Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Both the Trax and the Crosstrek Hybrid 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, 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 Hybrid’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.

Both the Trax and Crosstrek Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Trax has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Trax higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Trax produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

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

For better traction, the Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek Hybrid (245/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

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 Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax RS offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek Hybrid’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 Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 pounds less than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trax has .4 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (25.6 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Trax has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 43.1 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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