2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image for a more modern and stylish design. The new model was longer, lower, and wider, drawing inspiration from the midsize Chevy Blazer with its bold grille and distinctive body lines. This redesign gave the Trax a commanding presence, setting it apart from competitors like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. The Trax offered various trim levels, including the Activ and RS, which provided unique styling cues such as faux skid plates and blacked-out trim, respectively. Inside, the Trax featured a mix of cloth and Evotex upholstery, with higher trims offering more upscale materials and design elements.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a premium appearance, often perceived as more upscale than its non-European rivals. Standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line, contributed to its sophisticated look. The Tiguan's exterior design was complemented by a range of color and trim options, although the base model was limited to grayscale colors. Inside, the Tiguan offered a range of seating options, with the SEL R-Line featuring real leather and advanced features like front-seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel. The Tiguan's interior was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on providing a premium experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the decrease in power from the previous model, the new Trax was quicker to 60 mph, thanks to its flat torque curve and minimal turbo lag. The Trax was only available with front-wheel drive, differentiating it from the all-wheel-drive Trailblazer. Its handling was tuned to be more car-like, offering a planted feel and nimble handling, although it still exhibited some body roll and limited grip. The Trax's ride quality was slightly rough, but active noise cancellation helped reduce unwanted sounds.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tiguan offered front-wheel drive as standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Tiguan's power delivery was inconsistent, with some lag in acceleration, but it provided good visibility and handling. The ride was comfortable, although the seating surfaces drew some complaints. The Tiguan's fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain, with AWD models experiencing a slight decrease in efficiency.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered increased rear-seat legroom, although headroom and shoulder room were slightly reduced. The Trax's interior space was comparable to its main rivals, with comfortable seating and a car-like driving position. Cargo space increased to 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded, providing ample storage for a subcompact crossover.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior space varied depending on the drivetrain. FWD models offered a third row, seating seven, while AWD models seated five, providing more cargo space. The two-row Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Passenger space was generous in the first two rows, but the third row was tight, suitable for occasional use. Despite its compact size, the Tiguan was one of the few vehicles in its class to offer a third row.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured significant infotainment 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 user-friendly, with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports and optional digital instrument clusters, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system included an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model had a smaller 6.5-inch screen and fewer USB ports, while higher trims offered additional features like wireless charging. Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line featuring a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The Tiguan's infotainment system was functional, though the monochromatic graphics felt out of place in an otherwise stylish vehicle. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System on higher trims provided excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax's safety ratings were not available at the time of publication, but it offered a range of driver-assist features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured Chevy's Teen Driver system, which monitored young drivers' behavior and provided feedback to parents.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024. The standard IQ.DRIVE suite included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, although its performance was mixed.