Subcompact crossovers like the 2020 Chevy Trax and 2020 Jeep Renegade offer buyers tiny footprints for tight city traffic and the room to haul people and cargo. Which of these models is best for our Jacksonville area crossover shoppers? Continue reading to find out.
Exterior
The subcompact crossover segment has many designs that range from toned down to wild, and the 2020 Chevy Trax and 2020 Jeep Renegade sit on opposite sides of that spectrum.
The 2020 Jeep Renegade is on the wild side of this spectrum with its upright, toaster-on-wheels design language. Years ago, this was a polarizing design, but it has now become relatively common in this segment. The Renegade further teases the eye with “X” Easter eggs hidden throughout its design. Can you find them all?
Pushing the Renegade’s design further to the extreme is the off-road-ready Trailhawk model with its high ride height, off-road wheels, low-gloss-black hood decal, red accents, and more.
The Trax is on the timider side of the design spectrum, though its compact footprint and relatively high ride height give it somewhat odd proportions. Overall, though, its design is very straightforward and easy for just about any buyer to accept. Basically, it’s not going to knock anyone’s socks off, but it also won’t upset any buyers’ stomachs just by looking at it.
Unfortunately, the Trax has no match to the wild and capable Renegade Trailhawk.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Trax | 2020 Jeep Renegade | Difference |
| Length | 167.2 inches | 166.6 inches | +0.6 inches |
| Width | 69.9 inches | 73.9 inches | -4 inches |
| Height | 64.9 inches | 66.5 inches | -1.6 inches |
| Wheelbase | 100.6 inches | 101.2 inches | -0.5 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 6.2 inches | 6.7 to 8.7 inches | -2.5 to -0.5 inches |
| Curb weight | 3,124 to 3,201 pounds | 3,161 to 3,527 pounds | -403 to +40 pounds |
Advantage: 2020 Jeep Renegade
- Wild design
- Even wilder Trailhawk
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Trax
- Timid design is more palatable
- Lighter and nimbler
Interior
Inside, the Jeep Renegade’s wild design tones down a bit, but it doesn’t go away completely. Some highlights include its dash-top air vents, passenger-side grab bar, accented speaker surrounds, chunky steering wheel, and more. Moving into the Trailhawk model adds to this with contrast stitching, unique seats, red contrasts, and more.
The 2020 Chevy Trax’s cabin is just as straightforward as its exterior design. Granted, there are more swoops and shapes to the Trax’s cabin than it has on the outside, but it is still just as inoffensive and easy to digest.
Neither of these entry-level crossovers are loaded to the gills with features in their respective base models, but they aren’t stripped down either. The Jeep Renegade rolls in with a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless ignition, power windows with one-touch up/down in front, front and rear carpeted floor mats, premium cloth seating with mesh inserts, a fold-forward front passenger’s seat, and more.
The 2020 Chevy Trax matches all the Renegade’s base trim offers but adds a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay for the techier shopper.
In terms of space, the Renegade’s blocky body allows for more room inside in most key measurables. The Trax does get wins in a few key areas, though, including 0.6 inches more rear legroom and an extra 0.2 cubes of cargo room with the rear seats upright.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Trax | 2020 Jeep Renegade | Difference |
| Front headroom | 39.6 inches | 39.7 to 41.1 inches | -1.5 to -0.1 inches |
| Front legroom | 40.8 inches | 41.2 inches | -0.4 inches |
| Front shoulder room | 54.1 inches | 55.9 inches | -1.8 inches |
| Front hip room | 51.7 inches | 53.1 inches | -1.4 inches |
| Rear headroom | 38.8 inches | 40.5 inches | -1.7 inches |
| Rear legroom | 35.7 inches | 35.1 inches | +0.6 inches |
| Rear shoulder room | 52.8 inches | 55.1 inches | -2.3 inches |
| Rear hip room | 50.7 inches | 51.9 inches | -1.2 inches |
| Cargo room (seats upright) | 18.7 cubic feet | 18.5 cubic feet | +0.2 cubic feet |
| Cargo rom (rear seats folded) | 48.4 cubic feet | 50.8 cubic feet | -2.4 cubic feet |
Advantage: 2020 Jeep Renegade
- Roomier in most measurements
- Stylish and interesting design
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Trax
- More rear legroom
- More traditional cabin design
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Larger standard touchscreen
Performance
Subcompact crossovers are the last place you’ll want to look for performance, but they are your first stop for efficiency and usefulness. The 2020 Trax uses a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that cranks out 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. This travels through a six-speed automatic transmission and out to the front or all four wheels, adding up to a 9.3-second 0-to-60 time.
