2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 demonstrated a radical departure from its previous boxy designs that were reminiscent of toasters. Representing a blend of purposefulness and subdued elegance, the XC90’s front end appeared solid and stout without being ostentatious. The grille was assertive yet not oversized, and the now-iconic “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern flair absent from previous generations. Maintaining its rectilinear dimensions, the XC90 managed to avoid the uninspired aesthetics of yesteryears.

Our test vehicle’s 21-inch wheels coupled with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires added drama to the otherwise stoic vehicle. The Platinum Gray paint had undertones of brown, which added depth and richness when illuminated by sunlight. However, Volvo's color palette remained conservative, offering shades predominantly in black, white, silver, and various grays, with a notably “smoky” blue as a subdued alternative.

Inside, the XC90 offered an elegant design that was a delightful mix of high-quality materials. The two-tone leather steering wheel and metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers exemplified attention to detail. The Orrefors crystal shift knob and Nappa leather seats, available in “charcoal” and “blond,” further accentuated this premium feel. Wood deco inlays added a touch of nature, while the front cabin’s minimalist design, characterized by a scarcity of buttons and physical controls, enhanced its modern aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a profound transformation making the same-name badge seem a disservice to its redesigned model. Embracing a “longer, lower, wider” mantra, the Trax extended by 11 inches, and a 6-inch wheelbase stretch, now offered a more dynamic appearance. Styling cues borrowed from the midsize Chevy Blazer, including its gaping grille and pronounced rear-step design, provided the Trax with a distinctive and formidable presence.

Base models featured 17-inch steelies, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Activ trim introduced subtle enhancements with faux skid plates, whereas the RS trim's blacked-out accents gave it a sportier vibe that mirrored a shrunken Blazer. The interior of the Trax, despite its entry-level status, included interesting design elements such as a freestanding touchscreen and prominent round air vents. Higher trims with Evotex upholstery—accented with yellow stitching in Activ models and piano-black plastic in RS models—added a touch of sophistication, even if impractical in certain placements.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 saw the phasing out of its older turbocharged T5 and T6 engines, replaced by the B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains. Both new versions centered around a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine but introduced a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This shift yielded minor horsepower sacrifices in favor of better fuel efficiency and smoother operation, reflecting Volvo’s commitment to electrification.

The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6, equipped with supercharging, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite minimal power differences, these systems didn’t operate on electricity alone but utilized an electric starter generator to reduce the engine load. The XC90 provided an enjoyable, if reserved, driving experience, with responsive acceleration, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and commendable noise insulation.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax retained a single engine option, now a smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine replacing the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four. With a reduction to 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, Chevy estimated that the new engine shaved about a second off the 0-60 mph time compared to its predecessor.

Despite the lower power output, the Trax delivered strong response from the turbo engine, experiencing minimal lag and sufficient power for highway overtakes. The six-speed automatic transmission carried over, and the Trax became FWD-only, differentiating itself from the AWD optioned Trailblazer. The Trax handling, tuned for a car-like experience with a wider track allowing a more planted feel, reminded us of small hatchbacks while still reflecting its subcompact crossover nature. Active noise cancellation significantly enhanced refinement, though ride quality was slightly rough.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 excelled in front seat comfort with its luxurious appointments, though it lacked ample cubby space for small items. The absence of a dedicated phone space was notable, and the USB port placement in a small center console bin was less than ideal. The second-row seating offered comfort but adjusting the seats proved challenging, and the seven-passenger configuration created difficulty accessing the third row.

Despite these challenges, the XC90 provided reasonable interior space, but fell short in overall cargo capacity versus competitors. With the third row up, it offered 12.5 cubic feet, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet—less than the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, though larger, displayed uneven increases in interior space. While it offered three more inches of rear legroom and a slight front legroom increase, front headroom remained unchanged, and rear headroom decreased. The narrower shoulder room indicated snug repositioning similar to other GM subcompacts. Compared to rivals, the Trax provided the most rear legroom but slightly less headroom in both rows.

Cargo capacity increased by 12% to 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, contrasting slightly with the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. However, the Trax's 54.1 cubic feet with seats folded exceeded the Venue’s capacity and provided a slightly more spacious arrangement than the previous model.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured an intelligent 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS—the first standard system of its kind. This integration brought onboard Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, Google Assistant, and more, including home device compatibility via Google Home. Despite the advanced tech, Volvo's reliance on screen-based controls for various functions compromised ease of access, a minor frustration likely to alleviate with habitual use.

In comparison, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant infotainment upgrades. Standard models sported an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted an 11-inch display complemented by an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. The interface supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The larger screen with shortcut buttons and a user-friendly menu was driver-oriented but less accessible for passengers.

The Trax's digital instrument cluster could relay information from the touchscreen, compensating for the absence of a head-up display. Multiple USB ports across the front and rear seats catered to connectivity and charging needs, reaffirming the Trax's tech-forward focus.

Volvo’s storied safety history was evident in the 2023 XC90, honored with a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, maintaining lane alignment and safe distances even in heavy traffic.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax’s crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of writing, but it offered comprehensive standard safety features. These included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional features expanded this suite with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The standard Teen Driver system added a monitoring and safety feature layer for families.