Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2022 Chevrolet Trax

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crosstrek CVT are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Trax doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Trax doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Crosstrek CVT has standard Pre-Collision Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Trax doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Trax doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Crosstrek CVT’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Trax doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Crosstrek CVT’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Trax doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Crosstrek offers optional parking sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Trax doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Crosstrek CVT’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Trax doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Crosstrek and the Trax 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 blind spot warning systems 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 Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Chevrolet Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Hip Force	346 lbs.	388 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	428 lbs.	672 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	201	382

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Crosstrek is 2.3% to 4.2% less likely to roll over than the Trax.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 141 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Trax does not qualify as a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

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

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 9 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (182 vs. 155) than the Trax’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Trax doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Trax:

			MPG
Crosstrek
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/33 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
Trax
FWD	Auto	1.4 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
AWD	Auto	1.4 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Crosstrek CVT’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 Crosstrek has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trax (16.6 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Trax doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Crosstrek offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Trax doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Subaru Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek stops shorter than the Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Crosstrek has larger tires than the Trax (225/60R17 vs. 205/70R16). The Crosstrek’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Trax (225/60R17 vs. 215/55R18).

The Crosstrek’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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Trax.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek flat and controlled during cornering. The Trax’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Trax (104.9 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

The Crosstrek Limited handles at .81 G’s, while the Trax LT AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Trax LT AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Trax (8.7 vs. 6.2 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Crosstrek has 8.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Trax (100.9 vs. 92.8).

The Crosstrek has .2 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 4.5 inches more rear hip room and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trax.

Cargo Capacity

The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Trax with its rear seat up (20.8 vs. 18.7 cubic feet). The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trax with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek’s cargo area is larger than the Trax’s in almost every dimension:

	Crosstrek	Trax
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32.3”/64.2”	29.3”/57”
Max Width	53”	39.5”
Min Width	43”	36”
Height	30”	31.8”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Trax doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Crosstrek has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Trax has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Trax. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Crosstrek’s front power windows open or close 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 Trax’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). 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 Crosstrek has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Trax doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Crosstrek’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Trax’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Crosstrek Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Trax doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Limited has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Trax doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trax doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The Crosstrek’s 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.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Crosstrek CVT has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Trax doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Crosstrek Limited’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 Crosstrek 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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Crosstrek with a number “5” insurance rate while the Trax is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Crosstrek is less expensive to operate than the Trax because typical repairs cost much less on the Crosstrek than the Trax, including $133 less for a water pump, $426 less for a muffler, $12 less for front brake pads, $130 less for a fuel pump, $476 less for a timing belt/chain and $548 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Trax isn't recommended.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Chevrolet Trax by over two to one during the 2021 model year.

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