Chevy Trax vs Hyundai Kona: 2026 Trax vs 2027 Kona Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The 2026 Chevy Trax and 2027 Hyundai Kona are small five-seat SUVs that start at $21,700 and $25,500. The Trax costs $3,800 less to start, is 7.3 inches longer and has more rear legroom. The Kona answers with AWD, a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim, more standard driver aids and a longer warranty. Here’s the side-by-side, using each maker’s published figures. For trims and pricing, see our Chevy Trax guide.
Quick Verdict
Pick the 2026 Trax for price and rear-seat room. The Trax LS starts at $21,700, $3,800 below the Kona SE FWD at $25,500 (before destination), and it has 38.7 inches of rear legroom versus 38.2. Even a Trax LT with adaptive cruise, blind-zone alert and heated seats starts $910 below a Kona SE. Pick the 2027 Kona if you want AWD, which the Trax doesn’t offer, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and blind-spot warning standard, a slightly higher EPA rating (31 vs 30 mpg) or Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for the original owner.
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How the 2026 Trax and 2027 Kona Match Up
The 2026 Trax is the newest Trax on sale. Chevrolet has announced a redesigned 2027 Trax for spring 2027 without pricing, so we compare the 2026 model. Hyundai calls the 2027 Kona a carry-over model. The Trax is longer: 178.6 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, versus 171.3 and 104.7 inches for the Kona.
Every Trax uses a 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder (137 hp, 162 lb-ft) with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. The Kona SE and SEL Sport use a 2.0L 4-cylinder (147 hp, 132 lb-ft) with a CVT. The SEL Premium and Limited get a 1.6L turbo with 190 hp, 195 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic. AWD is a $1,500 option on any Kona. Chevrolet says the Trax is not rated to tow, and Hyundai lists towing as “Not Recommended” for the Kona.
Base for base, the Trax LS costs $3,800 less than the Kona SE FWD. With destination ($1,795 vs $1,650), the gap is $3,655. The Kona SE comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, blind-spot warning and Smart Cruise Control, which the Trax LS lacks. A Trax LT with the LT Convenience ($595) and Driver Confidence ($795) packages has adaptive cruise, blind-zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, heated front seats and an 11-inch screen for $24,590 before destination. That’s $910 below the Kona SE FWD, or $765 with destination.
2026 Trax vs 2027 Kona Specs
| Spec | 2026 Chevy Trax | 2027 Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (FWD, excl. destination) | $21,700 (LS) | $25,500 (SE) |
| Destination charge | $1,795 | $1,650 |
| Starting price with destination | $23,495 | $27,150 |
| All-wheel drive | Not offered (FWD only) | Available, +$1,500 |
| Base engine / transmission | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl / 6-speed automatic | 2.0L 4-cyl / CVT (IVT) |
| Horsepower (base engine) | 137 hp | 147 hp |
| Torque (base engine) | 162 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| EPA combined (FWD, base engine) | 30 mpg (28/32/30) | 31 mpg (28/35/31) |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 25.6 cu ft | 25.5 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 54.1 cu ft | 63.7 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 38.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 6.7–6.9 in (FWD); 8.1–8.3 in (AWD) |
| Touchscreen | 8 in (LS, 1RS); 11 in (LT, 2RS, ACTIV) | 12.3 in, standard |
| Towing | Not rated to tow | Not recommended (Hyundai) |
| NHTSA overall rating | Not rated (2026: 4-star frontal, 4-star rollover) | 4 stars (2027) |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain) | 3 yr/36k; 5 yr/60k | 5 yr/60k; 10 yr/100k (original owner) |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (2026 Trax), hyundaiusa.com and Hyundai’s 2027 Kona price and spec sheets, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. MSRPs exclude destination (freight), tax, title, license and dealer fees; dealer sets final price. Kona power and fuel economy are shown for the 2.0L; the 1.6L turbo is rated 190 hp and 28 mpg combined (FWD). EPA figures are estimates. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Starting price, FWD (excl. destination)
MSRP before destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,650 Hyundai). Lower is better.
EPA combined fuel economy
Cargo space
AWD, Winter and the Trax
Every Trax is front-wheel drive. Hyundai offers HTRAC AWD on any Kona for $1,500. AWD Konas add a multi-link rear suspension, a Snow mode and more ground clearance: 8.1 to 8.3 inches, versus 6.7 to 6.9 inches for a front-drive Kona. If AWD is on your list for winter trips up I-70, the Kona offers it and the Trax does not.
Front-drive to front-drive, the Trax has more ground clearance, with 7.3 inches on every trim. Chevrolet offers a $125 engine block heater for the Trax, and it points AWD shoppers to the 2026 Trailblazer, which is available with AWD.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the 2026 Chevy Trax if you want
- A lower starting price: $21,700 vs $25,500 for the Kona SE FWD
- More rear legroom: 38.7 in vs 38.2 in
- A longer body (178.6 in) and slightly more cargo room behind the rear seat (25.6 vs 25.5 cu ft)
- More torque from the standard engine: 162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft
- More ground clearance than a front-drive Kona: 7.3 in vs 6.7–6.9 in
Choose the 2027 Hyundai Kona if you want
- AWD, available on every trim for $1,500
- A 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim
- Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic avoidance standard on every trim
- An available 190-hp turbo engine and more max cargo space (63.7 vs 54.1 cu ft)
- A 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (original owner)
Interior and Technology
Every Trax has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. LS and 1RS models use an 8-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch driver display; LT, 2RS and ACTIV get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display. Every Kona has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Its driver display is a 4.2-inch screen on SE, SEL Sport and SEL Premium and a 12.3-inch digital cluster on the Limited.
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. The Driver Confidence Package adds blind-zone and rear cross traffic alerts, plus adaptive cruise on LT, 2RS and ACTIV. Hyundai SmartSense is standard on the Kona, with forward collision-avoidance, lane keeping and lane following assist, blind-spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance on every trim. Neither lists a hands-free driving system.
The Bottom Line
The Trax is the value play. It starts $3,800 lower, has more rear legroom and a longer body, and a well-equipped LT still comes in under a base Kona. The Kona costs more but offers AWD, a bigger standard screen, more standard driver aids and a longer warranty. Check current Chevrolet offers, see what your current vehicle is worth with a trade-in appraisal, or browse 2026 Trax inventory.
Our honest pick: the Trax if front-wheel drive works for you and you want the lower price and roomier back seat. The Kona if you need AWD, want more tech standard or value Hyundai’s longer powertrain coverage.
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Chevy Trax vs Hyundai Kona FAQ
Is the Chevy Trax cheaper than the Hyundai Kona?
Yes. The 2026 Trax LS starts at $21,700 and the 2027 Kona SE FWD at $25,500, before destination ($1,795 and $1,650). With destination: $23,495 vs $27,150. See current Chevrolet offers.
Can I get the Trax with AWD?
No. Every 2026 Trax is front-wheel drive, and Chevrolet says the 2027 Trax will be FWD across all models. The Kona offers AWD on every trim for $1,500.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Kona 2.0L FWD is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined (28 city / 35 highway). The Trax is EPA-estimated at 30 combined (28/32). With AWD, the Kona 2.0L is rated 27 combined.
How do their safety ratings compare?
NHTSA gives the 2027 Kona a 4-star overall rating. The 2026 Trax has no NHTSA overall rating; it has 4-star frontal and 4-star rollover ratings. IIHS named the 2026 Kona a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ and hasn’t posted 2027 Kona results yet.
Can either one tow?
Chevrolet says the 2026 Trax is not rated to tow. Hyundai lists towing as “Not Recommended” for the 2027 Kona.
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.