2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the ability to fold down the windshield and remove the doors. The removable top added to its rugged persona, making it more of a "recreational utility vehicle" than a commuter car. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, balancing ergonomic shortcomings with a dash of style. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, received updates in 2017 and continued to offer standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS featured 16-inch aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3. The LT added heated mirrors, roof rails, and upgraded seats. Styling packages and driver assistance features were available for the LT, enhancing its appeal.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provided 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel delivered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making highway driving and off-road adventures a breeze. Despite its rough ride and road noise, the Wrangler excelled off-road with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the 4-cylinder turbo returned 21 mpg city, 22 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax had a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, especially over potholes, 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 performance.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door model was more popular, offering features like removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a retractable or removable roof. The base soft top could be retracted partially or fully, while the hardtop provided more protection. The Sky One-Touch roof offered a retractable cloth roof without manual effort. With the rear bench folded flat, the Wrangler Unlimited had about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some less-capable SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seats. It featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. The Trax offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space 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. These cargo figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and real-time updates was available, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot. The system had easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics, complemented by hard buttons and dials.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler included standard airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. Automatic high beams were also available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five stars from the NHTSA but lacked a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning, which were standard in many rivals.