Since their debut in 2008, the Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax have competed against each other in the crossover SUV market. The Soul has undergone five generations of redesign and fine-tuning, showing Kia’s continuous commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The Trax is only in its second generation but still evolving to match Chevy customer’s needs.
In their 2024 model year, the Chevrolet Trax and Kia Soul are excellent contenders for a new SUV purchase. They each offer unique exteriors, good fuel economy, and convenient features. In this head-to-head comparison, let’s see how the two SUVs stand against each other.
Infotainment and Audio Experience
You’ll find a standard 8-inch touch-screen display infotainment system on the 2024 Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax. Both SUVs offer Bluetooth connectivity for convenient hands-free calling. Access your favorite apps with standard smartphone compatibility through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If you prioritize your music-listening experience while you drive, you’ll appreciate the Kia Soul’s standard six-speaker sound system versus the Chevrolet Trax’s standard four speakers. Level up your audio experience in the Soul even further with an available 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. This upgraded system features a center speaker, subwoofer, amplifier, and sound-connected LED speaker lights that give the Soul a party-like atmosphere.
Interior Design
There is ample room inside each new SUV’s interior, providing an enjoyable riding experience for you and your passengers. During long drives, no one will feel cramped with comparable legroom dimensions across all trims. The 2024 Kia Soul provides 41.1 inches of legroom in the front and 38.8 inches in the rear. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offers 41.9 inches of legroom in the front row and 38.7 inches in the rear.
As for interior comfort, both SUVs offer cloth or synthetic upholstery, depending on the trim. However, if you enjoy customizing your new car’s interior to match your style, you’ll appreciate the 2024 Kia Soul’s available interior stylings. Choose from gray, black and white two-tone, or the stunning brown Umber seat trim for a luxurious feel. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax’s seat trims are still desirable, with available Jet Black seats with red, yellow, or blue accents.
Cargo Space
When shopping for a new SUV in McKinney, Texas, you want the best available cargo capacity to accommodate your busy lifestyle. Ample cargo space allows you to haul groceries, sporting equipment, travel essentials, or camping gear without compromising passenger seating. Both the 2024 Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax provide a five-person seating capacity, but the available cargo space differs significantly.
As a compact SUV, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax’s cargo volume is lacking, with only 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 with the rear seats folded down. While the Trax has slightly more space behind the rear seats than the Soul’s 24.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, the 2024 Kia SUV provides the best overall cargo volume. Fold the Kia Soul’s rear seats down for an impressive maximum cargo volume of 62.1 cubic feet.
Engine Performance and Fuel Efficiency
A quality engine with higher horsepower helps your SUV accelerate quickly, resulting in a fun and engaging driving experience. The 2024 Kia Soul offers one engine option across all trims: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 horsepower. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax has a smaller, 1.2-liter turbo engine that produces 137 horsepower across all trims. Front-wheel drive is standard on both SUVs.
The 2024 Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax offer comparable fuel economy specs across most trims. The Soul’s LX, S, and GT-Line trims reach an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. All Chevrolet Trax trims achieve an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Want the most fuel-efficient SUV? The 2024 Kia Soul EX is your best bet. This Kia SUV reaches an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
Exterior Appeal
Choose a new SUV with appealing exterior stylings that match your personality and style. Do you appreciate sophistication and conventional looks? The 2024 Chevrolet Trax will suit you with its sleek, monochromatic exterior, available in alluring colors such as Cacti Green or Mosaic Black Metallic. If you prefer a bolder look, the 2024 Kia Soul’s boxy shape and duo-tone colors are perfect. Go for the classic Clear White and Fusion Black color combo, or turn heads with the bright Surf Blue against Fusion Black.
Affordability
Shopping for a new SUV can be challenging when you’re on a budget. Fortunately, the 2024 Kia Soul’s sticker price is low, making it an excellent choice for an affordable SUV. The base Kia Soul LX is available with a starting MSRP of $20,190. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax base LX trim costs a bit more, with a starting MSRP of $21,495. Even if you want the deluxe version of a new SUV, the 2024 Kia Soul EX has a starting MSRP of $24,490. The top-of-the-line Trax ACTIV goes for $25,395 starting MSRP.
Safety Suites
Wherever you travel through the McKinney, Texas, area, you should ensure you have the SUV with the best available safety suite to protect you and your passengers. Fortunately, the 2024 Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax offer excellent safety and driver-assistance features, including lane-keep assist and forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking. Stay safe on the highway with available adaptive cruise control, which monitors the speed and distance of the vehicle in front of you. If you struggle with parking, both SUVs offer rear parking assistance with innovative back-up cameras.
The 2024 Kia Soul or Chevrolet Trax: Which Is Better?
Despite their similarities, the 2024 Kia Soul dominates the Chevrolet Trax, with better available fuel economy, cargo capacity, and base trim price tag. Need help deciding? Come to Huffines Kia McKinney to see the 2024 Kia Soul in person. Our expert sales team will show you the Soul’s exciting features and get you behind the wheel for a test drive. Call us at 469-525-4400 to schedule your next visit. Ask about our financing options, available discounts, and trade-in offers to save money on your next vehicle purchase.