Compare the2026 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2026 Chevrolet Trax

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Crosstrek have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Trax doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Crosstrek are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Trax doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Subaru Crosstrek has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Trax doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Crosstrek is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chevrolet Trax, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Crosstrek	Trax
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-2 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	-24 MPH	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	3.3 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-5 MPH	-3 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	3.2 sec	1.3 sec

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

The Crosstrek has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Trax doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trax only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Subaru Crosstrek’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Chevrolet Trax does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

The Crosstrek Limited/Wilderness’ 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, side-impact head airbags, 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 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 Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Chevrolet Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	28.8%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	170	281
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	39.7%
Neck Stress	158 lbs.	220 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	97 lbs.

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 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	4 Stars
HIC	113	171
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	148 lbs.	288 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	116	378
Spine Acceleration	52 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	254	464
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	721 lbs.	733 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	131	476
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	379 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	848 lbs.	1227 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	215	424
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	134 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Crosstrek’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Trax’s camshafts. If the Trax’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 Crosstrek’s reliability 29 points higher than the Trax.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Engine

The Crosstrek’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (180 vs. 137) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 162) than the Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (194 vs. 137) than the Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Crosstrek 4 cyl. is faster than the Chevrolet Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	78.2 MPH

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 Hybrid 2.5 flat-4 Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the Trax (36 city/36 hwy vs. 28 city/32 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the Crosstrek Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Trax doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Crosstrek has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Trax (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Trax. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Crosstrek has a standard 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

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

	Crosstrek	Crosstrek Hybrid	Trax
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

The Crosstrek’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Trax are solid, not vented.

The Crosstrek stops much shorter than the Trax:

	Crosstrek	Trax
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

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.

The Crosstrek handles at .81 G’s, while the Trax ACTIV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Trax ACTIV (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Trax’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet). The Crosstrek’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Trax’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

Passenger Space

The Crosstrek has 2.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Trax (100.5 vs. 98).

The Crosstrek has .2 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 9.4 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Trax.

Cargo Capacity

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trax with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

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 power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Crosstrek’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start is an extra cost option on the Trax and only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Trax’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

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

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 Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Trax doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Crosstrek’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Trax doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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 LS doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

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

Compared to the Chevrolet Trax, the Subaru Crosstrek eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek retains 66.41% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 52.73% resale value of the 2025 Chevrolet Trax after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Trax isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2023 issue and they ranked the Subaru Crosstrek first. They ranked the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV third.

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