The 2020 Jeep Renegade has two engine options, but they offer similar performance. The base unit is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque for a 9-second 0-to-60 print. The optional 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder delivers 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet, which sprints it to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. Both engines pair to a nine-speed automatic transmission and can to up to 2,000 pounds with four-wheel drive.
Where the Renegade really separates itself is the Trailhawk model with its huge ground clearance, advanced four-wheel drive, and off-road-tuned drive modes. The Trax can handle light off-roading, but the Renegade Trailhawk is in a different class altogether.
| 2020 Chevy Trax | 2020 Jeep Renegade | Difference | |
| Standard engine | 1.4-liter turbo 4-cyl | 2.4-liter 4-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | 138 hp at 4,900 rpm | 180 hp at 6,400 | -42 hp |
| Torque | 148 lb-ft at 1,850 rpm | 175 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm | -27 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-spd automatic | 9-spd automatic | – |
| Driveline | FWD (std)/AWD (opt) | FWD (std)/4WD (opt) | – |
| 0-60 time | 9.3 seconds | 9 seconds | +0.3 seconds |
| Towing capacity | Not recommended | 2,000 pounds (4WD only) | -2,000 pounds |
| MPG City | 24 to 26 mpg | 21 to 22 mpg | +2 to +5 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29 to 31 mpg | 29 to 30 mpg | -1 to +2 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 26 to 28 mpg | 24 to 25 mpg | +1 to +4 mpg |
| Optional engine | – | 1.3-liter turbo 4-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | – | 177 hp at 5,750 rpm | -39 hp |
| Torque | – | 210 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm | -62 lb-ft |
| Transmission | – | 9-spd automatic | – |
| Driveline | – | FWD (std)/4WD (opt) | – |
| 0-60 time | – | 8.8 seconds | +0.5 seconds |
| Towing capacity | – | 2,000 pounds (4WD only) | -2,000 pounds |
| MPG City | – | 22 to 24 mpg | +0 to +4 |
| MPG Highway | – | 27 to 32 mpg | -3 to +4 mpg |
| MPG Combined | – | 24 to 27 mpg | -1 to +4 mpg |
Advantage: 2020 Jeep Renegade
- Slight acceleration advantage
- Rugged Trailhawk model
- Advanced four-wheel drive
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Trax
- Better fuel economy
- More car-like ride
Pricing and Features
The 2020 Jeep Renegade has four trims – Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk, and Limited – and their starting prices range from $22,275 to $26,645.
There are just three trims in the 2020 Chevy Trax lineup: LS, LT, and Premier. Their starting prices range from $22,295 to $28,595.
