Chevrolet Trax vs Volkswagen ID.4

Chevrolet imbued the 2024 Trax with a significantly revamped aesthetic, diverging drastically from its predecessor. Sporting a "longer, lower, wider" mantra reminiscent of GM's golden design era, the Trax extended its wheelbase by nearly six inches and measured 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider than the previous model. This shift lent the vehicle a sleeker, more imposing stance, echoing design elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer like the gaping grille and distinct step between the rear body sides and windows. Such attributes granted the Trax a bold presence, setting it apart in the segment.

Trim levels such as the Activ and RS brought additional styling cues. The Activ trim subtly incorporated rugged touches like faux skid plates, whereas the RS flaunted sportier aesthetics with blacked-out accents, creating a diet-friendly shrunken Blazer look. The base LS featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Internally, the Trax offered a minimalist yet functional design. The LS started with cloth upholstery and a largely plastic interior, while higher trims introduced Evotex upholstery and contrast stitching. The dashboard housed a freestanding touchscreen flanked by large air vents, emphasizing a sleek design without compromising usability.

Volkswagen’s 2024 ID.4, on the other hand, opted for timeless, conservative styling that promised longevity. AWD versions showcased 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim adorned 21-inch designs. The lineup featured two battery options: a 62-kWh for the base ID.4 and an 82-kWh for the ID.4 Pro, with the latter also offering AWD capability.

Inside, the S and S Plus trims ditched last year's Cosmic color scheme for options like Cosmic Black and Galaxy artificial leather upholstery. Simplified controls saw the transmission shift stalk move to the steering column, with the Pro versions featuring a new 12.9-inch touchscreen system. Comfort enhancements included ventilated front seats available on higher trims and improved usability of touch-sensitive controls. The ID.4’s 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with folded seats, offered ample utility, albeit without a frunk.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax switched from its predecessor's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to a smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. This change resulted in a power reduction to 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, down from 155 hp and 177 lb-ft. Despite this, Chevy claimed the new Trax reached 60 mph a second quicker than before. The three-cylinder engine provided a robust torque curve that ensured brisk acceleration and competent highway overtakes with minimal turbo lag. The carryover six-speed automatic transmission was paired exclusively with front-wheel drive, enhancing cost-efficiency and differentiating it from the AWD Trailblazer. The Trax's wider track and car-like handling delivered a stable and engaging driving experience, albeit with some trade-offs in ride comfort.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new rear electric drive motor to the Pro models, producing 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. AWD Pro models combined this with a front motor, boosting output to 335 hp and maintaining 402 lb-ft torque, enabling a swift 4.9-second 0-60 mph acceleration. The 62-kWh battery variants retained their 201 hp and 229 lb-ft torque figures. RWD Pro models offered an EPA-rated range of 291 miles, with AWD versions slightly lower at 263 miles. Charging capabilities ranged from 6.25 to 8 hours on Level 2 chargers, with fast-charging potential from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The Pro S model's real-world performance in California proved consistent with its specs, showcasing solid acceleration, firm yet comfortable ride, and well-balanced handling, although with noticeable road noise at higher speeds.

The expanded dimensions of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax resulted in increased legroom, with rear passengers enjoying an additional three inches, and a slight uptick in front-seat legroom. However, headroom saw mixed results—unaltered for the first row and slightly reduced for the second. Shoulder room decreased due to seats being moved inward, typical of GM's subcompact designs. Despite these tweaks, the Trax maintained competitive passenger space, besting the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue in rear-seat legroom, if not in other measurements. Cargo capacity grew to 25.6 cubic feet with all seats up and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded, marginally outpacing immediate competitors.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 brought incremental but meaningful interior upgrades for 2024. The new transmission stalk placement and touch-sensing controls streamlined functionality, though challenges remained with the steering wheel's touch-sensitive buttons. The Pro models benefited from an upgraded 12.9-inch infotainment system enhancing user experience, bolstered by illuminated controls. Comfort saw marked improvement with ventilated seats and simulated leather upholstery standard on higher trims. The ID.4 offered ample rear passenger space with supportive seating and thoughtful inclusions like USB-C ports and air vents. Its cargo capacity stood at an impressive 30.3 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded—exceeding what the Trax offered and providing greater versatility despite the absence of a frunk.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw substantial tech enhancements. Standard trims like the LS and 1RS featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher levels such as the LT, 2RS, and Activ boasted an 11-inch display accompanied by an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, debuted in the Trax. However, the larger touchscreen’s driver-centric tilt wasn't ideal for passengers. The digital instrument cluster was simple yet modern, mirroring infotainment data where needed. Substantial connectivity options included standard and additional USB ports and the convenience of wireless phone charging as an option on higher trims.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 spotlighted a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard on Pro models, underscoring usability enhancements over aesthetics. The home screen, climate controls, and illuminated sliders ensured a user-friendly interface, with added navigation benefits like battery preconditioning for optimal charging. A premium Harman Kardon sound system graced only the S Plus trim. The infotainment system's intuitive design facilitated easy pairing and customization, complemented by gesture controls and voice assistant "Ida" with mixed command recognition performance. Volkswagen's Car-Net services provided robust connectivity options, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and internet radio.

Chevrolet endowed the 2024 Trax with a noteworthy suite of advanced safety features. Despite lacking crash-test ratings at publication, the Trax included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control expanded its safety net. The standard Teen Driver system promoted responsible driving among younger operators by recording their behavior and implementing safety locks and reminders.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, meanwhile, featured a comprehensive IQ.Drive suite. This encompassed post-collision braking to mitigate follow-up accidents, and emergency and travel assistance systems for driver well-being and semi-autonomous driving. Travel Assist excelled in maintaining safe distances and lane centering, while Memory Parking proved helpful for repetitive parking maneuvers. The ID.4 delivered commendable performance in NHTSA crash tests, though further IIHS evaluations were pending.