The compact crossover SUV market is red hot right now and with good reason. Drivers who want more space, efficient handling, and sporty looks in a package that’s easy to drive and suitable for urban environments need look no further than two of the top choices from America: the 2024 Chevy Trax and the 2024 Ford Escape. While the recently redesigned 2024 Trax is a bargain, we think that the Escape delivers so much more that it easily justifies the slightly higher price of entry.
Key Takeaways
- The Chevy Trax was completely redesigned for 2024 and has a very low starting price of just $21,495.
- The Trax’s low price means that it has some limitations, such as a single lackluster engine and the total lack of an all-wheel drive option.
- The 2024 Escape has multiple powertrain options, one of which is sure to appeal to every buyer, including fuel efficient and eco-friendly hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid variants.
Is the Trax underpowered?
The Chevy Trax is one of the most affordable crossover SUVs sold today, which is great for consumers, but to reach that milestone, some compromises were made by the bowtie brand. Perhaps the biggest drawback versus the Escape is the Trax’s powertrain. Just one engine is available: a tiny 1.2-liter 3-cylinder that makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.
In a Car and Driver test, the Trax took a full 8.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is fairly sluggish by modern standards. Buyers who live in snowy climates or drive unpaved roads should also note the Trax is not available with all-wheel drive for any price.
Focusing on the 2024 Escape, we find a1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder making 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque as standard equipment. However, Escape buyers with a yearn for a more zesty driving experience can opt for an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. With this optional power plant, Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 5.6 seconds, handily beating the Trax by more than three seconds.
The Escape has two hybrids to the Trax’s none
If fuel efficiency and saving the environment is high on your list of concerns, consider that the 2024 Escape offers not one, but two hybrid models. The conventional 2024 Escape Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a pair of electric motors. That combination delivers a stellar 42 miles per gallon around town and 36 mpg out on the highway.
Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid Escape can travel 37 miles using its battery alone and no fuel, after which time a gasoline engine kicks in. Charging an empty battery can be accomplished overnight from a standard household electrical outlet or within a few hours with an available 240-volt Level 2 charger.
Is the 2024 Escape bigger than the 2024 Chevy Trax?
Don’t be fooled by the compact crossover moniker — both of these SUVs are roomy enough for family taxi duties and hopefully some exciting long road trips, too. That said, the 2024 Ford Escape is slightly larger inside than the 2024 Chevy Trax, especially in the cargo area.
Front seat legroom is 42.4 inches for the Ford and 41.9 inches in the Chevy. Likewise, the rear seat legroom is 40.7 inches in the Escape and 38.7 inches inside the Equinox.
Finally, the Escape’s cargo area offers 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seat upright or 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Compare that to 25.6 cubic feet and 54.1 cubic feet for the Trax, respectively.
Infotainment and technology
Modern car buyers are obsessed with having cutting edge technology and in that department, the 2024 Escape and 2024 Chevy Trax are very evenly matched.
Inside the Escape, more basic trim levels come standard with an 8-inch infotainment screen, with the option for a giant 13.2-inch screen that’s standard on higher trims like the Platinum and PHEV. Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay capability are included, natch. There’s also an available wireless charging pad to eliminate unsightly cables.
Pretty much everything written above applies to the Trax as well, except its infotainment screen is 8-inch on entry level models and 11-inch on more pricey variants. Like the Escape, the 2024 Trax also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an optional wireless smartphone charger and Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Chevy Trax is less expensive
Pricing for the 2024 Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,495 and tops out at $24,995 depending on the trim level and options. At first glance, the 2024 Ford Escape seems more expensive with a price range of $30,990 to $41,995 depending on the trim and options. However, price and value are two different things and we think the Escape delivers the latter in buckets. Note that all prices include mandatory destination fees.
In closing, if you’re looking for a hybrid SUV or one with all-wheel drive, you won’t find those qualities in the Trax, not to mention that the 2024 Escape’s cabin is more spacious for people and cargo both. If you think we’re biased, stop by our showroom today to see why the Escape has been one of the most popular small SUVs for more than 20 years. Let our courteous and professional staff take you on a test drive today.