2024 Chevrolet Trax vs. 2024 Kia Seltos Comparison

It’s no secret that SUVs are the vehicles of choice for most Americans, and the subcompact category is the most affordable group of these popular vehicles. At price points starting below $25,000, what manufacturers choose to offer on their subcompact SUV lineups can make a big difference in a decision.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax is totally made over from its old, outdated self. Fresh sheet metal and plenty of desirable standard equipment, including new tech and safety features, bring the Trax back to relevance.

The 2024 Kia Seltos is an updated version.  It was already a strong competitor.

Let’s see how these two stack up against each other.

2024 Chevrolet Trax

2024 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV in green near a lake.

The new Trax is longer, lower, and wider than before, giving it more interior space and better looks. The updated interior feels open and modern, especially with the available 8-inch driver information screen and 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. Six Chevy Safety Assist driver-aid technologies now come standard. There’s one engine offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) across the lineup. It won’t be known for invigorating engine performance, but its combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg will likely be the bigger deciding factor for most buyers. A planted, almost sporty handling demeanor reminds us more of driving a small car than an SUV, which is a pleasant bonus. There are five trims from which to choose, and the entry-level Trax starts at $20,400.

Chevrolet Trax Highlights

Low entry price: The Trax is the most affordable entry in the class, and there’s an extremely reasonable $3,500 spread in the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) between the lowest and highest trims. Even the two top grades loaded with available factory options come in under $28K, while the two top Seltos models cost more before adding any extras.

Rear legroom: If your passengers are of typical adult height, they’ll appreciate the class-leading 38.7 inches of legroom in the back seat. The Seltos was the previous class leader with an also-impressive 38 inches.

Easy to use tech: Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a win-win for everyone in today’s smartphone-crazy world. The Seltos also includes both, though you’ll still have to keep a cord handy to plug in the phone in upper trims.

2024 Kia Seltos

2024 Kia Seltos SX in white near tree and grass.

Kia’s refresh of the already excellent Seltos includes fresh styling cues, updated infotainment, plus more power and a better transmission on the turbo models. It’s one of the most spacious choices in both passenger and cargo room, and nothing in the class offers a longer warranty. There are two efficient engines and a choice between all-wheel drive (AWD) and FWD. The Seltos also comes in five different grades, and pricing starts at $24,390.

Kia Seltos Highlights

Engine options:  A little power boost is available with a 195-horsepower turbocharged engine option, 20 more than before. The Trax doesn’t offer a peppier engine.

Best-in-class warranty: Kia has made its name by offering a generous 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. For buyers planning to keep their new cars for a long time, there’s no better peace of mind than knowing a potentially expensive repair won’t come out of pocket. The Trax has the typical 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.

More premium features: Nice-to-have items like a power tailgate, ventilated front seats, and an 8-speaker Bose stereo with mood lighting are all available on the top-of-the-line Seltos. The Trax sticks a little closer to its subcompact roots with a more utilitarian feature list.

Similarities

The passenger room and cargo space are comparable, and the standard engines are close in power. Both come with helpful standard driver aids, and they offer fun exterior paint colors to liven things up.

Conclusion

If budget is the most important factor in your decision, the Chevrolet Trax is hard to fault. It has everything you really need, plus great standard features like LED headlights, wireless smartphone integration (Not available in the Kia Seltos), and active noise cancellation. It looks like a miniature Blazer and is surprisingly nimble to drive.

If you have a bigger budget and want a few more luxurious options, the Kia Seltos is a fantastic choice. The base engine is more fuel efficient, and the warranty is the best in the business.  The Seltos has brown and green upholstery choices for those who abhor a dark interior.

Those with more dollars to spend might be happier with the extra perks in the Kia Seltos, but the frugal shopper would be just as happy with a Trax.

2024 Chevrolet Trax 2024 Kia Seltos
Starting Price $20,400 $24,390
Popular Powertrains
Engine 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm 146 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic CVT automatic
Drivetrain FWD FWD
Fuel Economy 28 city/32 highway/30 combined mpg 28 city/34 highway/31 combined mpg
Also Available n/a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 8-speed automatic; AWD
Specs
Basic Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles 5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty 5 years/60,000 miles 10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety Rating TBD TBD
Max Seating Capacity 5 5
Wheelbase 106.3 inches 103.5 inches
Overall Length 178.6 inches 172.6 inches
Width 71.8 inches 70.9 inches
Height 61.4 inches 63.4 inches
Turning Diameter TBD 34.8 feet
Headroom, Front 39.6 inches 40.0 inches
Headroom, Rear 38.1 inches 38.4 inches
Legroom, Front 41.9 inches 41.4 inches
Legroom, Rear 38.7 inches 38.0 inches
Shoulder Room, Front 55.7 inches 55.5 inches
Shoulder Room, Rear 54.3 inches 54.7 inches
Cargo Volume 25.6/54.1 cubic feet 26.6/62.8 cubic feet