2026–27 Chevrolet Trax vs Honda HR-V: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the HR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (62% vs 50.6%) and more available power (158 hp vs 137 hp). Choose the Trax if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 28 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Trax 2 pts · HR-V 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trax | 2027 HR-V | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $26,600 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 50.6% | 62% | HR-V |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 30 mpg | 28 mpg | Trax |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 137 hp | 158 hp | HR-V |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 24.4 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 5.1% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 5 | Trax |
| Weighted points | 2 | 2.5 | HR-V |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Trax — 30 mpg vs 28 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trax 5 vs HR-V 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the HR-V — 62% vs 50.6% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified HR-V buyers paid a median 5.1% off MSRP across 38 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 7.9% off. Used, the median asking price is $19,692 for the Trax and $24,650 for the HR-V (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Trax: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- HR-V: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Trax 2, HR-V 5.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Trax | 2027 HR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $26,600 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $30,450 |
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 158 hp |
| Max torque | 162 lb-ft | 138 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 29–30 mpg | 27–28 mpg |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 24.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Trax lists for a median $13,750 — 50.6% of today's median new price of $27,174. A 5-year-old (2021) HR-V lists for a median $19,428 — 62% of today's median new price of $31,350.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Chevrolet Trax for sale →
- See 25,241 new 2027 Honda HR-Vs for sale →Median listed price $31,800 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Chevrolet Trax
More on the Honda HR-V
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trax better than the HR-V?
On our data, no — the HR-V comes out ahead. Our pick: the HR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (62% vs 50.6%) and more available power (158 hp vs 137 hp). Choose the Trax if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 28 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Trax or the HR-V?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Trax and 5 for the HR-V.
Which holds its value better, the Trax or the HR-V?
The HR-V: a 5-year-old example lists for 62% of the new price, versus 50.6% for the Trax, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Trax or the HR-V?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trax or the HR-V?
The Trax: up to 30 mpg combined vs 28 mpg for the HR-V (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Chevrolet Trax vs Honda HR-V: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trax-vs-honda-hr-v, updated November 8, 2026.