Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Chevrolet Trax, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $350 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Hyundai Santa Fe leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Chevrolet Trax
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 23 configurations
2015–2027
Hyundai Santa Fe
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 90 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Chevrolet Trax | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 28 mpg | 37 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 34 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,050 | $1,700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 296 g/mi | 111 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; FFV, 1.4 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV |
| Transmissions | Automatic 6-spd, Automatic (S6) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S8) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 23 | 90 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Trax vs Santa Fe: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Chevrolet Trax or the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Chevrolet Trax, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $350 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Hyundai Santa Fe runs about $1,700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,050 for the Chevrolet Trax — a difference of roughly $350 per year.
What engines do the Trax and Santa Fe offer?
Chevrolet Trax: SIDI, SIDI; FFV, 1.4. Hyundai Santa Fe: SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Chevrolet Trax and the Hyundai Santa Fe as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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