Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Chevrolet Trax

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V 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 Honda HR-V 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 Honda HR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Honda HR-V is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chevrolet Trax, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	HR-V	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	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-36 MPH	-3 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	1.3 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Chevrolet Trax which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The HR-V EX-L has a standard Low Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Trax doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The HR-V offers 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 HR-V’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Trax doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The HR-V EX-L has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Trax doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The HR-V’s 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 HR-V and the Trax have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the HR-V is much safer than the Trax:

	HR-V	Trax
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Honda HR-V is safer than the Trax:

	HR-V	Trax
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	139	476
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.57 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	937 lbs.	1227 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	186	424
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.46 in	1.57 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	625 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Trax is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The HR-V’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 HR-V’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 HR-V’s reliability 26 points higher than the Trax.

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

Engine

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (158 vs. 137) than the Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda HR-V is faster than the Chevrolet Trax:

	HR-V	Trax
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	9.9 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.7 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17.3 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.8 MPH	78.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The HR-V 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 HR-V 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 HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Trax:

	HR-V	Trax
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.3 inches

The HR-V stops shorter than the Trax:

	HR-V	Trax
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-V 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 HR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The Trax’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Trax.

The HR-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Trax’s (61% to 39%). This gives the HR-V more stable handling and braking.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Trax ACTIV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Trax’s (35.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The HR-V Sport’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Trax’s (37 feet vs. 38 feet).

Passenger Space

The HR-V has 1.9 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trax.

Cargo Capacity

The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Trax with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

Ergonomics

The HR-V’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Trax’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The HR-V Sport/EX-L’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Trax can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The HR-V has standard Push Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start costs extra on the Trax.

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 HR-V’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Trax’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The HR-V EX-L’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trax doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The HR-V EX-L’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 HR-V’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 HR-V offers the driver hands free control of the radio by simply speaking. The Trax doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Trax isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2024 issue and they ranked the Honda HR-V EX-L AWD higher than the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV.

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