Chevy Trax vs Honda HR-V: 2026 Trax vs 2027 HR-V Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
Shopping small SUVs around Denver? The 2026 Chevy Trax and 2027 Honda HR-V are within 1.2 inches of each other in length, but they take different paths. The Trax starts $4,900 lower, has more rear legroom and earns a higher EPA combined rating. The HR-V offers AWD, more horsepower, standard adaptive cruise and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating. For Trax trims and pricing, see our Chevy Trax guide.
Quick Verdict
Pick the 2026 Trax if price and space for the money come first. The Trax LS starts at $21,700, $4,900 below the HR-V LX FWD at $26,600 (both before destination). It has 1 inch more rear legroom, more cargo room behind the rear seat and a 30 mpg EPA combined rating versus 28. Pick the 2027 HR-V if you need AWD, which the front-drive Trax doesn’t offer, or want adaptive cruise and a wireless phone charger standard on every trim. The HR-V also holds a 5-star NHTSA overall rating; the 2026 Trax has no overall rating.
Shop the Trax at Emich Chevrolet
New 2026 Trax models on our Lakewood lot, with real-time pricing and current Chevrolet offers.
How the 2026 Trax and 2027 HR-V Match Up
The 2026 Trax is the newest Trax on sale. Chevrolet has announced a redesigned 2027 Trax for spring 2027, but it has no pricing yet, so this page compares the 2026 model. Honda’s current model is the 2027 HR-V. Both seat five, and the HR-V is 1.2 inches longer (179.8 vs 178.6 inches).
The Trax uses a 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque and a 6-speed automatic. The HR-V uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft and a CVT. The HR-V has more horsepower. The Trax has more torque, and it peaks at 2,500 rpm versus 4,200 rpm in the Honda. Chevrolet says the Trax is not rated to tow. Honda publishes no tow rating for the HR-V.
Base for base, the Trax LS ($21,700) costs $4,900 less than the HR-V LX FWD ($26,600). With destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,550 Honda), the gap is $4,655. The HR-V LX includes adaptive cruise and a wireless charger, which the Trax LS lacks. A closer match is a Trax LT with the LT Convenience Package ($595) and Driver Confidence Package ($795). At $24,590 before destination, it has adaptive cruise, blind-zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, heated front seats and an 11-inch touchscreen. That’s still $2,010 below the HR-V LX FWD ($1,765 with destination), and Honda doesn’t offer blind-spot information on the LX.
2026 Trax vs 2027 HR-V Specs
| Spec | 2026 Chevy Trax | 2027 Honda HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (FWD, excl. destination) | $21,700 (LS) | $26,600 (LX) |
| Destination charge | $1,795 | $1,550 |
| Starting price with destination | $23,495 | $28,150 |
| All-wheel drive | Not offered (FWD only) | Available, +$1,500 |
| Engine / transmission | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl / 6-speed automatic | 2.0L 4-cyl / CVT |
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft | 138 lb-ft |
| EPA city/hwy/combined (FWD) | 28/32/30 mpg | 26/32/28 mpg |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 25.6 cu ft | 24.4 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 54.1 cu ft | 55.1 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 37.7 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 7.0 in (LX, EX-L); 7.3 in (Sport) |
| Touchscreen | 8 in (LS, 1RS); 11 in (LT, 2RS, ACTIV) | 9 in, standard |
| Towing | Not rated to tow | Not published |
| NHTSA overall rating | Not rated (2026: 4-star frontal, 4-star rollover) | 5 stars (2027) |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain) | 3 yr/36k; 5 yr/60k | 3 yr/36k; 5 yr/60k |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (2026 Trax), honda.com and Honda News (2027 HR-V), fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. MSRPs exclude destination, tax, title, license and dealer fees; dealer sets final price. EPA figures are estimates; Chevrolet publishes 28/32/30 mpg for the Trax. Honda warranty terms are from its 2026 warranty booklet. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Starting price, FWD (excl. destination)
MSRP before destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,550 Honda). Lower is better.
