Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

Both the Trax and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Crosstrek’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Trax is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The Trax 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Chevrolet Trax comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

For better stopping power the Trax’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek:

The Trax stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

For better traction, the Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek (245/45R19 vs. 225/60R17).

The Trax RS’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax RS offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Trax has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Crosstrek (106.3 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

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

The Trax uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trax has .1 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek.

The Trax has a much larger cargo volume than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (25.6 vs. 20.8 cubic feet).

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Crosstrek can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trax’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Crosstrek has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Trax’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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

The Trax’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Crosstrek’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Trax has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Crosstrek has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/Sport/Limited.

On extremely cold winter days, the Trax’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Trax (except RS) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Crosstrek has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.