2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$21,600 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the 2026 Nissan Kicks often comes down to balancing budget against usable space. Buyers frequently agonize over saving a little money versus gaining crucial cargo room for weekend trips or hauling necessities. The Trax starts at a lower MSRP of $21,600 compared to the Kicks at $22,430, offering a $830 initial saving. However, the Kicks provides a significant advantage in utility, boasting 30 cubic feet of cargo space, which dwarfs the Trax's 25.6 cu ft. While the Kicks has slightly more horsepower at 141 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp, the Trax wins on torque with 162 lb-ft compared to the Kicks’ 140 lb-ft. Both vehicles offer excellent fuel economy, with the Kicks slightly leading at 31 MPG combined versus the Trax’s 30 MPG combined, suggesting minor differences in running costs for the average driver.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks edges out the Trax slightly on fuel economy with a 31 MPG combined rating versus 30 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks offers superior practicality with 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax provides more pulling power for acceleration thanks to its higher 162 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax secures the value win by having a lower starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $21,600.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You prioritize the lowest entry cost, as the Trax has an MSRP of $21,600.
You prefer stronger mid-range acceleration evidenced by the Trax’s 162 lb-ft of torque.
You appreciate a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission feel over a CVT.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Maximum cargo hauling is essential, given the Kicks’ generous 30 cu ft capacity.
You want the absolute best highway fuel range, achieving 35 MPG highway.
You prefer a slightly taller ride height, as the Kicks stands 64.2 inches tall versus 61.4 inches.

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-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	✓	✓
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 Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	1.2 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	flex-fuel (FFV)	gas
Horsepower	137 hp @ 5000 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	12	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	6-speed shiftable 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)	28/32 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	369.6/422.4 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	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
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

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 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

Which vehicle is better for hauling groceries or luggage on a daily basis?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the clear winner here, offering 30 cubic feet of cargo space. This is substantially more than the 25.6 cubic feet provided by the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, making errands and packing easier.

How do the power figures compare between the Trax and the Kicks?

The Kicks produces marginally more horsepower at 141 hp compared to the Trax's 137 hp. However, the Trax compensates with significantly more low-end grunt, delivering 162 lb-ft of torque versus the Kicks' 140 lb-ft.

Is there a significant fuel economy difference between these two FWD crossovers?

The difference is minimal for overall driving, with the Kicks averaging 31 MPG combined and the Trax at 30 MPG combined. The Kicks does excel on the highway, rating 35 MPG versus the Trax’s 32 MPG highway rating.

Are these vehicles expensive to run regarding fuel type?

Fortunately, both the 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the 2026 Nissan Kicks use regular unleaded fuel, keeping initial fill-up costs low for budget-conscious owners.

What transmission differences should a commuter consider?

The Trax uses a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic, while the Kicks utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT). Some drivers prefer the predictable feel of the 6-speed during stop-and-go city driving.

If my budget is very tight, which model should I look at first?

You should start with the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, as it has the lower Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $21,600. This undercuts the Kicks’ $22,430 starting price by over $800.