Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax: How Do They Measure Up?
We examine the key differences between the Ford EcoSport and the Chevy Trax to determine if one vehicle emerges as the clear winner.
The compact crossover SUV segment continues to grow in popularity, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. If you’re in the market for a small crossover SUV, you’re likely considering two of the most popular options in the segment, the Ford EcoSport, and the Chevrolet Trax.
Both the EcoSport and Trax are city jaunters with plenty of sporty potential. While these models are fairly similar at first look, some key differences will ultimately help you decide. Thus, for today, we have a 2021 Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax head-to-head comparison to help you determine which is the better buy.
Exterior Features
Between the Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax, which vehicle looks better?
The 2021 Ford EcoSport features a familiar design for many years now. But we have to give kudos to Ford because the EcoSport design remains fresh and stylish. This mindful design aesthetic for the EcoSport serves it well and resonates well with its demographic.
The S trim offers a no-nonsense exterior complete with black door handles, black beltline molding, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Moreover, the SES model offers a blacked-out grille and black-painted aluminum wheels, which take the sportiness to the next level.
On the other hand, the 2021 Chevy Trax features a small and agile exterior. Similar to the EcoSport, the Trax hasn’t changed much in terms of exterior design. Unfortunately, the old design is now fairly dated and doesn’t do the Trax any favors.
Don’t get us wrong, the Trax still looks good. However, when compared to other vehicles in the same segment, the Trax’s old design simply lags behind the fresher-looking models, including the aforementioned EcoSport. The LT trim features auto projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and LED tail lamps.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
Frankly, if you’re looking for top-notch performance, this Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax comparison might not be the place to look since both models’ performance are underwhelming.
The EcoSport offers two engine options. First, the 1.0-liter turbo-three comes standard for all trim models except the SES, and it cranks out 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The other variant is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a slightly quicker 166 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are hooked up to a dutiful 6-Speed Automatic transmission.
As you can see, the EcoSport’s engine is the opposite of quick and won’t win you a straight-line acceleration contest. The main drawback of this engine is the lack of low-down torque which means that you really need to push down the pedal to progress at higher speeds. The EcoSport is truly a city-duty SUV rather than for lengthy journeys.
Conversely, the Chevy Trax has an engine performance that can only be described as lackluster. Unlike the EcoSport, the Trax is powered by one sole engine, the 1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas engine, which can only muster 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission that feels overly strained at times.
The Trax offers a fair amount of low-end grunt, which is great for city jaunts but quickly loses steam at higher speeds. The 6-speed transmission is mostly smooth but is quite hesitant on the downshift. With the combination of its size and output, it’s hard to recommend the Trax for towing, but many customers claimed that they’ve used it for towing 1,000+ lbs.
The 2021 Chevy Trax has a fuel economy of 26 mpg/city and 31 mpg/hwy, while the EcoSport is rated at 27 mpg/city and 29 mpg/hwy. When combined, the Trax has better fuel economy than EcoSport but not by much. In addition, the Trax boasts a higher fuel capacity at 53.0 L compared to the EcoSport’s 52.2 L.
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Interior Features and Space
The Trax’s expansive headroom and seating position give an impression that the interior is airy and spacious. However, both its cargo space and rear-seat legroom are smaller than its segment competition. With that said, the interior space is well-managed but can feel claustrophobic in lengthy drives.
The materials used for the Trax’s interior are good enough for the segment, with some stitched dashboard inserts for a more upscale look. As you move through the center console, you’ll find cut-rate plastic materials for navigation and climate control systems.
On the other hand, the EcoSport offers a more updated interior. Although the cabin quality is solid on the base models, it becomes unacceptable for the top trims. The EcoSport’s interior layout looks logical but won’t make any lasting impression. The front passenger area offers ample room, but the rear seating falls short in space.
The entry-level S is only available in Medium Light Stone cloth, while the rest of the models are outfitted with leather steering wheels. The SES trim upscales things a bit with chrome inserts, exclusive leather-and-cloth seats, and unique stitching. If you opt for the SE Appearance Package ($495), you get the upscaled Ebony Black cloth material with Orange Copper accents which livens up an otherwise dull interior.
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Infotainment and Safety Features
The 2021 Chevy Trax is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that looks fairly basic but gets the job done. The infotainment feels responsive and includes all the latest connectivity features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In-car Wi-Fi is also standard, but it does require a subscription after the free trial expires.
For safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Trax a five-star rating. However, it’s worth noting that it lacks several standard safety features, and you’ll need to rely on optional safety packages to deliver on its five-star safety promise. For example, apart from the standard safety features like airbags and rear vision camera, you’ll have to avail of optional driver-assist features such as Rear Park Assist and Side Blind Zone Alert.
For the EcoSport’s infotainment, the base S model comes with the basic version of Ford’s SYNC system in a small 4.2-inch color display. You can expect basic features like radio, Bluetooth, a six-speaker sound system. The SE model includes the 8-inch touchscreen, SYNC 3, and the optional seven-speaker system (standard on the SES model).
The EcoSport also lacks several advanced driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking. It does have the available Reverse Sensing System, which alerts you of a nearby object when backing, and Ford’s own blind spot monitoring system called BLIS (Blind Spot Information System).
Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax: Wrapping Up
As you can see, this 2021 Ford EcoSport vs. Chevy Trax comparison is the definition of a neck-to-neck. Therefore, we’ll have to ultimately consider the pricing for both vehicles.
The MSRP for the Trax ranges from $22,098 - $26,498 for all trims, while the EcoSport’s MSRP ranges from $25,399 - $31,899. For price and safety, the Trax is objectively the safer and more affordable compact SUV. However, if you’re going to consider performance, towing capacity, and interiors, the EcoSport may have the upper hand.
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