2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered Canadian consumers a variety of trim levels, ranging from the RAV4 LE priced just over $35,000 to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, which exceeded $45,000. The design remained largely unchanged from the 2019 model, with the Trail trim standing out due to its distinctive two-part face. The Trail trim, tested in the US, featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and additional rugged styling elements, although it was more about appearance than off-road capability. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents and contrast stitching, while the Limited trim offered a more premium feel with features like a frameless rearview mirror and advanced seating options.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant redesign, sharing little with its predecessor beyond the name. The new Trax was longer, lower, and wider, borrowing styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, which gave it a more commanding presence. The base Trax LS came with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum options. The Trax Activ and RS trims aimed for rugged and sporty aesthetics, respectively. Inside, the Trax LS featured cloth upholstery and a practical design, while higher trims offered Evotex upholstery and unique styling elements. The Trax's interior design focused on functionality, with a freestanding touchscreen and a driver-oriented layout.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with all-wheel drive across all trims, powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which, while preferable to a CVT, did not enhance acceleration significantly. The RAV4's performance was more about reliability than excitement, with a somewhat noisy engine. The Trail trim featured 19-inch wheels and a suspension setup similar to other RAV4 models, emphasizing comfort over off-road prowess.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, on the other hand, featured a smaller 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Despite the reduced power compared to its predecessor, the new Trax was quicker to 100 km/h by about a second. The engine's flat torque curve provided strong response, and turbo lag was minimal. The Trax retained the previous generation's six-speed automatic transmission and was available only with front-wheel drive. Its handling was tuned to be more car-like, offering a planted feel and nimble handling, although it still exhibited some body roll. The Trax's ride quality was slightly rough, but it compensated with above-average handling.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 accommodated five passengers, offering 958 mm of front headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear with the moonroof. Front legroom measured 1,039 mm, while the rear offered 960 mm, making it competitive in its class. The RAV4 provided ample storage options, including a shelf along the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded, placing it in the middle of the pack for storage capacity.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, despite its larger size, offered mixed results in interior space. It provided 7.6 cm more rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom, but headroom decreased in the second row. The Trax's passenger space was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, with the most rear legroom among them. The Trax's driving position was more car-like, with low window sills for excellent visibility. Cargo space increased by about 12%, offering 725 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,532 litres with them folded, slightly surpassing the Venue.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, while the Limited trim featured a 10.5-inch screen. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RAV4 Trail and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad, with the Limited also offering an 11-speaker JBL audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant tech upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on LS and 1RS trims, and an 11-inch screen on LT, 2RS, and Activ models. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone charging were available for the first time. The Trax's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a logical menu layout and crisp graphics. The optional digital instrument cluster was easy to read, and information could be transferred from the main screen. The Trax offered multiple USB ports, with wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The RAV4 was upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, thanks to its strong crash-test performance.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a range of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behaviour and provided a report card to parents. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.