2025 Chevrolet Trax Against The Competition
Chevrolet Trax
Mazda CX-30
Buick Envista
Volkswagen Taos
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax vs. the Competition
How the Trax Supersedes Expectations
A resurgence in compact SUV styling often reveals a shared blueprint: similar silhouettes, tech-heavy dashboards, and promises of versatility. Yet among this sea of subtle sameness, the 2025 Chevrolet Trax rises with unexpected clarity. Purposefully refined and surprisingly bold, the newest Trax blends real-world practicality with youthful attitude, challenging its class rivals in price, performance, and interior usefulness. Let's see how it holds up against three key contenders: the Mazda CX-30, Buick Envista, and Volkswagen Taos.
Disclaimer:
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.
1Dealer Discount applied to everyone
1Dealer Discount applied to everyone
Vehicle Comparison
| 2025 Chevrolet Trax | 2025 Mazda CX-30 | 2025 Buick Envista | 2025 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Engine | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Drivetrain | Front wheel drive | All wheel drive | Front wheel drive | Front wheel drive |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Wheel Type | Painted alloy wheels | Painted alloy wheels | Painted alloy wheels | Painted alloy wheels |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 12.7 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
| Drive Range (city/hwy/combined) | 370 / 422 miles | 330 / 419 miles | 370 / 422 miles | 370 / 475 miles |
| Length | 178.6 inches | 173.0 inches | 182.6 inches | 175.9 inches |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Chevrolet Trax vs. Mazda CX-30
Mazda's CX-30 is frequently praised for its athletic handling and premium interior appointments. Its base engine, a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, delivers 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the turbocharged version, and output jumps to 250 horsepower-but so does the price, reaching well into the $30,000s. Fuel economy for the standard model lands at an estimated 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway.
In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Trax adopts a more accessible yet confident approach. Under its hood lies a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque-less on paper, yes, but more than adequate in practice for daily urban and suburban use. Thanks to its lightweight chassis and smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission, the Trax delivers respectable acceleration and balanced ride quality, all while returning an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city / 32 mpg highway.
Where the CX-30 tightens space in favor of driver engagement, the Trax expands it. Rear legroom measures an impressive 38.7 inches-significantly more than the CX-30's 36.3 inches. Cargo space also favors Chevrolet: 25.6 cubic-feet behind the second row, compared to Mazda's 20.2. Those extra cubic feet aren't just numbers-they translate into easier road trips, better grocery hauls, and more legroom for passengers over six feet tall.
Stylistically, the CX-30 leans toward luxury; the Trax leans into versatility. Higher trims like the Trax 2RS or ACTIV include 19-inch wheels, Evotex seat trim, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen that feels more contemporary than Mazda's rotary dial setup. The CX-30 may drive like a sports sedan, but for everyday usability and tech, the Trax is arguably better tuned to modern life.
Chevrolet Trax vs. Buick Envista
At a glance, the Buick Envista may appear to be Trax's better-dressed cousin-and in many ways, it is. Both ride on the same platform, both utilize the same 1.2-liter turbo engine, and both offer front-wheel drive exclusively. But the difference lies in intent and execution.
The Envista pushes premium cues: a sleeker, coupe-like profile and slightly softer suspension tuning. Its power output mirrors that of the Trax, with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is virtually identical at 28 city / 32 highway mpg. Yet when it comes to real-world functionality, the Trax edges ahead.
Unlike the Envista's more tapered roofline, the Trax offers improved rear headroom (38.1 inches vs. Envista's 37.3) and similar cargo space-25.6 cubic feet in both, but with a squarer load floor in the Trax. Inside, both offer near-identical digital clusters and 11-inch infotainment systems, though the Trax RS's available red interior accents and ACTIV's rugged aesthetic provide more character than Envista's muted tones.
The Trax also undercuts Envista in price by a slim but significant margin. Starting at around $20,500, the base Trax LS gives budget-conscious buyers a roomy, tech-forward SUV that doesn't feel entry-level. By comparison, the Envista Preferred starts near $23,495. In a segment where cost-per-feature matters deeply, the Trax simply stretches every dollar further.
Chevrolet Trax vs. Volkswagen Taos
Volkswagen's Taos positions itself as the more European entry in this segment, and it succeeds in offering mature road manners and a minimalist, no-nonsense cabin. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine develops 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with either front-wheel or available 4Motion all-wheel drive. Fuel economy checks in at 28 city / 36 highway mpg with FWD.
While the Taos offers slightly more power and AWD capability, it comes at a higher price point, starting just over $25,000. That delta grows quickly with trims like SE or SEL, which add features already standard in the mid-range Trax LT or 2RS. For instance, the Trax includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, and keyless entry by its LT trim, without stretching your budget north of $24K.
Cargo space is close-Taos provides 27.9 cubic feet behind the second row, while the Trax offers 25.6. But the overall feel of the Trax's cabin leans more lively, especially with contrasting stitching, customizable ambient lighting (on ACTIV), and a more sculptural dashboard design. By comparison, the Taos interior-while functional-can feel clinical.
It's also worth noting that all 2025 Trax models come with Chevy Safety Assist as standard: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, and more. These features often require stepping up trims or purchasing packages on competing models like the Taos.
Final Thoughts: Why the Trax Wins
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax doesn't overwhelm with horsepower or overcomplicate with premium aspirations. Instead, it excels by offering a well-rounded, stylish, and surprisingly spacious package that aligns beautifully with real-life needs.
Provided you're navigating crowded downtown streets, managing after-school pickups, or simply enjoying a quiet commute, the Trax keeps things simple and confident. With five trims-LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV-buyers can choose the expression that fits their lifestyle. From the sporty flourishes of RS trims to the soft-road appeal of the ACTIV, there's an iteration for various personalities.
With a starting price under $22,000 and top trims comfortably under $ 26,000, the Trax brings value into focus in a way few competitors do. Backed by Chevrolet's nationwide service network and a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, it's a smart investment built for the long haul.
Discover the Trax at Bayside Chevrolet
Schedule a test drive and explore how the 2025 Chevrolet Trax balances efficiency, space, and connectivity in ways that truly set it apart. The right trim is waiting. The right price is real. And the right SUV is ready.
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