Compare the2022 Ford EcoSportVS 2022 Chevrolet Trax

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the EcoSport. But it costs extra on the Trax.

Both the EcoSport and the Trax have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Ford EcoSport is safer than the Chevrolet Trax:

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

The EcoSport’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trax’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (166 vs. 155) than the Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the EcoSport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Trax doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Trax doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ford EcoSport has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Trax. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The EcoSport stops shorter than the Trax:

The EcoSport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trax’s standard 70 series tires. The EcoSport’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Trax LT’s optional 55 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford EcoSport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Trax has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The EcoSport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the EcoSport flat and controlled during cornering. The Trax’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The EcoSport Titanium handles at .80 G’s, while the Trax LT AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EcoSport SES executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Trax LT AWD (28.7 seconds @ .56 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the EcoSport’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Trax LS’ (35.1 feet vs. 35.4 feet). The EcoSport’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Trax LT’s (35.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The EcoSport is 6.3 inches shorter than the Trax, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Trax doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has 2.1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Trax.

The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trax with its rear seat up (20.9 vs. 18.7 cubic feet). The EcoSport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trax with its rear seat folded (50 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Trax has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Trax doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Trax doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

The EcoSport’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Trax’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The EcoSport SES/Titanium’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the EcoSport has standard extendable sun visors. The Trax doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The EcoSport SES/Titanium’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trax doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

On extremely cold winter days, the EcoSport SES/Titanium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Trax doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The EcoSport SE/Titanium/SES’ standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Trax doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The EcoSport (except S)’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Trax’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

With standard voice command, the EcoSport offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Trax doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Insurance will cost less for the EcoSport owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the EcoSport with a number “8” insurance rate while the Trax is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Trax because it costs $18 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the EcoSport than the Trax, including $307 less for a water pump, $327 less for a muffler, $116 less for a fuel pump and $57 less for a timing belt/chain.