2020 Jeep Renegade Key Features and Pricing by Trim
Sport: $22,275
- 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Electric power steering
- Normal-duty suspension
- 16-inch black styled-steel wheels
- Black door handles
- Black front fascia
- Black grille surround with chrome rings
- Black mirrors with power adjust and heat
- Daytime running lights
- Halogen headlights
- Halogen taillights
- Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Rear wiper
- Cruise control
- Keyless ignition
- Power windows with one-touch up/down in front
- Manual climate control
- Height-adjustable load floor
- Four cargo area tie-down loops
- Vinyl door panel trim
- 3.5-inch black-and-white color display
- Front and rear carpeted floor mats
- Outside temperature display
- Premium cloth seating with mesh inserts
- Fold-forward front passenger’s seat
- Six-way manual driver’s seat
- Four-way manual passenger’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
- Urethane steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio
- USB port and auxiliary input jack
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
- Uconnect 3 infotainment system
- 5-inch touchscreen
- Brake assist
- Electronic parking brake
- Hill-start assist
- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
- Push-button ignition
Latitude: $24,125
- All Sport features, plus
- 17-inch Tech Silver aluminum-alloy wheels
- Body-color door handles
- Body-color mirrors
- Deep-tinted glass
- Auto-on/off headlights
- Cornering fog lights
- Black roof rails
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Ambient LED interior lighting
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Premium cloth seating with embossed cloth inserts
- Premium-wrapped steering wheel
- Uconnect 4 infotainment system
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Rear charge-only USB port
- SiriusXM
Trailhawk: $27,795
- All Latitude features, plus
- 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine
- Nine-speed Auto Stick transmission
- Full-time four-wheel drive with 21-to-1 crawl
- Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock drive modes
- 0.8-inch higher ride height
- Unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
- Unique front and rear fascia
- Skid plates over fuel tank, transmission, transfer case, and front suspension
- Front and rear tow hooks
- Signature red accents
- Black grille surround with Neutral Grey rings
- Low-gloss-black hood decal
- Mirror-integrated turn signals
- Neutral Grey-accented side mirrors
- Black roof
- Full-size spare tire
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Ruby Red interior accents
- 7-inch digital gauge cluster
- All-season floor mats
- 115-volt power outlet
- Premium cloth seating with topographic insert
- Ruby Red accent stitching
- Embroidered “Trailhawk” emblem on seatbacks
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- Hill-descent control
Limited: $26,645
- All Latitude features, plus
- 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Nine-speed Auto Stick transmission
- Silver grille surround with chrome rings
- Mirror-integrated turn signals with silver accent
- 18-inch painted aluminum wheels
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Vinyl door trim
- 7-inch digital gauge cluster
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- 115-watt power outlet
- Premium leather-trimmed seats
- Heated front seats
- Six-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar
- Four-way manual passenger’s seat
- 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat
- Leather-wrapped shifter
- Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel
- Keyless Enter ‘n Go
- Remote ignition
2020 Chevy Trax Key Features and Pricing by Trim
LS: $22,295
- 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Power steering
- 16-inch painted aluminum wheels
- Acoustic laminated windshield
- Beltline moldings
- Body-color door handles
- Body-color liftgate applique
- Body-color outside mirrors
- Compact spare tire
- Daytime running lights
- Intermittent windshield wipers
- Halogen reflector headlights
- Rear intermittent wiper
- Four-way manual driver’s seat
- Two-way manual passenger’s seat
- 3.5-inch driver-information center
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- Six-speaker audio system
- Eight-point digital compass
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Four cargo area tie-downs
- Chevrolet Connected Access Capable
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Cloth seating
- Flat-folding front passenger-side seat
- Carpeted front and rear floor mats
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- OnStar
- Power door locks
- Power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down
- Covered cargo area
- Rear heat duct
- Remote keyless entry
- Satin-silver and chrome shifter knob
- Single-zone manual climate control
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Dual USB ports
- Rearview camera
LT: $24,195
- All LS features, plus
- Skid plates
- Heated mirrors
- Deep-tinted glass
- Halogen projector headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED taillights
- Roof-mounted side rails
- 110-volt power outlet
- Rear cargo shelf
- Cruise control
- Deluxe cloth seating
- Front passenger under-seat storage
- Remote ignition
- SiriusXM
Premier: $28,595
- All LT features, plus
- Keyless ignition
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- Chrome-accented door handles
- Chrome liftgate applique
- Fog lights
- Power sunroof
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- Bose seven-speaker audio system
- Bright front sill plates
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Keyless unlock
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Leatherette seating trim
- Forward collision alert
- Lane-departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear park assist
- Blind-zone monitors
Who Should Buy the 2020 Jeep Renegade
Buyers who like to stand out in the crowd will find their match in the wild-styled 2020 Jeep Renegade. Also, buyers who do a lot of moderate-duty off-roading will find a willing partner in the Renegade Trailhawk.
Who Should Buy the 2020 Chevy Trax
Want an affordable subcompact crossover with great standard features? The 2020 Chevy Trax offers that and superior fuel economy to help you save even more cash.
Ready to see what the 2020 Chevy Trax can offer you and your Green Cove Springs area family? Come down to the Garber Automall new-car showroom serving Orange Park, Fleming Island, and the surrounding areas today to take one for a spin. Can’t make it today? Check out all our in-stock 2020 Trax models, choose a few that suit your needs, then schedule a test drive around your busy life.
