Chevrolet Trax vs Toyota RAV4

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent an astounding transformation compared to its predecessor. Chevy's design team implemented the classic "longer, lower, wider" principle. The new Trax stretched 11 inches longer, almost six inches in wheelbase, four inches lower, and two inches wider than the previous model. Visually, it borrowed some sharp styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, notably the expansive grille and stepped rear body design. These changes bestowed the Trax with a significant road presence, easily differentiating it from boxy competitors like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks.

The base Trax LS came with 17-inch steel wheels, but 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum options existed on higher trims. The Activ and RS trims brought more rugged and sporty aesthetics respectively, with the Activ featuring faux skid plates and the RS showcasing blacked-out trim for a sleeker look. Inside, the Trax LS offered standard cloth upholstery and a primarily plastic interior, jazzed up with some design twists. Higher trims received Evotex upholstery that mimicked leather and sported unique styling elements, though piano-black trim on the RS wasn’t the most practical due to smudging and heat retention.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a rugged yet stylish outlook. Its aggressive front fascia gave the impression of tough off-road capabilities, which the lower gray body cladding and dual exhaust outlets reinforced. The TRD Off-Road trim we tested came with unique off-road suspensions, a skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch black alloy wheels, signifying its adventurous spirit.

Inside, the TRD Off-Road RAV4 featured utilitarian, yet somewhat sophisticated design elements like SofTex artificial leather seats and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trims offered luxuries, including heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Overall, the RAV4’s interior emphasized durability with practical storage solutions and robust control knobs, creating a no-nonsense environment suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax shared merely one engine option: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This replaced the older 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which generated 155 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Despite the lower power output, Chevy claimed the new engine could achieve 0-60 mph about a second faster than the old one.

The carryover six-speed automatic transmission was available solely with front-wheel drive, differing from the previous version that offered all-wheel drive. The Trax’s car-like tunings, wider track, and agile handling made it feel more like a hatchback than a utilitarian crossover, enabling predictable and nimble driving experiences.

By contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine developing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission offered smooth power delivery to either the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Our TRD Off-Road test model featured off-road suspension tuning and Multi-Terrain Select with Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes.

Off-road, the RAV4 demonstrated commendable abilities but was susceptible to minor front fascia damage from unforeseen obstacles. However, the off-road suspension excelled in absorbing everyday bumps, enhancing ride comfort. On straight highways, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems performed adequately, but twisty roads revealed the limitations of the technology, prompting frequent deactivation.

Importantly, the RAV4 achieved a combined 28 mpg according to EPA ratings. Nevertheless, the hybrid models, such as the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, promised significantly better fuel efficiency, rated at 37 mpg.

The new 2024 Chevrolet Trax boasted increased overall dimensions but offered mixed results in interior space. Rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, slightly improving front-seat legroom, though first-row headroom stayed the same while second-row headroom decreased slightly by 0.7 inches. Occupants also faced decreased shoulder room, hinting at snug seating positions similar to other GM subcompact crossovers.

Compared to rivals, the Trax matched passenger space closely with the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, though it excelled with the most rear-seat legroom among them. Its low driving position afforded excellent visibility and a car-like feel. For cargo, the Trax improved significantly, offering 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.1 cubic feet when folded, surpassing the Venue but slightly bettering the Kicks.

On the 2024 Toyota RAV4, practicality was the defining element. The interior featured ample storage solutions and oversized control knobs for ease of use. TRD Off-Road models included durable SofTex upholstery, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, and ample rear legroom with convenient amenities such as rear air conditioning vents and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with them folded. These figures made the RAV4 a standout in the compact crossover segment, accommodating a wide range of gear and luggage for recreational activities.

2024 brought substantial tech upgrades to the Chevrolet Trax. LS and 1RS trims featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen, whereas LT, 2RS, and Activ trims were equipped with an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone charging marked new entries, alongside retained Wi-Fi connectivity.

The infotainment system, particularly the larger screen variant, impressed with crisp graphics and intuitive menus, though its driver-oriented tilt and inconvenient control placements could hinder passenger usage. The digital instrument cluster simplified information access, enhancing the driving experience. USB ports were generously provided, including two front ports and two rear ports in higher trims.

Toyota RAV4’s infotainment leveraged Toyota’s latest multimedia technology. The base design included an 8-inch screen, upgradable to a 10.5-inch display, and offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services plans. Safety Connect and Service Connect were free for ten years, while other plans like Remote Connect and Drive Connect offered additional features like remote access and cloud-based navigation for a year.

Though effective, some limitations existed, such as no multi-panel Home screen and an overdelicate font. The conversational digital voice assistant displayed excellent performance despite minor nuances like volume adjustments and specific data parsing issues. A JBL premium audio system was optional, complementing the standard audio, while a digital rear-view mirror and panoramic surround-view camera provided enhanced visibility in higher trims.

Safety for the 2024 Chevrolet Trax anticipated modern driver-assist features though official crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable. Standard safety equipment included 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 extended to adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Teen Driver system also came standard, offering unique protections and driving behavior reports for young drivers.

For the Toyota RAV4, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) provided comprehensive ADAS features. However, critical functions like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were absent from the base LE trim. During testing, the TSS 2.5 system demonstrated adequate, though sometimes intrusive, lane-centering performance on curved roads but proved smoother on straight highways. Adaptive cruise control managed highway traffic well, albeit with cautious braking in close-gap situations.

Despite its advanced features, the 2024 RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from IIHS due to reduced ratings in small overlap frontal-impact and side-impact tests, hinting at the aging design and engineering elements needing modernization.