EPA combined fuel economy
Cargo space
No AWD on the Trax: What That Means
Every Trax is front-wheel drive. Honda offers Real Time AWD on every HR-V trim for $1,500, and the HR-V’s drive modes include Snow. If AWD is on your list for winter trips up I-70, the HR-V offers it and the Trax does not.
Chevrolet points AWD shoppers to the 2026 Trailblazer, which is available with AWD. If you stay with the Trax, Chevrolet offers an engine block heater for $125. Every Trax has 7.3 inches of ground clearance; the HR-V has 7.0 inches on LX and EX-L and 7.3 inches on Sport.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the 2026 Chevy Trax if you want
- A lower starting price: $21,700 for the LS vs $26,600 for the HR-V LX FWD
- A higher EPA rating: 30 mpg combined vs 28
- More rear legroom (38.7 vs 37.7 in) and more cargo room behind the rear seat (25.6 vs 24.4 cu ft)
- An 11-inch touchscreen on LT, 2RS and ACTIV
- More torque: 162 lb-ft, peaking at 2,500 rpm
Choose the 2027 Honda HR-V if you want
- AWD, available on every trim for $1,500
- More horsepower: 158 vs 137
- Adaptive cruise and a wireless phone charger standard on every trim
- A 5-star NHTSA overall rating and an IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+
- A little more cargo room with the rear seat folded: 55.1 vs 54.1 cu ft
Interior and Technology
Every Trax has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LS and 1RS use an 8-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch driver display; the LT, 2RS and ACTIV get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display. The HR-V has a 9-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch driver display, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger on every trim. On the Trax, wireless charging comes only with the Sunroof Package on LT, 2RS and ACTIV.
Chevy Safety Assist is standard on every Trax: automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert and IntelliBeam. Blind-zone alert and rear cross traffic alert come in the Driver Confidence Package on any trim. Honda Sensing is standard on the HR-V, including adaptive cruise with low-speed follow and Traffic Jam Assist; blind-spot information is on Sport and EX-L only. Neither lists a hands-free driving system.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Trax gives you more rear legroom, a higher EPA rating and a much lower starting price. Even a Trax LT with adaptive cruise and heated seats starts below a base HR-V. The HR-V costs more, but it offers AWD, more horsepower and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating. Check current Chevrolet offers, see what your current vehicle is worth with a trade-in appraisal, or browse 2026 Trax inventory.
Our honest pick: choose the Trax for value, fuel economy and back-seat space in a front-drive SUV. Choose the HR-V if you need AWD or want more driver aids standard and don’t mind paying about $4,900 more to start.
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Chevy Trax vs Honda HR-V FAQ
Is the Chevy Trax cheaper than the Honda HR-V?
Yes. The 2026 Trax LS starts at $21,700 and the 2027 HR-V LX FWD at $26,600, both before destination ($1,795 and $1,550). With destination, that’s $23,495 vs $28,150. Ask about current Chevrolet offers.
Does the Trax come with AWD like the HR-V?
No. The 2026 Trax is front-wheel drive only, and Chevrolet says the 2027 Trax will be FWD across all models. The HR-V offers AWD on every trim for $1,500.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Trax. It’s EPA-estimated at 28 city / 32 highway / 30 combined mpg. The HR-V FWD is rated 26/32/28 and the HR-V AWD 25/30/27.
Which has more room inside?
The Trax has more rear legroom (38.7 vs 37.7 in) and more cargo space behind the rear seat (25.6 vs 24.4 cu ft). The HR-V has slightly more with the seat folded (55.1 vs 54.1 cu ft).
Should I wait for the 2027 Trax?
Chevrolet says the redesigned 2027 Trax arrives in spring 2027 with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and Google built-in, which requires a service plan. Pricing isn’t out yet. The 2026 Trax is on sale now, so you can compare real prices today.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2026 Trax page and 2027 Trax preview, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 19, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. Driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle safely; read the owner’s manual for feature limitations. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles.