2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and fun. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV appearance. Inside, the CR-V’s interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics. The base model started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels available, each offering a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. Standard features included 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger wheels and additional amenities like a retractable moonroof and roof rails available in higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the model introduced in 2015, received updates in 2017 and continued with those changes in 2021. The Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, roof rails, LED lights, and upgraded seats. The LT also offered styling packages and a Driver Confidence Package with additional driver assistance features. The Trax’s design updates and available features made it a practical choice for city driving.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a responsive and quick driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance. Fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models rated at 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models at 29 mpg. The CR-V also offered a hybrid version for those seeking even better fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was sufficient for city driving, it struggled to provide adequate power for highway speeds and passing. The Trax’s firm ride could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and better driving experiences. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax with 155 horsepower.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with good head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The cargo compartment offered 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, and a two-position load floor provided flexibility for different cargo needs. The center console and door pockets were designed for maximum storage, making the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, though the rear seats lacked comfort for long distances. The front seats were supportive, and the Trax featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, the Trax lacked options for a power liftgate.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. The CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in higher trims and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, which featured easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot. This made the Trax’s infotainment system one of its highlights.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the “Honda Sensing” system as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five stars from NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. The Trax lacked many standard driver safety features found in rivals, such as forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking.