2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 came in six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the luxurious RAV4 Limited, introducing an array of options for varied budgets. The design retained its 2019 roots, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims standing out due to their unique two-part front fascia.

In our test drive, the RAV4 Adventure trim impressed with its more aggressive grille design, blacked-out wheels, and faux skid plate enhancements. However, despite its rugged looks—embellished with bold black cladding—the Adventure trim remained more about appearances than practical off-road capabilities. Inside, orange accents livened up an otherwise straightforward interior, with the seats featuring an orange stripe and contrast stitching.

The interior of our RAV4 featured a frameless rearview mirror, lending a premium touch. While the Adventure trim offered a simplistic cabin, those yearning for a more upscale vibe might have considered the Toyota Venza.

Interior choices started with fabric seats on the LE and XLE trims. The XLE Premium trim upgraded passengers to SofTex synthetic leather upholstery. Depending on the trim, seat adjustments varied from manual to power-adjustable, with the higher trims offering heated, ventilated front seats, seating memory for the driver, and optional heated rear seats and steering wheel. Features like dual-zone climate control were standard across most trims, ensuring passenger comfort.

Chevrolet's 2024 Trax presented a radical departure from its predecessor, aligning itself with the design principles of "longer, lower, wider." The new model was lengthened by 11 inches, lowered by four inches, and widened by two inches, borrowing elements from the Chevy Blazer, such as a prominent grille and a defined rear step line.

The base Trax LS rolled on 17-inch steel wheels, with 18- and 19-inch aluminum options available on higher trims. The Activ and RS trims aimed at rugged and sporty aesthetics, respectively. The Trax Activ’s design was subtle, with faux skid plates, whereas the RS trim flaunted blacked-out trims, accentuating its sportier appeal.

Inside, the base LS trim featured cloth upholstery and a plastic-dominated interior, sprinkled with unique design elements like freestanding touchscreen and prominent air vents. Higher trims shifted to Evotex upholstery, mimicking leather but resembling activewear. Contrasting stitching and piano-black accents provided varied interior themes, though the latter proved impractical for everyday use due to smudging and heat absorption.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a single gas-powered engine—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, except for the AWD-only Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. Shoppers could choose AWD for any trim, which included Snow Mode. Hybrid powertrains were exclusively AWD.

The engine's performance leaned towards practicality rather than excitement. It provided sufficient power but wasn’t particularly thrilling. While the eight-speed automatic was a welcomed replacement over a CVT, acceleration felt moderate, and the engine noise was noticeable.

The Adventure trim featured MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, like other RAV4s, with all-season tires on 19-inch wheels. In contrast, the TRD Off-Road trim brought 18-inch wheels, Falken All-Terrain tires, TRD-tuned suspension, and unique shocks and jounce bumpers, making it more adept at off-roading compared to the Adventure trim.

For 2024, the Chevrolet Trax featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Despite the drop in power from its predecessor’s 1.4-liter engine, Chevy claimed the new Trax achieved faster acceleration, thanks to its flatter torque curve. The engine responded well, with minimal turbo lag, ensuring smooth acceleration and hassle-free highway overtakes.

The six-speed automatic transmission from the previous generation continued but was now restricted to front-wheel drive only. Those requiring AWD were directed towards the Chevrolet Trailblazer. This decision not only helped differentiate the Trax from the Trailblazer but also contributed to cost savings.

The Trax’s handling was more akin to a small car than a typical crossover, thanks to its wider track. It felt stable and nimble, reminiscent of smaller hatchbacks rather than taller SUVs. Despite limited grip and noticeable body roll, the Trax provided predictably enjoyable handling.

The 2023 RAV4 accommodated five passengers. With the moonroof, front-row headroom was 37.7 inches, and rear-seat headroom was 39.5 inches. This layout provided less front headroom than the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester but more in the rear. Legroom was 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back, aligning with the CR-V's front legroom but slightly less spacious in the back compared to both the CR-V and Forester.

Passenger storage included a dashboard shelf and large door pockets, enhancing accessibility for items like water bottles. The front cupholders were efficiently placed side by side.

Cargo space in the 2023 RAV4 measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanded to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, situating it middle-of-the-pack, surpassing the Mazda CX-5 but trailing the Honda CR-V.

The reimagined Trax, though larger, didn’t uniformly enhance interior space. Rear-seat legroom increased by three inches, with a slight bump in front-seat legroom. However, front-row headroom remained unchanged, and second-row headroom saw a small reduction of 0.7 inches. Decreased shoulder room suggested narrower seating, similar to what was observed in other GM subcompact crossovers.

Compared to the Trax’s main rivals, passenger space was nearly identical. While the Nissan Kicks offered more front legroom and the Hyundai Venue slightly more headroom, the Trax excelled in rear-seat legroom. The driving position was car-like, with low seat positions and excellent outward visibility. However, SUV enthusiasts might find these characteristics less appealing.

Cargo capacity in the 2024 Trax increased by roughly 12%, offering 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.1 cubic feet when folded. This improvement edged out the Venue but remained close to the Kicks.

The RAV4’s 2023 tech upgrade included a new infotainment system. Screen sizes improved with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. Over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, as did voice command capabilities.

Our RAV4 Adventure tester featured an upgraded multimedia system costing an additional $3,490. This upgrade included a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. Standard displays included a 7-inch driver-information display, while the Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch version, also available for TRD Off-Road but not for the Adventure and other trims.

The 2024 Trax saw significant tech enhancements. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard for LS and 1RS trims, while LT, 2RS, and Activ models enjoyed an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus optional wireless phone charging, were new additions.

The larger optional screen in the 2RS and Activ models featured sharp graphics and intuitive layout, although it tilted towards the driver, limiting accessibility for passengers. The digital instrument cluster was user-friendly and could display information from the main screen. Chevy included standard front USB ports and optional rear USB ports and wireless charging for higher trims, though the latter’s design wasn't universally accommodating.

Standard safety features across the 2023 RAV4 lineup included lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were available starting from the XLE trim.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 introduced more advanced driver-assistance systems, including Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The 2023 RAV4 excelled in IIHS tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award, an upgrade from its predecessor's Top Safety Pick rating.

At the time of publication, crash-test ratings for the 2024 Trax from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable. However, Chevy equipped the Trax with essential driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Chevy’s Teen Driver system was also standard, activating specific safety features and monitoring driving behavior, complete with a "report card" for parents.