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| 26 | City Fuel Economy (MPG) | 24 |
| 392 | Range on One Tank (miles) | 343 |
| 10 | Airbags | 7 |
The subcompact SUV and crossover category is filled with fun and functional rides that have solid safety ratings, that get great fuel efficiency, and offer a more robust feel and more cargo room than many of the five-seat sedans they compete with. Two of the more compelling subcompact SUVs on the market today are the Chevy Trax and Jeep Renegade. The former is known for its exceptional fuel efficiency, stellar safety record, and affordable price tag, while the latter has a reputation for being a fun and adventurous vehicle. While those reputations are born out of reality and experience, it is worth comparing these two sub-compact SUVs side by side to see how they really stack up against each other. To do that, we will look at some of the most important factors for any subcompact SUV, mainly fuel efficiency, safety, and affordability. Once examined through the lens of those three categories, it will be clear to see who comes out on top between the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Jeep Renegade.
When it comes to subcompact SUVs and crossovers, not all vehicles are created equal. That is definitely the case with the 2020 Chevy Trax and the 2020 Jeep Renegade. There is no area where the difference is more clear than when it comes to fuel efficiency.
The thing about fuel efficiency is that it is such an important part of any car’s performance metrics. Today more than ever, a solid fuel efficiency rating can be the difference between a decent car and a great one. Obviously, there are two reasons why fuel efficiency is so important.
The first reason is because of the environment. Climate conscious drivers don’t want the gas guzzlers of yesteryear. Instead, they have come to expect vehicles that consume fuel responsibly.
The second reason fuel efficiency is so important is because of cost. Even just a few miles per gallon difference in fuel economy can translate into thousands of dollars saved over the life of a vehicle.
That is what makes the 2020 Chevy Trax such a compelling subcompact SUV. Its fuel efficiency is near the top of its class, starting with 26 MPG in the city. On the highway, it gets even better mileage at a robust 31 MPG. Finally, the combined rating for the Trax is 28 MPG.
The Jeep Renegade, on the other hand, has a much more pedestrian rating. At its best, the Renegade starts with 24 MPG in the city. While that number is reminiscent of much larger SUVs from decades past, it does do slightly better on highways, getting a max of 32 MPG. But when you combine the two, you get a fuel rating of 27 MPG, a bit lower than the Trax.
Finally, when you combine the increased fuel efficiency of the Trax with its larger fuel tank, it means having to stop for gas less often. In fact, you can go 392 miles on one tank of gas with the Trax while the Renegade can only muster about 343 miles. If you are looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle, while these two models are quite comparable, the Trax cannot be beat.
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to comparing subcompact SUVs or any other vehicle for that matter. As a driving public, we take millions of trips with our cars every year, and we want to know that we are going to be as safe as possible when we do so.
At first glance, it seems that both the 2020 Chevy Trax and the 2020 Jeep Renegade have similar safety suites, and for the most part, they do. A number of the Trax and Renegade trims have the latest safety features available, including Adaptive Cruise Control which allows you set a predetermined distance from the car in front of you, Lane Departure Warning, which alerts you when you are about to leave your lane, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert which informs you when pedestrians are behind the vehicle while you are backing up.
While these features and many others have become available on a long list of vehicles as of late, there are still other ways that the Trax has a slight edge in the safety category over the Renegade. The first and most important is in the airbag count. While the Jeep Renegade has a respectable seven airbags, the Trax out does it with ten of its own to make an even safer ride.
The Trax also has Teen Driver, which includes a variety of safety settings for new drivers to help them, and you track their progress and ensure they are making good decisions.
Though it is close, the Trax edges out the Renegade when it comes to safety.
Affordability is a crucial metric when it comes to any purchase, including subcompact SUVs. You work hard for your money, and you want to be able to get a good value for the SUV you are buying. At the same time, you need to measure and weigh what you are getting for the price you are paying.
Even if a vehicle is cheaper doesn’t automatically mean it is the better value. If an SUV has way more features and superior safety ratings than its competitor, it might be worth buying even if it comes with a bigger price tag.
On the other hand, if two vehicles are very comparable, or the one that is more affordable is better in several meaningful categories and comparable otherwise, your best bet is most likely to go with the more affordable option.
That is exactly the case with the 2020 Chevy Trax. Not only does each and every one of its three trims have a more reasonable price tag than the seven Renegade trims, but it matches them in many categories and outperforms them in others.
The first trim for the Trax is the LS, which starts at $21,300. The Renegade Sport, which is the base model, has a significantly higher price tag at $22,620. Even if you look at the AWD or 4WD options, which both SUVs have, the LS is still more affordable than the Trax.
This trend continues on with the LT and Premium, the other two Trax trims, which start at $23,200 and $27,600, respectively. At some points along the way, the LT is even cheaper than lower Renegade trims.
In all honesty, a few of the Renegade trims come across as a bit redundant as they vary little from trim to trim (though the price does increase noticeably with each). The second Renegade trim is the Latitude which debuts at $24,640, followed by the Upland at $25,270. After the Upland comes the Altitude at an MSRP of $25,635, which is technically a limited edition model. The next trim up is the Limited at an MSRP of $25,635. Finally, the Trailhawk trim starts at $28,215, and the High Altitude (another limited edition) starts at $29,240, although its four-wheel drive version crosses the $30,000 threshold.
Of course, if the Renegade was outfitted with far more goodies and was the undisputed better vehicle, it would make sense to pay more for it. But as we have seen, that is hardly the case. Because of its superior fuel efficiency (which makes it not only more affordable to buy, but to own as well), and its stellar safety features, the 2020 Chevy Trax truly is the more affordable option and better value. It is rare to get this many features and such high-quality performance from an SUV that is as affordable as the 2020 Chevy Trax.
When you consider the fuel efficiency, safety, and affordability, you can begin to see why we at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford are so excited about the 2020 Chevy Trax. Obviously, we love Chevy’s of all shapes and sizes, otherwise, we wouldn’t sell them. But the good news is that in addition to taking our knowledgeable perspective into consideration, you can visit our dealership and see for yourself just how great the 2020 Trax truly is.
Our friendly sales associates are experts in all things Chevy and would love to take you on a tour of our showroom and lot and answer any questions you might have. They have years of experience and have done the research necessary to know each and every Chevy model inside and out. They would also love to set up a test drive for you so you can experience the feel of a 2020 Chevy Trax or other great Chevy car, truck, or SUV for yourself.
Our service department is also open six days a week and provides both peace of mind and convenience to our customers. They are here to make sure your Chevy car, truck, or SUV is running as well in its fifth year as it was when you first bought it. Finally, our detail-oriented finance team can crunch some numbers and let you know the financial package that will work best for you. All of us look forward to seeing you soon. Happy driving.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.