Choosing between the 2026 Chevy Trax and the 2026 Hyundai Kona comes down to what your week actually looks like. Maybe that's commuting through Plano, running the school pickup loop, or dealing with Sam Rayburn Tollway traffic most days. Both compact SUVs hold their own, but they get there differently.
The Trax bets on affordability and feature accessibility, while the Kona leans into styling and a larger standard touchscreen. Line them up side by side, though, and the value gap for North Texas drivers becomes pretty obvious. If you'd rather skip ahead, you can browse our 2026 Chevy Trax inventory at Huffines Chevrolet Plano right now.
2026 Chevy Trax: Bold Styling, Roomy Interior, and Everyday Value
The 2026 Chevy Trax barely resembles the earlier generation. Chevrolet redesigned it top to bottom, and it's now a real contender in the compact crossover class rather than just a starter option. The lineup runs LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV, all sharing the turbocharged ECOTEC® 1.2L 3-cylinder engine (137 hp, 162 lb-ft torque) paired with a 6-speed automatic. That turbo three delivers its torque early, so it feels responsive around town, and EPA estimates put combined fuel economy at a consistent 30 MPG across the board.
Design and Trim Lineup
The exterior is more angular than you'd expect at this price point, with styling that pulls from Chevy's larger SUVs. The 1RS brings sportier styling with 18-inch wheels and red accents, while the ACTIV adds titanium chrome accents, blackout wheels, and Yellow interior touches. The LT trim steps up with an 11-inch touchscreen, remote start, and an available Midnight Edition package.
Spacious Rear Legroom and Cabin Comfort
Rear passenger space is one of the Trax's real strengths, with 38.7 inches of rear legroom and up to 54.1 cu ft of max cargo space thanks to 60/40 folding rear seats. For a compact SUV, it fits adults in the back seat comfortably, which matters for weekend trips to Lake Lewisville or longer drives out of DFW.
Feature Accessibility Across Trims
Chevrolet packages features generously across the Trax lineup, and that's what really sets it apart. Every trim comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Forward Collision Alert, and Front Pedestrian Braking. The 11-inch HD touchscreen becomes available starting at LT. You're not giving up connectivity or core safety tech just because you skipped the top trim, which is rare in this segment and worth weighing heavily when comparing options.
2026 Hyundai Kona: What It Brings to the Table
The Kona has earned its following honestly, and Hyundai has refined it into a compact SUV that appeals to buyers who prioritize design and standard tech. Trims run from SE through SEL Sport and SEL Premium up to Limited, and every trim comes with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard wireless connectivity, larger and more consistent across the lineup than what the Trax offers at its base trims.
Kona Styling and Interior
The Kona has a distinctive, modern look with vibrant color options and detailing that stands out in a parking lot. Inside, the infotainment system is easy to use and the cabin feels refined, particularly on upper trims. Where the Kona pulls ahead is cargo room: it offers up to 63.7 cu ft of max cargo space, notably more than the Trax. Rear legroom, at 38.2 inches, lands close to the Trax but slightly behind it.
Price Comparison: Why the Trax Delivers More for Less
Price is where things get interesting for North Texas shoppers. A recent grad starting a first job in Frisco and a family in McKinney shopping for a practical second car are looking at very different budgets, but the Trax works for both. The 2026 Chevy Trax starts at an MSRP of $21,700, with the LT trim at $23,200. The 2026 Hyundai Kona starts at an MSRP of $25,500, roughly $3,800 higher than the Trax LS.
That gap tends to grow once you look at what's standard at each entry point. The Trax gives you more at its base price before you've even considered upgrading, and the pattern holds at mid-tier trims like LT, 2RS, and ACTIV, where Chevrolet includes features the Kona reserves for higher trims.
If you're working with a set budget, that difference means either real savings or a higher-spec Trax for the same money as a base Kona. You can see current offers among our current Chevrolet new vehicle specials at Huffines Chevrolet Plano.
