Ford Escape vs Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet introduced a near-complete overhaul of the Trax for 2024, rendering it almost unrecognizable compared to its earlier version. The 2024 Trax was longer, lower, and wider, showcasing design cues reminiscent of the mid-sized Chevy Blazer. With a gaping grille and a bold step between the rear body sides and windows, the 2024 Trax exhibited a modern and commanding presence that set it apart from competitors like the boxy Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. Base models featured 17-inch steel wheels, but higher trims like the Trax Activ boasted more rugged aesthetics with faux skid plates, while the RS variant delivered a sportier look with extra blacked-out trim. Inside, the entry-level Trax LS sported a mostly plastic interior with cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered Evotex upholstery and added stylistic features such as yellow contrast stitching for the Activ and piano-black plastic for the RS.

Similarly, Ford aimed to revitalize the Escape in 2023 and carried those updates into 2024, giving it a more aggressive front end and a revised trim lineup. The changes included new wheel designs and an updated array of infotainment and safety features. The overall soft and generally appealing look persisted despite the more assertive front fascia. The 2024 Escape was available in multiple trims, including the sporty-looking ST-Line models, which emphasized a dynamic exterior look but lacked the corresponding aggressive driving dynamics that one might anticipate. The higher trims, such as the ST-Line Elite, added more upscale features but suffered from overly glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery that detracted from the luxurious feel.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a downsized 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque—less powerful than its predecessor's 1.4-liter engine but designed to deliver better acceleration and minimal turbo lag. The engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, provided a spirited drive with impressive low-end torque and a smooth highway overtaking capability. Despite significant body roll, the Trax’s handling felt nimble and more car-like, with active noise cancellation contributing to a refined driving experience.

Ford's 2024 Escape, particularly the ST-Line Elite model, offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a robust 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The test model, equipped with the turbo engine and all-wheel drive, exhibited quick acceleration and solid towing capability up to 3,500 pounds. However, ST-Line’s handling did not live up to its sporty appearance, with a soft ride, too much body motion, and sluggish steering. The hybrid version offered better fuel efficiency but less overall performance compared to the turbo model.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax’s larger dimensions did not consistently translate to increased interior space. While rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, front-seat legroom saw only a slight improvement, and headroom actually decreased in the second row. Moreover, shoulder room decreased, causing a snugger fit. Nevertheless, it offered competitive passenger space and notable rear-seat comfort for its class. Cargo capacity increased to 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, thereby offering more space than competitors like the Hyundai Venue and closely matching the Nissan Kicks.

Conversely, the Ford Escape ST-Line provided a more sophisticated interior with ambient lighting and numerous comfort features, but limited interior color options to black. The ST-Line Elite's leather seats, despite their premium appearance, felt less comfortable. Front seats in the Escape were large and supportive, with convenient entry and exit. The cargo area was more accommodating than the Trax, with 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the back seats (34.4 cubic feet in the hybrid) and up to 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down (60.8 cubic feet in the hybrid).

Chevrolet upgraded the Trax’s technology suite for 2024, introducing an 8-inch touchscreen on LS and 1RS trims and an 11-inch touchscreen on higher trims like LT, 2RS, and Activ. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi connectivity were new additions, with wireless phone charging available as an option. The infotainment systems boasted user-friendly interfaces and clear graphics, although some controls were less accessible for front-seat passengers. The higher trims also featured additional USB ports to ensure a connected driving experience.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with standard digital instrumentation, featuring a 12.3-inch display on upper trims and an impressive 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system with an intuitive layout. However, thin fonts and a washed-out color theme slightly marred its usability. Ford's incorporation of climate controls into the screen was not ideal. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa on higher trims.

Both vehicles came equipped with an extensive array of safety features. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered standard automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Trax also included Chevy's Teen Driver system, aimed at improving driving safety for teenagers.

The 2024 Ford Escape included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which provided forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The higher trims featured adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Despite some inconsistencies in lane-keeping performance, the system worked well on highways.