2025 Hyundai Venue Vs. 2026 Chevrolet Trax: 5 Major Differences originally appeared on Autoblog.
Two of the industry’s cheapest crossovers collide
Vehicles are getting more expensive with each passing year, but the compact crossover segment features some of the cheapest models on the market. Among them are the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2025 Hyundai Venue, both of which start at under $25,000. While both compact crossovers are affordably priced, there are several significant differences to take into account.
1. Chevy Trax offers more interior space
While the Chevy Trax and Hyundai Venue may be compact crossovers, they both offer an impressive amount of cargo and passenger space. Of the two, the Trax wins out in both categories thanks to its 106-inch wheelbase, which tops the Venue’s 98-inch wheelbase.
The Trax offers up to 98 cu ft. of passenger space, with 38.7 inches of rear legroom and 55.7 and 54.3 inches of front and rear shoulder room, respectively. The Venue comes with just 91.9 cu ft. of passenger space, with 38.6 inches of rear headroom and 41.3 inches of front legroom.
When it comes to cargo space, the Chevy Trax offers up to 54.1 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. The Hyundai Venue features just 31.9 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear row stored.
2. The Hyundai Venue is cheaper
The 2026 Trax is already on the market, and it comes with a price increase. While the 2025 Trax started at just $20,500, the 2026 model is priced from $21,600, an $1,100 increase. The 2025 Hyundai Venue starts at just $20,200, undercutting the 2026 Chevy Trax by a significant amount. That may change once the 2026 Venue launches, but for now, Hyundai’s compact crossover is the winner here.
The story is relatively the same at the top of the range. The 2026 Chevy Trax 2RS and Activ models are priced identically, from $25,300. The Hyundai Venue Limited starts at just $23,450, a $1,850 difference. Per Hyundai, the 2026 Venue will come in just two trim levels, SE and SEL.
3. Chevy Trax dominates in performance
The Hyundai Venue comes equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to the automaker’s intelligent variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels. That powertrain produces an unimpressive 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Venue is rated for an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway across all trim levels.
The Chevy Trax is the clear winner when it comes to performance, with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine under the hood. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. That powertrain generates 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. While it may have more power, the Trax offers slightly less fuel economy, earning up to 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
4. Chevy Trax boasts a sleeker style
While neither the 2026 Chevy Trax nor the 2025 Hyundai Venue received any notable updates for their respective model years, the Trax has a significant advantage in terms of style. Chevy’s compact crossover received a significant redesign for the 2024 model year. With the update came sleeker lines giving way to an athletic aesthetic, more interior space, and improved technology.
The Hyundai Venue is the smallest crossover in the Korean automaker’s lineup. While the Venue isn’t ugly by any means, it also hasn’t seen much in the way of styling updates since it first hit the market in 2020. For the 2026 model year, the Venue is losing its top-spec Limited trim, leaving just two models to choose from. That’s not good news, and while the Venue is due for a redesign, it's unlikely to receive any major updates as its trim range shrinks.
5. The Chevy Trax offers more tech options
At the base level, the Chevy Trax and Hyundai Venue are closely matched, with eight-inch touchscreen displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and plenty of safety tech on the docket. Notably, the Trax gets standard Wi-Fi hotspot capability and Teen Driver mode, features the Venue lacks at all trim levels.
At the top of the range, the Trax pulls further away from the Venue. The Venue Limited gets wireless device charging capability, an optional feature in the Chevy Trax Activ. Interestingly, the top-spec Hyundai Venue downgrades to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The top-spec Trax gets upgraded to an 11-inch touchscreen display and an eight-inch driver information display.
Final thoughts
The compact crossover segment is proof that you don’t have to pay a fortune for a new vehicle fit for families. The Chevy Trax boasts plenty of interior space and modern tech, as well as an efficient and powerful engine. The Hyundai Venue is one of the cheapest vehicles in the industry, with the top-spec model boasting some upscale standard equipment, like wireless device charging and heated front seats, while starting at under $24,000. If you’re on a tight budget, a compact crossover could be your ticket to a new vehicle.
2025 Hyundai Venue Vs. 2026 Chevrolet Trax: 5 Major Differences first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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