Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2022 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.

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 Hybrid:

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 Hybrid:

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 Hybrid.

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

The Trax stops much shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

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.

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

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 950 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Trax owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trax will cost $185 to $850 less than the Santa Fe Hybrid over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trax will be $7047 to $10010 less than for the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

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.