2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a significant size increase over its 2022 predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The new model was also about an inch taller and half an inch wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold front end with angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, creating a distinctive appearance. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a clean, minimalist design. However, the SynTex artificial leather upholstery felt somewhat cheap, and the gloss black trim was prone to fingerprint smudges.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a dramatic transformation, sharing little with its predecessor beyond the name. It was 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider, adopting styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer. The Trax's design gave it a strong presence, with a gaping grille and pronounced rear body sides. Inside, the Trax offered a slim dashboard design with a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents. Higher trims featured Evotex upholstery, with the RS model adding piano-black plastic trim. The Trax's interior was practical, with a low driving position and good outward visibility, although headroom was slightly reduced compared to the previous model.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The base LX trim offered front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid's transmission provided quick and smooth shifts, contributing to a quiet and comfortable ride. However, its steering felt nonlinear, particularly in Sport mode, and its towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the smaller engine, the Trax was quicker to 60 mph than its predecessor, thanks to a flat torque curve and minimal turbo lag. The six-speed automatic transmission was carried over, but the Trax was now front-wheel drive only. The Trax's handling was more car-like, with a wider track providing a stable feel. While not a performance vehicle, the Trax offered nimble handling and exceeded expectations in terms of refinement, with active noise cancellation reducing unwanted sounds.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids, but less for rear passengers. The dual-level cargo floor allowed for 39.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Sportage Hybrid also featured a rotary shift knob, USB ports, and clever cupholders for added convenience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, had mixed results in terms of interior space. It offered three more inches of rear-seat legroom but slightly less headroom and shoulder room. The Trax had the most rear-seat legroom among its rivals, with a car-like driving position and good visibility. Cargo space increased to 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded, slightly better than the Nissan Kicks but significantly more than the Hyundai Venue.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display with a digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate settings. Hybrid models included multiple USB-C ports, wireless phone charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant tech upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The infotainment system was easy to use, with shortcut buttons and a driver-oriented screen. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports and optional wireless charging, although the charging pad's design might not suit all phones.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's crash-test ratings were unavailable, but it offered a range of driver-assist features. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The SX-Prestige trim featured advanced tech like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a blind-spot view camera.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax also lacked crash-test ratings but included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Trax also came with the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behavior and provided a report card to parents.