2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image to emerge as a more stylish and modern vehicle. The design team embraced a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, resulting in a vehicle that was 28 centimetres longer, 10 centimetres lower, and 5 centimetres wider than its predecessor. The Trax borrowed styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, featuring a prominent grille and distinctive body lines that gave it a commanding presence. Base models came with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum options. The interior, though primarily plastic, featured a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents, adding a touch of sophistication to the entry-level model.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S maintained its rugged, utilitarian design, rooted in its military heritage. The black-on-black colour scheme of the rental model was less than ideal for a tropical climate, but the Wrangler's appeal lay in its off-road capabilities and iconic design. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Willys, Sahara, and Rubicon, with the Rubicon 392 being discontinued in Canada. The interior was functional, with a focus on durability, featuring a grey fabric dashboard trim and metallic accents. Despite its high price tag, the Wrangler's charm lay in its ability to tackle challenging terrains and its timeless design.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a new 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While less powerful than the previous 1.4-litre engine, the new Trax was quicker to 100 km/h by about a second. The engine's flat torque curve provided strong acceleration, and turbo lag was minimal. The Trax was available only with front-wheel drive, differentiating it from the all-wheel-drive Trailblazer. Its handling was more car-like, with a wider track for a planted feel, though it still exhibited some body roll.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering better fuel efficiency and performance at higher elevations. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and off-road capabilities made it a versatile vehicle. However, its ride was rough, and the steering felt disconnected, especially at higher speeds. The Wrangler's rollover resistance rating was a concern, but its off-road prowess remained unmatched.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered increased rear-seat legroom, though headroom decreased slightly. The interior space was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, with the Trax providing the most rear legroom. The driving position was car-like, with low window sills for excellent visibility. Cargo space increased by 12%, offering 725 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,532 litres with them folded.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with optional heated features, but rear-seat legroom was limited. Storage space was minimal, with small bins and cupholders for personal items. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured significant infotainment upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available. The digital instrument cluster and intuitive infotainment system enhanced the driving experience, though the screen's tilt favoured the driver.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler boasted a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional navigation. The touchscreen remained visible even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group added a 7-inch digital display and other features like passive entry and remote start. Rear parking sensors were available in the Safety Group package.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Teen Driver system provided additional safety measures for young drivers. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced side curtain airbags as standard, a significant safety upgrade. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with forward collision warning available on higher trims. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact tests.