Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The Trax is the cheapest new car Chevrolet sells in Canada. It takes the place of compact sedans and hatchbacks in the Bowtie brand’s lineup while competing with entry-level crossover SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue and the Nissan Kicks Play. The current Trax was introduced for the 2024 model year, and for 2026 the only changes are two new exterior colour options. White Sands is available with Activ and RS models, while Apex Red is available with RS and LT models.

Verdict: Blending elements of compact cars and crossover SUVs, the Trax hits a sweet spot of utility and affordability. It’s also pleasant to drive and offers impressive infotainment tech, but a lack of solid safety ratings and all-wheel drive are the trade-offs.

Although the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t the first three-row electric SUV through the door, it may be the best choice for most shoppers. With a starting price of $59,999 before fees and qualifying for EV rebates where they still exist, it’s much more affordable than a Tesla Model X or a Rivian R1S. And its standard 110.3-kWh battery pack provides a long range compared to a base-model Kia EV9.

Verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t a perfect vehicle, but it offers terrific passenger space, good tech, and family-friendly features. Shoppers may find its design polarizing — you could easily say the same about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Ioniq 6 — but families interested in electric vehicles will do well to test drive this new option.