2021 Chevrolet Trax vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 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 heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, roof rails, LED lights, and upgraded seats, among other features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse had a more traditional SUV look with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille. Different trim levels had unique styling details, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country model. The Traverse shared a platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6 but aimed for a more blue-collar feel. The interior featured restrained styling, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that were good but not exceptional for its price range.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine was adequate for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking, though it didn't feel particularly strong off the line. The Traverse offered a quiet cabin and a comfortable ride on highways, but it lacked agility on twisty roads. The AWD system required manual activation and could send torque to individual wheels, but its impact on handling was minimal. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity with the tow/haul mode engaged.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seats. It had multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse could seat seven or eight, depending on the second-row configuration. It offered above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate available on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, standard Apple CarPlay and 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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse retained analog controls for audio and climate, which were user-friendly. It also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, with wireless phone charging standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked many standard driver-assist features found in rivals.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features than competitors, with many features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking available only on higher trims.