If you’re in the market for a subcompact crossover SUV, you’ll be looking for a vehicle that combines comfort, versatility, and efficient performance. The Hyundai KONA has long been at the forefront of its class, and one of its fiercest rivals is the Chevrolet Trax. Hyundai and Chevy have fully redesigned the 2024 models of the KONA and Trax, respectively, to try and stay ahead of the field. Our team at Dublin Hyundai created this comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
The KONA is available with gasoline and all-electric powertrains, while Chevrolet only offers the Trax with a gas engine. Our team at Dublin Hyundai compared the gas-powered KONA and small Trax SUVs to show you why the 2024 Hyundai KONA is the best choice.
Designs and Style
The all-new 2024 Hyundai KONA stands out from the crowd with its bold, futuristic front fascia, chiseled aerodynamic profile, and distinctive full-width front and rear lighting signature that give it a dynamic road presence. It looks at home negotiating city streets, cruising freeways, or tackling winding backroads.
Inside, the KONA has a spacious, airy feel, and the ergonomic, driver-centric cockpit offers an array of standard and available technology. Behind the rear seats, you have a 25.5 cubic foot cargo area, while folding down the rear seats gives you an impressive 63.7 cubic feet of space for your gear.
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax also features distinctive styling cues but has a more standard SUV design similar to other models in its class. It offers function and form but isn’t likely to attract attention as you run errands around town, tackle the school run, or do your daily commute.
The Trax’s cabin doesn’t feel as roomy and offers slightly less passenger volume, with 99.8 cubic feet compared to the KONA ‘s 101.2 cubic feet. The Trax gives you similar cargo space behind the rear seats, with 25.6 cubic feet, but only offers an area of 54.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Trim Levels and Prices
With the Hyundai KONA, you can choose from SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trim levels, each with unique character and design cues. The well-equipped lower trims are versatile thanks to their flexible seating configurations. The N Line offers a sporty design, while the Limited has an upscale feel and additional creature comforts.
The KONA ‘s base engine is a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. The N Line and Limited trims feature a potent turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that delivers 190 horsepower via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all trims.
The Chevrolet Trax is available in the LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ trims. Each model offers increasing levels of comfort and equipment. The price of the top two trims is the same, but the 2RS has sporty styling cues, while the Activ adds comfort features. Only one powertrain is available — a 137-horsepower three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive isn’t an option.
The starting MRSP for the various trim levels of the Kona are:
- Kona SE: $24,100.
- Kona SEL: $25,450.
- Kona N Line: $30,650.
- Kona Limited: $31,650.
The Chevy Trax starts at:
- Trax LS: $21,495.
- Trax 1RS: $23,195.
- Trax LT: $23,395.
- Trax: 2RS: $24,995.
- Trax Activ: $24,995.
The Kona may cost a little more, but you get a lot more for your money.
Internal and External Features
Standard features of the Hyundai KONA SE include proximity key entry with a push-button start, cloth upholstery, two-stage reclining rear seats, and air conditioning. Moving up the trim levels gets you features such as heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, LED ambient lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power sunroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. If you step up to the Limited trim, you’ll enjoy faux leather upholstery and ventilated front seats.
The KONA ‘s stylish exterior features include active grille shutters, LED front and rear lighting, alloy wheels, and color-keyed mirrors and door handles. The N Line has unique front and rear fascias and design cues, such as N Line badging, 19-inch wheels, gloss-black mirrors, and a dual-tipped exhaust.
Inside the entry-level Chevrolet Trax, you’ll find cloth seats and air conditioning. The LT trim and above offer single-zone automatic climate control. Only the top trims have keyless entry, simulated leather seating, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat. Available packages offer additional features.
External features on the Trax LS include LED front lighting, steel wheels, and a rear spoiler. Higher trims offer alloy wheels, body-color mirrors, and roof rails. The sportier RS variants boast 18- or 19-inch wheels, unique badging, and RS exterior trim, while the Activ has model-specific badges.
Technology
The KONA SE has a 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster. A configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display is standard in the top two trims and available on the SEL. The standard infotainment system features a 12.3-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite and HD Radio, and dual front and rear USB ports.
Hyundai offers its Bluelink Connected Car Services on all models, allowing you to operate certain vehicle functions remotely from your smartphone. Available technology includes navigation, dynamic voice recognition, a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging, and a Bose eight-speaker audio system.
The Trax offers a 3.5-inch driver information display, an 8-inch infotainment touch screen, Bluetooth, voice command, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, wireless smartphone integration, and front USB ports. You get Chevrolet Connected Access capability with a monthly subscription for remote access. You have to move up to the LT trim for an 8-inch digital instrument display, an 11-inch touch screen, a six-speaker sound system, and rear USB ports.
Safety Features
All KONA trims feature the Hyundai SmartSense suite of driver-assist technologies. It includes a blind-spot view monitor, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane following assist, lane-keeping assist, a driver attention warning, and high beam assist. A rear occupant alert and a safe exit warning are also standard.
With the Trax, you get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. You must step up to higher trim levels to get the KONA ‘s other standard safety features.
Ready To Find Out Why the Hyundai KONA Is a Winner?
With its cutting-edge design, superior cargo space, more powerful engines, and additional standard technology and safety features, the 2024 Hyundai KONA stands head and shoulders above the Chevrolet Trax. To see for yourself, contact us at Dublin Hyundai today to arrange a test drive.
a car driving on a dirt road in the woods by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License
a green suv parked in a grassy field by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License
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