2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced for the 2015 model year, 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 by 2021, the Premier trim level was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, and upgraded seats.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting nicely with the rest of the Volvo lineup. The XC40 Recharge was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The interior was minimalist with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents melding together seamlessly.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and was notably noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided good maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. The Recharge featured one electric motor per axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats. The front featured 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, expanding 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 Volvo XC40, including the Recharge, had less legroom and headroom compared to rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, which was a highlight of the vehicle. The system had easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and was complemented by hard buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability, allowing for updates to the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. The Recharge lacked a start button, instead allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but the Trax lacked many advanced driver-assistance features available in rivals.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a long list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite and software, scalable for future advanced driver aids.