Chevy Trax vs Nissan Kicks: 2026 Trax vs 2027 Kicks Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The 2026 Chevy Trax and 2027 Nissan Kicks are small SUVs that start $1,090 apart. The Trax costs less to start, has 4.2 inches more rear legroom and more torque. The Kicks offers AWD, a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every grade, more cargo room in front-drive form and more ground clearance. Here’s how they compare, using each maker’s published figures. For Trax trims and pricing, see our Chevy Trax guide.
Quick Verdict
Pick the 2026 Trax if you want the lower price and a roomier back seat. The Trax LS starts at $21,700, $1,090 below the Kicks S FWD at $22,790 before destination, or $870 with destination. Its 38.7 inches of rear legroom beat the Kicks’ 34.5. Pick the 2027 Kicks if you need AWD, which the Trax doesn’t offer, or want a 12.3-inch touchscreen, blind-spot warning and rear cross traffic alert standard. A front-drive Kicks also has more cargo space, 8.4 inches of ground clearance versus 7.3, and a 31 mpg EPA combined rating versus 30.
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How the 2026 Trax and 2027 Kicks Match Up
The 2026 Trax is the newest Trax on sale. Chevrolet has announced a redesigned 2027 Trax for spring 2027 without pricing, so this page uses the 2026 model. Nissan’s 2027 Kicks is on sale now, and Nissan discontinued the Kicks Play after the 2025 model year. The Trax is the longer vehicle: 178.6 inches versus 171.9.
The Trax uses a 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft, a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. The Kicks uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder with 141 hp and 140 lb-ft and a CVT. Nissan offers Intelligent AWD, which adds a Snow mode and a multilink rear suspension. Chevrolet says the Trax is not rated to tow; Nissan publishes no towing capacity for the Kicks.
The Trax LS starts $1,090 below the Kicks S FWD, or $870 with destination ($1,795 vs $1,575). The Kicks S includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, blind-spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. The Trax LS has an 8-inch screen, and its blind-zone and rear cross traffic alerts come in the $395 Driver Confidence Package. With that package, a Trax LS is $22,095, still $695 below the Kicks S FWD ($475 with destination). A Trax LT with the LT Convenience ($595) and Driver Confidence ($795) packages, with adaptive cruise, an 11-inch screen and heated front seats, is $24,590 before destination: $100 more than a Kicks SV FWD, or $320 more with destination.
2026 Trax vs 2027 Kicks Specs
| Spec | 2026 Chevy Trax | 2027 Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (FWD, excl. destination) | $21,700 (LS) | $22,790 (S) |
| Destination charge | $1,795 | $1,575 |
| Starting price with destination | $23,495 | $24,365 |
| All-wheel drive | Not offered (FWD only) | Available (SV AWD from $26,490) |
| Engine / transmission | 1.2L turbo 3-cyl / 6-speed automatic | 2.0L 4-cyl / CVT |
| Horsepower / torque | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | 141 hp / 140 lb-ft |
| EPA city/hwy/combined (FWD) | 28/32/30 mpg | 28/35/31 mpg |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 25.6 cu ft | 30.0 cu ft (S FWD); 29.2 (SV, SR FWD); 23.9 (AWD) |
| Max cargo | 54.1 cu ft | 60.0 cu ft (S FWD); 58.5 (SV, SR FWD); 50.1 (AWD) |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 34.5 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 8.4 in |
| Touchscreen | 8 in (LS, 1RS); 11 in (LT, 2RS, ACTIV) | 12.3 in, standard |
| Towing | Not rated to tow | Not published |
| NHTSA overall rating | Not rated (2026) | 4 stars (2027) |
| NHTSA frontal crash | 4 stars (2026) | 3 stars (2027) |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain / roadside) | 3 yr/36k; 5 yr/60k; 5 yr/60k | 3 yr/36k; 5 yr/60k; 3 yr/36k |
Sources: chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (2026 Trax), nissanusa.com and Nissan’s 2027 Kicks press kit, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. MSRPs exclude destination, tax, title, license and dealer fees; dealer sets final price. Kicks cargo varies by grade and drive. Kicks AWD pricing is from nissanusa.com, where the SV AWD is the lowest-priced AWD version. EPA figures are estimates. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
Starting price with destination
MSRP including destination ($1,795 Chevrolet, $1,575 Nissan). Lower is better.
