Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

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 Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Trax and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 219 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Santa Fe Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Trax third among small suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Santa Fe Hybrid 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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Trax has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Santa Fe Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Trax LS’ turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Trax LT’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1100 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The Trax is 1 foot, 8.8 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, 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 Santa Fe Hybrid (16.8” vs. 17.5”). The Trax’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (16.8” vs. 18.3”).

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

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

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