2021 Chevrolet Trax vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the robust Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel, though it felt more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax retained the design updates from its 2017 refresh, offering a straightforward and practical appearance. The Trax was available in LS and LT trims, with the Premier trim discontinued. The LS trim featured 16-inch aluminum wheels and basic amenities, while the LT trim added conveniences like heated mirrors and remote start. The Trax's interior was functional, with supportive front seats and multiple storage options, though the rear seats lacked comfort for long journeys. Cargo space was competitive for its class, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined ride, though it felt cumbersome on tight roads. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was available with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also featured off-road tech, including Land Rover's Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a single engine option, a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. While adequate for city driving, the Trax struggled to deliver power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers. Its firm ride was harsh over rough surfaces, but the Trax's tight turning radius made it maneuverable in urban settings. Competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more engaging driving experiences. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, increasing horsepower to 155 while maintaining the same torque output.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize ones. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space than its smaller rivals, with the Mercedes-Benz GLC providing more legroom and the BMW X3 offering more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models had a towing capacity of 5,511 pounds, while the base model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided ample headroom and legroom in both rows, though the rear seats lacked comfort for long trips. The front seats were supportive, and the Trax offered practical storage solutions, including multiple door trays and low cupholder placement. Cargo space was mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with them folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat to accommodate larger items, though the Trax did not offer a power liftgate option.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. Despite high-quality graphics, the system suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, offering easy-to-use menus and vivid graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot. The system was complemented by hard buttons and dials for ease of use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids, with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available as options. Land Rover's driver-assist offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features were limited to airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. Rivals offered more comprehensive safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, which were not available on the Trax.