2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, becoming almost unrecognizable compared to its predecessor. This redesign made it 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider. It adapted elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer, including a prominent grille and pronounced rear body sides. The Trax's presence was notable for a subcompact vehicle, setting it apart from competitors like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. Base models came equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims boasted 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior of the Trax LS was basic but functional, with cloth upholstery and an intuitive dashboard design. Higher trims featured Evotex upholstery and unique styling elements.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar followed a "reductive" design philosophy, focusing on simplicity and modernity. Updates for 2024 included a new grille, revised headlights and taillights, and fresh wheel options, which enhanced its low and wide appearance. The interior saw significant changes with a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen integrating climate and other controls, eliminating physical knobs. The Velar offered luxurious seating options, such as a Kvadrat wool blend, and a Cabin Air Purification Plus system. However, the design had a couple of flaws, like poor-quality lower door panel plastics and an ill-fitting driver’s floor mat.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a new 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Though less powerful than its predecessor, it offered a quicker 0-60 mph time by an estimated one second. The engine's torque curve provided strong response, with minimal turbo lag, making highway driving comfortable. The six-speed automatic transmission remained, but the new Trax was available only in front-wheel drive. The Trax's handling was car-like, thanks to a wider track, though it had limited grip and noticeable body roll. Its active noise cancellation system improved the overall driving experience, despite a somewhat rough ride quality.

Conversely, the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly the P400 variant, featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, generating 394 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This power allowed for impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time nearly two seconds faster than the entry-level P250 model. The Velar's eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system provided a smooth ride, with various driving modes for different terrains. The Dynamic mode enhanced its on-road performance, making it more nimble and athletic. However, Comfort mode felt too soft for urban driving, causing unwanted vehicle movements, and the Steer Assist feature added unnecessary stress.

Larger overall dimensions did not translate to uniformly increased interior space for the 2024 Chevrolet Trax. It did offer more rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom, but headroom in the second row decreased by 0.7 inches. Shoulder room was also reduced, making the interior feel snugger. The Trax was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue in passenger space but excelled in rear-seat legroom. Cargo space increased to 25.6 cubic feet with seats up and 54.1 cubic feet with seats down, slightly edging out the competition.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured flush-mounted door handles that powered out upon unlocking. Front seat access was somewhat challenging for taller individuals due to the angled windshield pillars. Once seated, the new cushions provided excellent comfort. The Velar's rear seats comfortably accommodated two adults with ample legroom and lumbar support, highlighted by a panoramic sunroof. Despite generous door panel bins, in-cabin storage was less practical due to the sliding items. Cargo capacity stood at 30.9 cubic feet, expanding to 62.7 cubic feet with rear seats down, offering more space than the Trax.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant technological upgrades, including an 8-inch touchscreen for base trims and 11-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster for higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were introduced. The infotainment system was intuitive, with shortcut buttons and crisp graphics. However, the tilted screen design favored the driver, limiting accessibility for passengers. The Trax also featured two front USB ports as standard, with additional ports and wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's standout upgrade was its next-generation Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, over-the-air updates, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Despite its advancements, the system was more complex, as it now included climate control and other essential functions. While some aspects were user-friendly, the small shortcut icons and lack of a handrest made it difficult to use while driving. The vehicle also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, head-up display, and premium Meridian sound systems. Our test model's head-up display proved useful, though the absence of a surround-view camera was a drawback.

Safety was a priority for the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, which came equipped with numerous standard driver-assist features. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning, among others. Optional safety features encompassed adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Teen Driver system was also standard, enhancing safety for younger drivers. Unfortunately, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was packed with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The adaptive cruise control with speed-limited function and Steer Assist offered varying degrees of support, though Steer Assist was problematic. Despite the comprehensive safety suite, Steer Assist exhibited erratic behavior, making it more of a liability than an asset. However, features like speed regulation and semi-autonomous driving worked well, providing the driver with clear indications when functions were active.