2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, which retained many of its design elements from its 2017 overhaul, was a compact SUV that aimed to blend functionality with modern tech. This model continued to carry over updates such as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 2021 iteration saw the discontinuation of the Premier trim, leaving buyers with the LS and LT trims.

The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth seats, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featured on a 7-inch touchscreen, was the centerpiece, supported by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A $495 package could add tinted windows and cruise control to the LS, amenities that were often standard on competitors.

The LT trim provided more luxury and convenience, incorporating heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. Interior upgrades included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Customization was a theme with the LT trim, which offered Redline, Sport, and Midnight Editions, alongside a Driver Confidence Package and an LT Convenience Package, adding advanced driver assistance features and more lavish interior amenities.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda CR-V, while resembling many of its compact crossover peers in terms of general silhouette and design, offered subtle differentiators to set itself apart. The grille, chromed plastic accents, and trim-specific details provided a touch of Honda’s identity. However, for the most part, the CR-V's aesthetic appeal was not its primary selling point.

The CR-V's color options included eight hues, but many were variations of gray, with black and white predominantly available. Tougher-to-find colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic added some flair to higher trims. The interior, available in black, gray, and ivory leather or cloth, increased in sophistication with higher trims, introducing wood panels and chrome accents for a more refined look. The seating design was modern, featuring angular lines and sharp details. Competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson often provided more distinctive looks, especially in the mid-tier trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax housed a single-engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that generated 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, could be configured with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

In urban settings, the engine sufficed, managing basic tasks like navigating parking lots or accelerating from stoplights comfortably. However, on highways, it struggled, particularly in passing situations, where it produced noticeable noise. With a firm ride, comfort was sacrificed, especially over potholes and rough roads. Yet, its tight turning radius favored city maneuverability. In contrast, rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered a more comfortable and engaging driving experience. The anticipated 2022 Trax promised a retuned engine with 155 horsepower, maintaining the same torque levels.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, driven by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across its nine trims (excluding hybrids), wasn't designed for rapid acceleration or thrilling cornering. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, a practical speed for merging onto highways or overtaking.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) came standard, which held engine revs steady as it accelerated. This did not cater to those seeking an engaging driving experience. Competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered conventional eight-speed automatics with sport modes in higher trims for enhanced driving enjoyment. The CR-V’s standard front-wheel drive (FWD) had AWD as an optional feature, unlike the Subaru Forester, which included AWD as standard.

The CR-V's unitized body structure, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, delivered predictable handling and a decent ride quality. It matched the industry norms for a compact crossover.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered a decent amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. While the front seats provided adequate support, the rear seats lacked in comfort and bolstering for long journeys. Multiple storage compartments were found in the front doors, and the low-placed cupholders could accommodate large water bottles without obstructing the driver’s elbow.

Cargo capacity stood at 18.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up, extending to 48.4 cubic feet when the seats were folded. This middle-tier cargo capacity for the subcompact SUV segment was practical, although it fell short compared to some larger competitors. One downside was the absence of power or hands-free liftgate options.

The Honda CR-V’s design focused on functionality, aiming to comfortably accommodate five passengers along with their gear. With 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, it had four cubic feet more than the Toyota RAV4. Cargo space outshone even the RAV4, boasting 75.8 cubic feet of total volume, enough for extensive luggage.

Depending on the trim, accessing the cargo area varied. Lower trims like the LX and EX had manual tailgates, while the EX-L included a power tailgate, operable by remote or a button on the tailgate itself. The Touring trim featured a hands-free power tailgate, allowing users to open it with a foot swipe under the bumper. For roof cargo, only the top-tier Touring trim included standard roof rails, while many competing models like Subaru provided roof rails in most trims.

For 2021, the Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system across both its trims. Introduced in the 2020 model year, this system highlighted the Trax with its user-friendly menus, sharp graphics, and physical buttons surrounding the screen. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, voice control, and a WiFi hotspot.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda CR-V’s base LX model had a diminutive 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, offering very basic tech features. Stepping up from the LX, all other CR-V trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions.

The Special Edition and EX trims incorporated a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, whereas the EX-L advanced with eight speakers. The Touring trim stood out with a 300-watt system, including a subwoofer. From the EX trim onward, buyers enjoyed Sirius XM and HD radio, with the Touring having an exclusive satellite navigation system with voice recognition.

Excluding the base LX, charging ports were abundant, including 1-amp and 1.5-amp USB ports in the front console, a 12-volt outlet in the center console, and a pair of 2.5-amp USB ports in the second row. The Touring trim uniquely offered a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax earned a commendable five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not receive accolades from the IIHS. Standard safety equipment was limited to airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package could add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but crucial safety features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warnings were not available, even as options.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, obtaining a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, although it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to variations in headlight performance and the updated side crash test. However, it got the top “Good” rating in the original side crash test and an “Acceptable” score for LATCH system ease of use.

Honda made its advanced safety features a standard across all trims through the Honda Sensing suite. This included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature absent on the base LX was blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, standard from the EX trim upward.