2025 Chevrolet Trax vs. Ford Escape

The compact SUV market’s getting hot with the 2025 Chevrolet Trax and Ford Escape leading the charge. Picking between them can be pretty exciting. We’ll break down how these popular options stack up against each other so you can figure out which one’s right for you. We’ll talk about everything you need to know, from how they drive to what you get for your money.

Performance and Powertrains

Pop the hood on a 2025 Chevrolet Trax and you’ll find a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that kicks out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Chevy pairs this with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done for daily runs and weekend trips.

The 2025 Ford Escape has more options. Start with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder pushing 180 horsepower. Need more oomph? Grab the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 250 horsepower. Ford also makes a hybrid combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for 192 total horsepower. Gas Escapes get an eight-speed automatic, while hybrids use a continuously variable transmission. Unlike the Trax, you can get all-wheel drive on any Escape.

The Trax hits 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. With its standard three-cylinder engine, the Escape reaches 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. Choosing the four-cylinder gets you to the same speed in 5.8 seconds. Still, the smaller and lighter Trax handles like a charm — it’s perfect for zipping through traffic between Richmond and Lexington.

Fuel Economy

Gas money matters. The Chevrolet Trax sips fuel pretty reasonably at 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. This efficiency helps families and commuters save without giving up SUV utility.

The Escape’s numbers vary with engine choice. The base 1.5-liter with front-wheel drive matches the Trax at 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 30 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, that drops to 26 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The 2.0-liter, which only comes with an all-wheel-drive powertrain, returns 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. A hybrid Escape hits 42 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined.

Design and Interior Features

Both SUVs look sharp but have their own style. The Trax rocks a modern, youthful vibe with sleek lines and a bold grille. Inside, you can fit five adults comfortably, and there are 60/40-split folding back seats, adding flexibility. You get 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with the seats down.

The Escape’s got a more sculpted look. It seats five, too, but wins in cargo space. There’s 37.8 cubic feet behind the seats and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Just remember that more cargo space means that you’re driving a bigger SUV.

When it comes to tech, the Trax starts with an 8-inch touch screen in the LS and 1RS models. Spring for the LT, 2RS, or ACTIV trims, and you’ll upgrade to an 11-inch screen. The Escape goes bigger with a 13.2-inch touch-screen system running SYNC 4 across all models. Both SUVs have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which make it easy to connect your phone wirelessly.

Safety Tech

The Chevrolet Trax includes Chevy Safety Assist standard. Even the base Trax has this full safety package, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, auto high beams, and following distance indicator. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 matches Chevy with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Either choice will give you great peace of mind on the road, especially if you’re the parent of a new driver.

Pricing

Here’s where the Escape and Trax really split: money. The Chevrolet Trax starts at just $20,500 — it’s among the most affordable and best valued vehicles available today. For first-time buyers or budget-conscious folks, this price point makes new-car ownership with warranty and modern tech possible. Here are the trim options and starting prices:

• LS: $20,500
• 1RS: $22,500
• LT: $22,700
• 2RS: $24,500
• ACTIV: $24,500

The Escape is pricier, starting at $29,150. Here are the Escape’s six trims and starting prices:

• Active: $29,150
• ST-Line: $29,995
• ST-Line Select: $32,830
• Platinum: $34,945
• ST-Line Elite: $35,940
• Plug-in Hybrid: $37,400

But there’s more to value than price. The Trax delivers safety tech and modern features even at the base level. Car and Driver even gave the 2025 Trax the top spot on its Best Subcompact SUVs list. The Escape costs more but brings bigger screens, stronger engines, available all-wheel drive on all models, and fuel-saving hybrids.

Shop the Chevrolet Trax at Jack Burford Chevrolet

Among the best Chevy SUVs is the Trax. If you’re looking for value, efficiency, and modern features in one package, it perfectly fits the bill. At Jack Burford Chevrolet in Richmond, Kentucky, we know these vehicles thoroughly and can help find your perfect match. Our team will guide you through options, deals, and budget-friendly auto financing. We’ve matched countless Kentucky families with their ideal rides. If you’re ready for the next step, visit our dealership for a test drive. Our no-pressure staff will show you why the Trax makes sense for value-seeking compact SUV buyers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

New Chevy Trax

Image courtesy of Chevrolet