Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Trax and the Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe:

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 Hyundai Santa Fe:

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 56 points higher than the Santa Fe.

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

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

The Trax stops shorter than the Santa Fe:

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

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 800 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Trax is 1 foot, 8.8 inches shorter than the Santa Fe, 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 (16.8” vs. 17.5”). The Trax’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Santa Fe’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’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trax will be $2744 to $13993 less than for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

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

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Hyundai Santa Fe by 6% during 2020.