2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$28,600 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox bursts onto the scene with 175 horsepower, offering a noticeably more potent drive than the nimble 2026 Nissan Kicks, which delivers a modest 141 horsepower. While the Equinox commands a higher starting MSRP of $28,600, it brings substantial presence in its 183.2-inch length. The Kicks counters with pure efficiency, achieving an impressive 35 MPG highway compared to the Equinox's 28 MPG highway, an advantage that compounds over time. Though the Kicks offers slightly more cargo volume at 30 cu ft versus the Chevy's 29.8 cu ft, the Equinox's torque advantage (184 lb-ft vs. 140 lb-ft) suggests better acceleration when fully loaded. This comparison pits power and size (Equinox) against exceptional frugality and a $6,170 lower entry price (Kicks), making the ultimate choice dependent on budget versus driving enthusiasm.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Kicks

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the superior choice for daily commuting due to its significantly better combined fuel economy of 31 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is better suited for families due to its larger overall dimensions and greater horsepower for merging onto highways.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

With 175 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Equinox provides a genuinely more engaging and responsive driving dynamic than the Kicks' 141 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Nissan Kicks

The 2026 Nissan Kicks saves buyers $6,170 upfront and still nets better long-term running costs through superior mileage.

Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...

You prioritize on-road responsiveness, benefiting from the Equinox's 34 additional horsepower.
You frequently travel with more passengers and require a vehicle that is 11.3 inches longer for a commanding presence.
You prefer utilizing regular unleaded fuel with slightly more mid-range grunt provided by 184 lb-ft of torque.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Fuel economy is paramount, highlighted by the Kicks’ excellent 35 MPG highway rating.
Budget is a primary concern, as the Kicks undercuts the Equinox’s MSRP by $6,170.
You need slightly more usable storage space, as the Kicks offers 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Equinox	Nissan Kicks
Length	183.2"	171.9"
Width	74.9"	70.9"
Height	65.6"	64.2"
Wheelbase	107.5"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	175 hp @ 5600 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/28 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.8/414.4 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	✓	—
Cruise Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Infotainment Display	11.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	54.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.2 in.	52.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Rear Head Room	39.2 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.9 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.8 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.7 in.	50.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Size	—	16 x 6.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent

Warranty

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

How significant is the difference in power delivery between the 2025 Equinox and the 2026 Kicks?

The Equinox holds a decisive advantage with 175 horsepower compared to the Kicks' 141 horsepower, meaning the Chevy will feel noticeably quicker, especially during passing maneuvers on the highway.

Is the fuel economy gap between these two crossovers worth considering?

Absolutely; the 2026 Kicks achieves 31 MPG combined, surpassing the 2025 Equinox's 27 MPG combined by 4 MPG, which translates to substantial savings across a year of driving.

Which vehicle offers a better entry price point?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks starts at $22,430, making it a significantly more accessible purchase than the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, which starts at $28,600.

Do these vehicles offer different drivetrain options, given they are both FWD?

Based on the provided data, both the 2025 Equinox and the 2026 Kicks are listed with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and utilize continuously variable-speed automatic transmissions.

How do their physical sizes compare for city parking?

The Kicks is the smaller, more maneuverable option, being 11.3 inches shorter in length (171.9 inches) and 4 inches narrower than the larger Chevrolet Equinox.