Land Rover Defender vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2025 Defender lineup includes the 90, 110, and 130. The 90 is the short and stubby two-door, the 110 is the standard four-door, and the 130 is the extended four-door. They’re available with turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, as well as a turbocharged or supercharged V8. They’re all equipped for off-roading right out of the box, but you can add more tech for more challenging situations. The big news for this model year is the high-performance 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA.

Verdict: There is a Land Rover Defender for almost anyone, and any of them can take you farther into the wilderness than you expect. They’re rugged but refined, comfortable yet capable, and plenty of fun to drive. But the Defender comes at a cost, both on the window sticker and at the pump.

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.