2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax retained much of its design from the 2017 model year, which included updates to both its interior and exterior. By 2021, the Trax lineup was simplified to just the LS and LT trims, as the Premier trim was discontinued. The LS trim offered basic features like 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added more amenities, such as heated side mirrors, LED lights, and upgraded seating materials. Various styling packages and driver assistance features were available for the LT trim, enhancing its appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic design, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts. The Wrangler offered a variety of trims, including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, each with unique styling options like painted or exposed fenders and different roof configurations. The Wrangler's interior was more utilitarian, with upright seating and limited legroom, but it was designed for off-road enthusiasts who valued ruggedness over comfort. Special editions like the Willys and High Altitude provided additional customization options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by 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 and all-wheel drive configurations. While the Trax performed adequately in city driving, it struggled to deliver power at highway speeds, making it less suitable for long-distance travel. The ride was firm, and the vehicle's maneuverability was a highlight, especially in urban settings.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. The Rubicon 392 trim featured a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, provided excellent off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered decent interior space, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering for long journeys. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, the Trax lacked options for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler featured various roof options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 came with the Sky one-touch power top, offering a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with cargo nets and drain plugs for easy cleaning. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit the space for larger items.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and physical controls for easy operation. The Trax also offered two USB ports and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim included a basic 5-inch screen, but higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens provided crisp graphics and intuitive controls. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera for enhanced trail visibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced safety features. Standard safety equipment included airbags and a backup camera, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, the Trax did not offer forward-collision avoidance or lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional safety features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard, but lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler also featured a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.