2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Chevrolet Trax

$28,750 · Crossover

$21,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the fun, capable 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the budget-friendly 2026 Chevrolet Trax is a classic dilemma: do you pay more for versatility or save upfront? The Santa Cruz starts at a higher MSRP of $28,750, compared to the Trax’s low $21,600 price tag. This $7,150 difference buys the Santa Cruz significant power, boasting 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque against the Trax's 137 hp and 162 lb-ft. While the Santa Cruz is larger at 195.7 inches long, the Trax wins on efficiency, delivering a superior 30 MPG combined versus the Santa Cruz’s 25 MPG combined. The Santa Cruz’s extra size might suit those needing a bit more road presence, but the Trax keeps more money in your pocket and minimizes fuel stops.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax wins for daily commuting due to its significantly better 30 MPG combined fuel economy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers greater physical dimensions (195.7 inches long) which usually translates to better interior comfort and flexibility.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

With 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, the Santa Cruz offers a far more engaging driving experience than the Trax’s 137 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax is the clear value choice, saving buyers $7,150 in initial purchase price while still delivering respectable efficiency.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You prioritize horsepower and want 191 hp for quicker acceleration.
You need the added utility of the Santa Cruz's unlisted but implied truck bed area for hauling.
You prefer the slightly larger footprint, evidenced by its 195.7-inch length.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

Keeping the initial purchase price low is essential, given the $21,600 MSRP.
Maximizing fuel economy is key, as the Trax achieves 30 MPG combined.
You need practical space, utilizing the Trax's 25.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Cruz	Chevrolet Trax
Length	195.7"	178.6"
Width	75.0"	71.8"
Height	66.7"	61.4"
Wheelbase	118.3"	106.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.2 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 3
Base Engine Type	gas	flex-fuel (FFV)
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/30 MPG	28/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	389.4/531.0 mi.	369.6/422.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Push Button Start	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	52.1 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.5 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	54.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	45.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Steel
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	225/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Chevrolet
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2026 Chevrolet Trax.

How much more expensive is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz than the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?

The Santa Cruz carries a notable starting price difference of $7,150; its MSRP is $28,750, while the Trax starts much lower at $21,600.

Which vehicle is significantly better on gas for long commutes?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is the clear winner for efficiency, achieving a combined 30 MPG compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined rating.

Is the difference in horsepower noticeable between these two crossovers?

Yes, the Santa Cruz produces 191 hp, which is substantially more power than the Trax’s 137 hp, making the Santa Cruz feel peppier, especially when accelerating.

Does the smaller size of the Trax affect its hauling capability?

While the Santa Cruz is marketed with more utility, the Trax explicitly lists 25.6 cu ft of cargo capacity behind the second row, which is a solid number for a subcompact crossover.

Are both vehicles restricted to front-wheel drive?

Based on the data provided, both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2026 Chevrolet Trax are listed as having standard front-wheel drive configurations.

How do the transmission types compare between the two?

The Santa Cruz uses a more sophisticated 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Trax utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.