2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
So, you are torn between saving serious cash or getting a more versatile setup? The 2026 Chevrolet Trax starts appealingly at just $21,600, significantly undercutting the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz's $29,500 price tag—a $7,900 initial savings. For city driving, the Trax clearly wins on efficiency, boasting a combined 30 MPG compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG, and its smaller footprint (178.6 inches long) makes parking a breeze. However, the Santa Cruz offers substantially more pep with 191 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp, making the longer vehicle feel zippier despite its lower efficiency. While the Trax offers 25.6 cu ft of cargo space, the Santa Cruz’s crossover/truck hybrid design suggests greater utility for hauling larger, potentially messier items, which is crucial if you need something beyond the standard hatch area.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Chevrolet Trax
The Trax is the better choice for daily commuters due to its $7,900 lower starting price and superior 30 combined MPG efficiency.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz’s longer 195.7-inch frame and greater overall versatility, implied by its unique body style, suits family needs better than the standard crossover design.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz delivers significantly more performance with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque compared to the Trax's 137 hp.
2026 Chevrolet Trax
The Trax offers exceptional basic transportation value by saving $7,900 upfront and delivering 5 MPG better fuel economy.
Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...
- Your budget is firm, as the Trax starts $7,900 less than the Santa Cruz.
- You prioritize fuel economy, given the Trax’s 30 combined MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG.
- You mostly drive in tight city environments where the Trax's shorter 178.6-inch length is advantageous.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You need more power, as the Santa Cruz offers an extra 54 hp (191 hp total).
- You plan on hauling irregularly shaped items that might benefit from the Santa Cruz's truck bed-like utility.
- You prefer smoother shifting thanks to the Santa Cruz's 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the Trax's 6-speed.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Trax | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 178.6" | 195.7" |
| Width | 71.8" | 75.0" |
| Height | 61.4" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 106.0" | 118.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.2 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | flex-fuel (FFV) | gas |
| Horsepower | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | 181 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 | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/32 MPG | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 369.6/422.4 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 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 | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.9 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.7 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.1 in. | 54.5 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 | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.1 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.3 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.8 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Steel | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R17 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
What is the actual difference in cost between the 2026 Trax and the 2026 Santa Cruz?
The MSRP gap is substantial: the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $29,500, making it $7,900 more expensive than the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, which is listed at $21,600.
Which vehicle is more practical for long highway commutes?
While the Trax has better highway efficiency (32 MPG), the Santa Cruz provides significantly more power (191 hp vs 137 hp) for easier passing on open roads.
Does the Trax offer the same hauling capability as the Santa Cruz?
No, the Trax has 25.6 cu ft of standard cargo capacity, but the Santa Cruz’s crossover/truck configuration suggests greater flexibility for hauling larger or dirtier items not suitable for a typical enclosed crossover area.
Is the difference in horsepower noticeable for everyday driving?
Yes, the 54 hp difference means the Santa Cruz, with 191 hp, will accelerate more briskly than the 137 hp Trax, which is important when merging onto fast traffic.
Which vehicle requires less frequent stops at the gas station?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax will require fewer trips to the pump; its 30 combined MPG beats the Santa Cruz's 25 combined MPG by a margin of 5 miles per gallon.
Are the physical sizes very different for parking convenience?
They are quite different in footprint; the Trax measures 178.6 inches long, while the Santa Cruz is nearly 7 inches longer at 195.7 inches, making the Trax easier to maneuver and park.
More Budget SUVs Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool