
Starting at

Starting at
| 155 | Horsepower (HP) | 141 |
| 177 | Torque (lb-ft) | 127 |
| 7 | Standard Screen (in) | 5 |
The compact SUV world has been a part of our automotive lives for a few years now, and over time this user-friendly class of vehicles has grown in popularity. The fact of the matter is many people love the higher seating positions of an SUV but don't actually need something with more seats than a four-door sedan would provide. This is why discerning car shoppers all over the nation are comparing compact SUVs such as the 2021 Chevy Trax vs 2021 Honda HR-V.
If you like to take the occasional off-pavement adventure or you enjoy sitting higher up than a traditional sedan allows, a compact SUV is a good option. Unfortunately, so many of these compact SUVs are nothing more than large cars, and they don't provide you with the little extras that make those off-pavement adventures safer for the vehicle and more fun for you. Many more are underpowered, leaving you with engines that fall flat on the freeway. It is in these areas that the 2021 Chevy Trax really shines.
The 2021 Chevy Trax, especially when compared to the 2021 Honda HR-V, is a good example of a capable and fun compact SUV rather than merely an extra-large car. Both of these vehicles have the option of coming with all-wheel drive systems, and both are similarly priced. However, the 2021 Chevy Trax has a more capable engine and a few extra features that are going to make traveling on rough roads a lot less worrisome. While the Chevy Trax is not officially an all-capable off-roading vehicle, it can certainly handle trails, dirt roads, and even poorly maintained paved roads without an issue.

When comparing the 2021 Chevy Trax to the 2021 Honda HR-V, the Chevy Trax clearly has the most horsepower. The upgraded turbocharged engine in the 2021 Chevy Trax comes in with 155 horsepower, while the 2021 Honda HR-V only has 141 horsepower. This extra amount of horsepower is going to give the Chevy Trax more pep on the road, which will be especially handy whenever you are attempting to merge in traffic traveling at freeway speeds from the onramp. This additional horsepower will also be useful when jumping off the starting line at a stoplight or a stop sign. Thanks to the extra horsepower of the 2021 Chevy Trax, you will feel more confident driving in traffic, secure in the knowledge that you have more than enough horsepower to get out of your own way - something that cannot be said of the HR-V.
The value of that extra horsepower does not end just because you left paved roads behind. Dirt roads can be a ton of fun in a modern SUV. Nothing stirs the soul quite like driving down a dirt road and enjoying nature on your way to your favorite hiking trail or campground. The 2021 Chevy Trax is not a dedicated off-road vehicle, but it can take you places that you could never reach in a Honda HR-V. Take advantage of that extra horsepower and see where a life of adventure can really take you. Then when you're ready to face daily life once again, the Chevy Trax can easily transition to the calm and quiet paved roads of the city once more.

When comparing the 2021 Chevy Trax to the 2021 Honda HR-V, the upfront price point is almost identical. The 2021 Trax has a starting price of $21,400, and the 2021 HR-V has an MSRP of $21,200. The $200 price difference is almost negligible, especially when you consider any deals or specials your local dealer might be able to get you.
However, when you begin comparing the higher trim levels of these vehicles, the price point begins to change. The top-trim Chevy Trax LT starts at $23,200, while the equivalent Honda HR-V EX-L has an MSRP of $26,020. If you want a top-of-the-line vehicle that comes with all the bells and whistles you could ever want, all without spending an arm and a leg, then the 2021 Chevy Trax is the vehicle for you. When fully loaded, you will be saving nearly $3,000 choosing the Chevy over the Honda.
Now just because you're saving money doesn't mean you will be sacrificing quality. The fully loaded Chevy Trax comes with all the features you want in an SUV. This includes premium safety features such as Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear Parking Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert, and so much more. The top Honda HR-V trims also come with a lot of safety features that you want your SUV to have; however, when you can get all these safety features while also saving money, the Chevy Trax is the clear choice.
Moving beyond just safety features, the fully loaded Chevy Trax also comes with other features that you won't want to miss. For example, you'll have access to heated driver and passenger seats, the convenience of a keyless entry and engine starting option, and of course, access to OnStar and Chevrolet connected services. These options will allow you to utilize all the best OnStar services to give you the ultimate peace of mind.
Just a few of the OnStar services you can enjoy include access to auto theft detectives who can help you locate your vehicle should it ever get stolen. OnStar can also automatically call emergency services for you should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need help but are unable to call them yourself. OnStar roadside assistance even helps you with flat tires or empty gas tanks should you ever find yourself stranded. The Honda HR-V has a similar system called HondaLink, but it comes at a much higher price point than what is offered in the Chevy Trax.

When it comes to driving performance and bad-weather capability, the 2021 Chevy Trax beats out the 2021 Honda HR-V in more ways than just its more powerful engine. Sure, having 177 lb-ft of torque instead of only 127 lb-ft of torque will give the Trax an edge when dealing with any driving situation that you might encounter. However, a capable SUV needs more than just raw power to be a truly versatile vehicle.
For instance, the Trax comes with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that helps it better put its extra torque down to the ground. Meanwhile, the HR-V is handicapped by its continuously variable transmission (CVT). Designed for efficiency rather than performance, a CVT does not have fixed gear ratios. And while the HR-V transmission can simulate shifting gears and even offers paddle shifters in some trims, it will never provide you with the control that Chevy's traditional transmission with Driver Shift Control can.
When driving in bad weather or on back roads, you will often encounter obstacles in your path. Whether those are ruts and rock or fallen tree limbs, an SUV needs to be able to drive through them safely. That is why the Chevy Trax is available with underbody skid plates that protect key components of the vehicle. The more car-like Honda HR-V lacks this valuable feature and is best suited for traveling on clear roads.
All of this means that when you opt for the 2021 Chevy Trax vs the 2021 Honda HR-V, you will have a lower likelihood of getting stuck in a snow pile or a muddy ditch and a higher likelihood of moving forward no matter what the circumstances around you. Doesn't that sound better than having to call a tow truck or having to get out and dig yourself out? Yeah, we thought so too - after all, SUVs are supposed to be capable of handling this sort of stuff.