Cost of Ownership for DFW Drivers
The math goes beyond the sticker price. Commutes across Plano, Collin County, and the wider DFW metroplex, especially along the Sam Rayburn Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike, can easily run 30 to 50 miles each way. Fuel efficiency and maintenance costs add up fast over a five-year ownership window when you're driving that much.
The Trax delivers a consistent 30 MPG combined across every trim, so you get the same efficiency whether you choose the LS or the ACTIV. The Kona's numbers move around more by trim and drivetrain: the front-wheel-drive SE and SEL Sport land at 31 MPG combined, while the turbocharged SEL Premium and Limited come in at 28, and choosing all-wheel drive brings those figures down to the 26 to 28 range. Overall the two are close on fuel, with the Trax offering the more predictable number and a slight edge once you factor in the Kona's thirstier turbo and AWD configurations.
The Kona offers available all-wheel drive, while the Trax focuses its engineering on front-wheel drive, which keeps things simple and helps hold down both the entry price and long-term maintenance. For the dry, flat commuting that defines most North Texas driving, front-wheel drive handles the job comfortably, and the Trax's efficiency, lower entry price, and broad feature availability at lower trims give it the edge on total cost of ownership.
Huffines Chevrolet Plano's service center runs on GM-certified technicians and genuine OEM parts to help protect long-term reliability and resale value.
Space, Comfort, and Technology: Trax vs Kona Side-by-Side
| Feature | 2026 Chevy Trax | 2026 Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $21,700 | $25,500 |
| Rear Legroom | 38.7 in | 38.2 in |
| Max Cargo Capacity | 54.1 cu ft | 63.7 cu ft |
| Standard Touchscreen | 8-inch | 12.3-inch |
| Available Touchscreen | 11-inch HD (LT, 2RS, ACTIV) | 12.3-inch (standard, all trims) |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 26 to 31 MPG (varies by trim and drivetrain) |
| Trim Levels | LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, ACTIV | SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, Limited |
| Wireless Connectivity | Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ (standard, all trims) | Standard, all trims |
The Kona wins on max cargo room and offers a larger touchscreen from its base trim. The Trax counters with comparable rear legroom, a lower starting MSRP, and an 11-inch HD touchscreen available well below the Kona's top trims. For buyers prioritizing value and feature accessibility over outright cargo space or screen size, the Trax comes out ahead.
Why North Texas Drivers Are Choosing the Chevy Trax
A typical day for a North Texas driver might involve merging onto the Tollway, running errands around town, or heading out to a state park on the weekend. The Trax fits that life without friction. It's sized right for tight parking decks, comfortable enough for longer drives, and practical for daily hauling.
Buyers respond to the combination of a lower entry price and features that don't require upgrading to a top trim just to get modern tech and safety equipment. For anyone who's done their homework on 2026 Chevy Trax vs Hyundai Kona value, that accessibility tends to be the deciding factor.
Visit Huffines Chevrolet Plano: Browse Trax Inventory or Book a Test Drive
Reading about a vehicle only tells you so much. The Trax makes more sense once you've sat in the back seat and felt how it handles on an actual road.
See the Trax in Person
Huffines Chevrolet Plano, located at 1001 Coit Rd in Plano, TX, keeps new Trax inventory on hand across trim levels, so comparing the LS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV in person is easy. The dealership belongs to the family-owned Huffines Motor Company, which has served North Texas since 1924, and has been recognized with the Chevrolet Mark of Excellence. That history shows up in a low-pressure sales approach and flexible financing and lease options designed to fit your budget.
Take the Next Step
You can browse our 2026 Chevy Trax inventory, get pre-approved for financing, or book a test drive online. Sales hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8 PM, and Saturday, 8:30 AM to 7 PM, and you can reach the team directly at (888) 705-5980.
If you're trying to settle the 2026 Chevy Trax vs Hyundai Kona debate for yourself, a real-world test drive at Huffines Chevrolet Plano is the best place to start.