If you need a vehicle that's economical in size but big on capability, drivers like you in the Mount Pocono, Scranton, and Blakeslee areas have plenty of great options to choose from in the growing subcompact SUV segment. Three top models currently are the Ford EcoSport, Jeep Renegade, and Chevy Trax.
The team at Ray Price Ford wanted to know which is better suited to drivers around Tobyhanna and Pocono Pines, so we compared the 2018 Ford EcoSport vs. Jeep Renegade vs. Chevy Trax to find out.
Read our 2018 Ford EcoSport review to learn more!
EcoSport vs Renegade vs Trax: Cargo Space
One question we often get about subcompact SUVs is whether they have the kind of cargo to accommodate a weekend of skiing, biking, or kayaking. The answer is yes.
In fact, all three SUVs offer approximately 50 cubic feet of cargo space for all your gear, whether you're going camping or snowboarding. The Chevy Trax has a bit less than the Ford EcoSport and Jeep Renegade, however, coming in at 48.4 cubic feet.
Still, if you need more space, you can make use of the roof racks, which are available in all three cars. These allow you to store larger items, like mountain bikes on top, while keeping your backpacks and sleeping bags inside. The Ford EcoSport and Jeep Renegade make the cargo area customizable, too, with an available adjustable cargo floor.
With this feature, you can lower the cargo area floor to fit taller items. Alternatively, you can lift the load floor up to store smaller or fragile items, such as eggs after a trip to the grocery store. You can then store heavier items, like milk and flour, safely on top.
We found that the cargo area in the Ford EcoSport was the most accessible due to its 5-door configuration. This features a swing-gate hinge that opens out like a door instead of opening up like a hatch. It makes the cargo area easier to load and is simple to close without having to reach up and pull down a hatch.
Infotainment Systems in the EcoSport, Renegade, and Trax
Once your cargo area is loaded up and ready to go for your next big outing, you'll probably want a solid infotainment system to help keep you informed, on course, and entertained when you hit the road. That's something you'll find in all three of these SUVs.
The Ford EcoSport, Jeep Renegade, and Chevy Trax all feature high-tech infotainment systems that can fully integrate your smartphone thanks to available Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ capabilities. With these features, you can access your favorite social media apps, make and take hands-free phone calls, and even follow door-to-door navigation from your smartphone's navigation app.
All this information is easy to view on a color touchscreen that's available in all three vehicles. They all vary in sizes, but in looking at the largest screen available, we found that both the Ford EcoSport and Jeep Renegade both offer a touchscreen that's approximately eight inches in size from corner to corner. The largest available touchscreen in the Chevy Trax only measures in at seven inches.
The Ford EcoSport also differentiates itself from the pack by giving its touchscreen a floating design, so it appears to sit above the center dashboard. This is a very modern design that the Renegade and Trax don't offer by keeping their touchscreens embedded into the infotainment console.
Ford EcoSport vs Jeep Renegade vs Chevy Trax: Our Winner Is…
After comparing the Ford EcoSport vs. Jeep Renegade vs. Chevy Trax, the team at Ray Price Ford found that the EcoSport has some additional features that can add an extra level of convenience to your adventures around Mount Pocono and Tobyhanna.
If you want to learn more about what this SUV can bring to your drives through Scranton, Pocono Pines, and Blakeslee, pay us a visit and we'll help you get behind the wheel.