2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 Chevrolet Trax

$21,830 · Crossover

$21,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle between the nimble 2025 Nissan Kicks and the newly re-engineered 2026 Chevrolet Trax pits efficiency against low-end grunt. The Kicks thrills with its slightly superior highway cruising ability, boasting 35 MPG highway from its 141 hp engine, making its 171.9-inch frame a long-distance champion for its class. Conversely, the longer 2026 Trax, priced aggressively at $21,600—just shy of the Kicks' $21,830 MSRP—brings more pulling power with 162 lb-ft of torque, despite having only 137 hp. While the Kicks offers more vertical storage with 30 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft, the Trax aims to deliver a punchier initial response thanks to its torque advantage and traditional 6-speed transmission versus the Kicks' CVT.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks wins for commuters due to its slightly better maximum combined fuel economy rating of 31 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks provides more functional space, offering 30 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offers a more engaging feel with higher torque (162 lb-ft) and a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is the slightly better value proposition, starting at a lower MSRP of $21,600 compared to the Kicks at $21,830.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

You prioritize maximum fuel efficiency, as the Kicks achieves 35 MPG on the highway.
You need the best utility, leveraging the Kicks' superior 30 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer the compact footprint of the 171.9-inch long Kicks for tight city maneuvering.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You want immediate acceleration response from its superior 162 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer a traditional shifting mechanism over a continuously variable transmission.
You are seeking the lowest entry price point at $21,600 MSRP.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks	Chevrolet Trax
Length	171.9"	178.6"
Width	70.9"	71.8"
Height	64.2"	61.4"
Wheelbase	104.6"	106.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.2 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 3
Base Engine Type	gas	flex-fuel (FFV)
Horsepower	141 hp @ 6000 rpm	137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/35 MPG	28/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	333.2/416.5 mi.	369.6/422.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.9 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
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	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.7 in.	41.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	52.4 in.	52.1 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

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.5 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	54.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.1 in.	45.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	Full
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	225/60R17
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Steel
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Chevrolet
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Which crossover has better power for passing maneuvers?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax technically holds the advantage in low-end punch with 162 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Kicks' 140 lb-ft, even though the Kicks has slightly higher peak horsepower (141 hp vs 137 hp).

How do the dimensions affect interior space between the two?

Despite the 2026 Trax being 6.7 inches longer overall, the 2025 Kicks wins on sheer cargo volume, offering 30 cu ft versus the Trax's 25.6 cu ft, suggesting the Kicks utilizes its length more vertically.

Which car is more fuel-efficient for long highway drives?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is the highway efficiency king here, achieving 35 MPG on the highway versus the Trax’s 32 MPG highway rating.

Does the difference in MSRP matter for budget buyers?

Yes, the 2026 Chevrolet Trax undercuts the 2025 Nissan Kicks by $230 at the base level ($21,600 vs $21,830), making the Trax slightly cheaper upfront.

What is the primary difference in their driving feel regarding the transmission?

Enthusiasts might prefer the Trax's 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for a more direct feel, whereas the Kicks uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), optimized primarily for smoother efficiency.