Chevrolet Trax vs Subaru Ascent

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax received a transformative redesign that shed its predecessor's mundane look in favor of a stylish and robust appearance. Chevy's team embraced a "longer, lower, wider" design philosophy, resulting in a Trax that was 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider than the previous model. Styling elements borrowed from the midsize Chevy Blazer, such as a large grille and a defined step between the rear body sides and windows, gave the new Trax a substantial visual presence uncommon in the subcompact SUV segment. Base Trax LS models featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18 and 19-inch aluminum options. The RS and Activ trims added rugged and sporty design elements, respectively, with the RS particularly emphasizing a blacked-out, Blazer-inspired aesthetic. Inside, the Trax's designers opted for a minimalist approach with a slim dashboard that highlighted a freestanding touchscreen and prominently placed air vents. Higher trims featured unique upholstery materials and stylistic flourishes, although the RS’s use of piano-black plastic on high-touch areas was a questionable choice.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Ascent maintained its function-over-form approach. The SUV's design continuity from the previous model included base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $34,395 to $50,181. While competitively priced, the Ascent didn't offer the visual flair seen in the Trax. The Ascent Touring trim, despite comprehensive feature inclusions like a panoramic sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery, still bore a look dictated by function and modular design. Extensive exterior changes in recent years, such as aggressive grille styling, contributed to a somewhat controversial aesthetic. Nevertheless, the Ascent's interior quality was praiseworthy, though its design felt more practical than sophisticated.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax took a different route with its powertrain, opting for a smaller yet efficient 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the prior model's 1.4-liter turbo-four, this was a reduction in power, but Chevy made up for it with better acceleration. The Trax reached 60 mph approximately one second quicker than its predecessor and provided adequate performance for city and highway driving. The vehicle’s front-wheel-drive configuration was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission carried over from the previous model. Chevy emphasized a more car-like driving experience with improved handling and minimal body roll, maintaining a comfortable ride quality slightly marred by noticeable tire noise.

In comparison, the 2024 Subaru Ascent featured a robust 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, providing adept performance across various terrains. The Ascent excelled in versatility—handling city commutes, rural roads, and off-road trails with equal competence. However, it struggled with fuel efficiency, especially in the city, where test results showed 16.7 mpg, less than the EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Furthermore, while agile in sensible driving scenarios, its weight and soft suspension hampered performance on twisty roads, leading to a cumbersome driving experience in such conditions.

Chevy increased the 2024 Trax's dimensions, enhancing rear-seat legroom by three inches and front-seat legroom slightly, though first-row headroom remained unchanged and second-row headroom decreased by 0.7 inches. Nonetheless, the Trax offered competitive passenger space with its rivals, providing ample comfort in front and back for a vehicle in this price range. Cargo space saw a 12% increase to 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.1 cubic feet when folded down, surpassing the cargo capacity of the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent focused on practical details designed to simplify daily use. The Touring trim’s premium Nappa leather seats were heated and ventilated but missed a height adjuster for the front passenger. Despite this, all four doors opened wide to facilitate loading children and securing gear on the roof rails, which supported a hefty 700 pounds of static load. The Ascent’s second-row captain’s chairs offered comfort albeit with limited legroom compared to some competitors. The third row provided acceptable space for adults on short trips, enhanced by multiple storage options and air vents. In terms of cargo capacity, the Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 75.6 cubic feet when both rear rows were down, slightly reduced if equipped with a panoramic sunroof.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant technological advancements with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on the LS and 1RS trims, and an 11-inch touchscreen plus an 8-inch digital instrument cluster on LT, 2RS, and Activ models. Newly introduced wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside wireless phone charging, uplifted the Trax's tech offering. The redesigned system was user-friendly with intuitive menu layouts, though the driver-centric orientation might inconvenience the front passenger somewhat. Additional USB ports were thoughtfully included across trims, enhancing connectivity for all passengers.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent's tech suite included the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, forming the backbone of the onboard tech. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with higher trims providing Wi-Fi hotspot access, a navigation system, and a superior 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Physical buttons and knobs complemented the touchscreen to control essential functions. However, the system had its drawbacks, such as visibility issues in direct sunlight and subpar native voice recognition. Subaru also offered useful features such as Cabin Connect for better in-car communication and a surround-view camera for enhanced visibility.

Chevrolet equipped the 2024 Trax with a comprehensive suite of safety features, though official crash test ratings were unavailable at publication. Key standard elements included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Higher trims or additional packages provided adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which encouraged safe driving practices by reporting driving habits to parents.

In terms of safety, the 2024 Subaru Ascent was a standout, earning impressive ratings—a five-star rating from NHTSA in most tests and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance suite came standard, offering features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. Additional trims included advanced safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic reverse braking, and a Driver Focus monitoring system. However, EyeSight's lane-centering assist demonstrated inconsistencies that occasionally undermined the driving experience.