2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that drew both admiration and criticism. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, was crafted to house seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive interior volume, akin to a Honda Pilot in length but with a wheelbase longer than a Chevy Tahoe. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, its design, with a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, was not universally praised. The rear view, featuring LED taillights wrapping around 75 percent of the tail's circumference, was particularly distinctive.

The Ioniq 9 was available in seven paint colours in Canada, with options varying by trim. The base Essential RWD trim came in Sunset Brown, while the Preferred AWD offered additional colours like black, white, and grey. The Luxury package added Biophilic Blue and Ionosphere Green, along with extra grey finishes. Wheel sizes ranged from 19 to 21 inches, with unique designs for specific trims. Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy interior, thanks to its EV platform allowing flat floors. The dashboard featured multiple cubbies, and higher trims included a panoramic sunroof. Upholstery options varied from cloth to leatherette, with the latter available in black or black and grey. Despite some plastic elements, the interior maintained a high-quality feel, though the seats lacked thigh support.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax, on the other hand, evolved from its initial iteration as a basic crossover to a more car-like design, sharing proportions with the Buick Envista. It retained enough SUV styling elements to appeal to its target market. The Trax's design featured Blazer-like headlights, a wide grille, and a tall front end, giving it a distinctive personality. Chunky wheel arches and a pronounced rib in the doors added definition, while a laid-back windshield and upward arc of the rear side windows contributed to its sleek appearance. The Trax's wide stance and imposing grille lent it an SUV-like toughness.

In Canada, the Trax lineup for 2026 included the 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ trim levels, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches. The Activ models featured black-painted 18-inch wheels and unique bumpers. Inside, the Trax's interior was marked by economical materials, but design details elevated its appeal. The instrument cluster and touchscreen layout resembled that of a Corvette, and contrasting trim helped distract from the basic black interior. Cloth upholstery was standard on the 1RS, while other trims offered suede-like Evotex or a combination of materials.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower. Other trims had a dual-motor AWD system, with the Preferred AWD generating 303 hp and the Preferred AWD+ delivering 422 hp. Despite its power, the Ioniq 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. The vehicle's weight and soft suspension provided a smooth ride but compromised cornering agility. The Ioniq 9 offered a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms for the RWD model and 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charging times.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax continued with a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Its six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive configuration provided confident acceleration and minimal turbo lag. The Trax's conventional geared automatic transmission contributed to its drivability, offering smoother power delivery compared to a CVT. While performance wasn't the primary focus, the Trax felt stable on twisty roads, with responsive electric power steering. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, and standard active noise cancellation enhanced refinement.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench seat or six with the Ultimate Calligraphy Package's captain's chairs. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 offered 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row, comparable to the Hyundai Palisade. The rear doors provided easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows was standard. Cargo space measured 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,323 and 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered competitive interior space, with headroom similar to the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. It provided more rear-seat legroom than the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks Play. Cargo space was 725 litres behind the rear seats, comparable to a Honda Civic hatchback, and expanded to 1,532 litres with seats folded. The Trax's tall seating position facilitated easy ingress and egress, while large exterior mirrors compensated for limited rear visibility. The front seats' inboard position allowed for large door pockets, though centre console storage was limited.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays, offering a familiar infotainment interface. Standard features included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The Ioniq 9 came with six USB-C ports, capable of charging laptops. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ configurations included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a four-speaker audio system on the base 1RS model. Higher trims received an 11-inch touchscreen, an all-digital 8-inch instrument cluster, and a six-speaker sound system. The LT model featured a digital cluster with a centred speed readout and a large touchscreen with a sensible layout. The touchscreen was angled toward the driver, making it less accessible for the front passenger.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, such as collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, safe-exit assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ versions added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims. The Trax included Chevy's Teen Driver monitoring system, which activated safety features and allowed parents to monitor their teens' driving behaviour. IIHS ratings were mixed, with a "Poor" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test but a "Good" rating in the small overlap front test.