Compare the2026 Chevrolet TraxVS 2026 Hyundai Kona

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Trax achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Hyundai Kona has not been tested.

Both the Trax and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Hyundai Kona:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

The Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Trax is faster than the Kona SE/SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Trax gets better mileage than the Kona:

The Trax has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Kona doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system or a tether to prevent losing the cap.

For better stopping power the Trax’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

The Trax stops much shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the Trax has larger standard tires than the Kona (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Trax has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Kona doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Kona (106.3 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Trax uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kona doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trax has .2 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Kona.

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Kona can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trax’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kona does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Trax’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Kona’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically. The Kona SEL/Limited’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to lower them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trax’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kona doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Bluelink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV higher than the Hyundai Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 2024. The Kona has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Hyundai Kona by over two to one during 2024.