches.

The Trax has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Crosstrek doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

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 Crosstrek’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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 Crosstrek’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Crosstrek has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/Sport/Limited.

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

The Trax is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek because it costs $236 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Trax than the Crosstrek, including $249 less for a starter, $121 less for fuel injection and $153 less for front struts.

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