2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Ford Maverick

$21,600 · Crossover

$28,145 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the radically affordable 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the highly efficient 2026 Ford Maverick presents a classic dilemma: stretching the budget for utility versus saving upfront for daily driving ease. The Trax starts at an impressively low $21,600, significantly undercutting the Maverick’s $28,145 MSRP—a $6,545 initial savings. While the Maverick boasts superior fuel economy with 38 combined MPG compared to the Trax's 30 combined MPG, the Trax still offers respectable 28/32 MPG city/highway. Performance favors the Maverick, which packs 191 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp. However, the Trax is physically smaller (178.6 inches long versus 199.8 inches for the Maverick), which aids tight city parking. Your final choice hinges on prioritizing that initial $6,545 savings against the Maverick's long-term fuel savings and added power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax wins for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $21,600 and tighter dimensions (178.6 inches long).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick is better suited for families because its significantly taller stature (68.8 inches) and longer frame likely offer more practical interior and cargo space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick is the clear enthusiast choice, delivering 191 hp, a substantial 54 hp advantage over the Trax's 137 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax provides superior overall value by saving buyers $6,545 on the sticker price, despite the Maverick's better fuel economy.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You need the absolute lowest upfront cost, with an MSRP starting at just $21,600.
Your primary concern is easy maneuvering and parking, thanks to its smaller 178.6-inch length.
You prefer a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission over the Maverick's electrically variable unit.

Choose the Ford Maverick if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency is crucial, as the Maverick achieves 38 combined MPG (8 MPG better than car1).
You require more performance from the engine, benefiting from the 191 hp output.
You can utilize the extra vertical space provided by its 68.8-inch height for larger cargo needs.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Trax	Ford Maverick
Length	178.6"	199.8"
Width	71.8"	72.6"
Height	61.4"	68.8"
Wheelbase	106.0"	121.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	flex-fuel (FFV)	hybrid
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	191 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	electrically variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/32 MPG	42/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	38 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	579.6/483.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	13.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
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	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	13.2 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	42.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	52.1 in.	55.4 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	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	35.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.3 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	45.8 in.	54.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Steel
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	17 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	P225/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Ford
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Ford Maverick.

What is the main financial difference between the 2026 Trax and the 2026 Maverick?

The primary financial difference is the starting price; the 2026 Chevrolet Trax has an MSRP of $21,600, while the 2026 Ford Maverick starts at $28,145, creating a $6,545 upfront cost difference.

Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for long commutes?

The 2026 Ford Maverick is significantly more efficient, boasting 38 combined MPG, compared to the 2026 Chevrolet Trax's 30 combined MPG.

How much more powerful is the Ford Maverick compared to the Chevy Trax?

The Maverick offers substantially more power, generating 191 hp, which is 54 hp more than the Trax’s 137 hp.

If I drive mainly in the city, is the smaller Trax or larger Maverick better?

Although both are FWD, the Trax is physically smaller at 178.6 inches long and 61.4 inches high, making it slightly easier to navigate and park in congested city environments than the longer Maverick.

Do both vehicles require the same type of fuel?

Yes, both the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the 2026 Ford Maverick specify regular unleaded fuel for optimal performance.

How does the standard cargo space compare between these two competitors?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offers 25.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity; however, the larger external dimensions of the 2026 Ford Maverick (199.8 inches long) suggest its storage capacity may surpass the Trax when factoring in usable volume.