2020 Chevrolet Trax vs. 2020 Lexus UX Series

Both the Trax and the UX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 12 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

The Chevrolet Trax’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the UX Series’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Trax uses regular unleaded gasoline. The UX Series requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Trax has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Trax has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX Series’ standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Trax stops shorter than the UX Series:

The Trax has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Lexus UX Series.

The Trax is 9.4 inches shorter than the UX Series, making the Trax easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Trax has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX Series (92.8 vs. 90.4).

The Trax has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more rear headroom and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the UX Series.

The power windows standard on both the Trax and the UX Series have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Trax is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX Series prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Trax LT/Premier has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The UX Series doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Trax owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trax will cost $195 to $1705 less than the UX Series over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trax will be $5693 to $6647 less than for the Lexus UX Series.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Lexus UX Series by almost 9 to one during the 2019 model year.