Which is the better small SUV, the 2024 Ford Escape or 2024 Chevy Trax? Our comparison guide will help you figure out which model has what you want from a daily driver!
Key Takeaways
- Between the pair, the Chevy Trax comes at the most budget-friendly price.
- The 2024 Escape delivers the smoother, more supportive ride.
- With four engine options, the Escape offers more potential for speed and a sporty performance.
- Properly equipped, the Escape is also the thriftier option!
Lowest Price: 2024 Chevy Trax
The Trax is the subcompact economy option, helping you save a bundle with its $20,400 MSRP. As a slightly bigger compact crossover, the Escape comes at a price that’s competitive for its own segment, starting at $29,495.
Interior Comfort: 2024 Ford Escape
Inside, the roomier Escape offers extra passenger space in both rows. It also delivers a bigger cargo hold, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. By comparison, the Trax offers 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats.
The Escape’s higher MSRP doesn’t merely deliver more space; these crossovers also come standard with more features. These include comfort-inducing items like dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Unfortunately, even higher Trax trim models don’t offer these particular features. While the top-trim Trax does offer some upgrades — including a heated steering wheel and heated front seats — it simply never delivers as much luxury as the Escape.
Besides more space and available luxury, the Escape is the sportier option. It offers your choice of four engines, all of which provide more speed than the Trax. The Escape is also the better choice for drivers with a small boat or camper, because it can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Escape’s Active and PHEV trim models come standard with front-wheel drive, but offer all-wheel drive as an option. Higher trim models come standard with sporty all-wheel drive!
Choose from these Escape powertrain options:
- Turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft of torque)
- Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft)
- 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder (192 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- 2.5L plug-in hybrid four-cylinder (210 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Every Trax has the same small engine, a turbocharged three-cylinder that generates 137 horsepower. This extra-small Chevy crossover can’t beat the Escape in a race, but it gets around town just fine. Unfortunately, the Trax is not available with trail-friendly all-wheel drive.
There’s only one powertrain available for the Trax:
- Turbo 1.2L three-cylinder engine (137 hp, 162 lb-ft)
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
Biggest Fuel Savings: 2024 Ford Escape
Not only is the Escape the most powerful option, but it’s also the thriftiest. With its available hybrid powertrain, the Escape earns up to 39 mpg combined (42 city/36 highway). The Escape’s PHEV trim model, which features an exclusive plug-in hybrid powertrain, is even thriftier, returning 40 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Escape PHEV can also travel 37 miles in electric-only mode, when it returns 101 MPGe!
Since every Trax features the same powertrain, all trim models earn an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (28 city/32 highway). That’s about the same mileage you get from the Escape’s much quicker, 180-horsepower base engine.
Your New Ride
If the 2024 Chevy Trax speaks to you with its very thrifty MSRP, we won’t stand in your way! But if you’re shopping for extra space, more luxury options, and the sportiest performance in an SUV, then the 2024 Ford Escape is the best option.