2021 Chevrolet Trax vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced for the 2015 model year, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the Premier trim level was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, and cruise control.

The 2021 BMW X5 was known for its high-quality craftsmanship and unmistakable BMW design. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes depending on the trim. The M Sport models had a sportier look with body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. The interior carried the BMW signature design with an abundance of leather and soft-touch materials, though it had a lot of black plastic that collected dust. The M Sport models had unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and M-specific pedals.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and made considerable noise. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable and fun-to-drive experiences.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M offered 600 horsepower, which increased to 617 with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's steering and drive dynamics were less engaging than other BMW SUVs, feeling more like a Lincoln in terms of ride comfort and noise isolation.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided a respectable amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering for long-distance comfort. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space with front cupholders positioned out of the way and a wireless phone charging pad. The center console had numerous buttons and dials, which were hard to differentiate at night. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, but the front seats felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and adults, with an available third row. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo easier. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. It included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning, which were standard in many rivals.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it had issues reacting to stopped traffic and lane markings, especially in sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.