Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona

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.

That there are no major changes for the 2025 Hyundai Kona is neither a surprise nor a bad thing. Not a surprise because this second-generation model only made its debut a year ago, making it too soon to expect any major updates. And not a bad thing because, frankly, the second-generation Kona was already a great subcompact SUV.

Time does not stand still, though, particularly when it comes to crossovers, so it’s time to find out how the Kona performs one year on and whether it continues to deliver value in an increasingly busy part of the market.