Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

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 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has not been tested.

Both the Trax and the Corolla Cross Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

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

The Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th.

The Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 152) than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Trax’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Trax has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Trax stops shorter than the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

For better traction, the Trax has larger standard tires than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17). The Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid (245/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Trax LS/LT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Trax RS’ optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax RS offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Trax has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross Hybrid (106.3 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The front grille of the Trax offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Trax has 9.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (98 vs. 88.4).

The Trax has 1 inch more front headroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The Trax has a much larger cargo volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid with its rear seat up (25.6 vs. 21.5 cubic feet).

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Trax’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross Hybrid S’ standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Trax has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XSE/Nightshade.

On extremely cold winter days, the Trax’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV higher than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE.

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

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Toyota Corolla Cross by over two to one during 2024.