Rear legroom
Cargo behind rear seat
AWD and the Kicks Rock Creek
Every Trax is front-wheel drive. Nissan offers Intelligent AWD on the Kicks, starting with the SV AWD at $26,490, and AWD adds a Snow drive mode. The new SV Rock Creek package (AWD only; an SV Rock Creek is $28,840) adds an Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control, a roof rack with cross bars and a spare tire. It doesn’t add ground clearance: every Kicks has 8.4 inches.
The Trax ACTIV is a styling trim with 18-inch black wheels, not off-road hardware. If AWD is on your list for winter trips up I-70, the Kicks offers it and the Trax does not; Chevrolet points AWD shoppers to the 2026 Trailblazer. AWD also cuts Kicks cargo space to 23.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, less than the Trax’s 25.6.
Reasons to Choose Each
Choose the 2026 Chevy Trax if you want
- A lower starting price: $21,700 vs $22,790 for the Kicks S FWD
- More rear legroom: 38.7 in vs 34.5 in
- More torque: 162 lb-ft vs 140 lb-ft
- A better NHTSA frontal crash rating: 4 stars (2026 Trax) vs 3 stars (2027 Kicks)
- Longer roadside assistance: 5 years/60,000 miles vs 3 years/36,000 miles
Choose the 2027 Nissan Kicks if you want
- AWD, from $26,490 for the SV AWD
- A 12.3-inch touchscreen on every grade
- Blind-spot warning and rear cross traffic alert standard
- More cargo space in front-drive models: up to 30.0 cu ft behind the rear seat
- More ground clearance: 8.4 in vs 7.3 in
Interior and Technology
Every Trax has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. LS and 1RS use an 8-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch driver display; LT, 2RS and ACTIV get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display. Every Kicks has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 7-inch driver display (12.3-inch on SR). The Kicks SV and SR add a wireless charging pad; on the Trax, wireless charging comes with the Sunroof Package on LT, 2RS and ACTIV.
Chevy Safety Assist is standard on every Trax: automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert and IntelliBeam. The Driver Confidence Package adds blind-zone and rear cross traffic alerts, plus adaptive cruise on LT, 2RS and ACTIV. Every Kicks has automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and Intelligent Cruise Control. The Kicks SR adds ProPILOT Assist, which Nissan describes as hands-on. Neither offers hands-free driving.
The Bottom Line
The Trax wins on price, back-seat space and torque, and it’s 6.7 inches longer. The Kicks wins on standard tech, front-drive cargo space, ground clearance and AWD availability. Check current Chevrolet offers, see what your current vehicle is worth with a trade-in appraisal, or browse 2026 Trax inventory.
Our honest pick: the Trax if you often carry adults in the back seat and want the lower price. The Kicks if you need AWD, or want more standard tech and front-drive cargo room for about $1,090 more to start.
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Chevy Trax vs Nissan Kicks FAQ
Is the Chevy Trax cheaper than the Nissan Kicks?
Yes, slightly. The 2026 Trax LS starts at $21,700 and the 2027 Kicks S FWD at $22,790, before destination. With destination ($1,795 and $1,575), it’s $23,495 vs $24,365, an $870 gap. See current Chevrolet offers.
Does the Kicks have more room than the Trax?
It depends where. The Trax has 4.2 inches more rear legroom (38.7 vs 34.5). A front-drive Kicks has more cargo space: 29.2 to 30.0 cu ft behind the rear seat vs 25.6 for the Trax. An AWD Kicks has 23.9.
Can I get AWD on the Trax?
No. The 2026 Trax is front-wheel drive only, and Chevrolet says the 2027 Trax will be FWD across all models. The Kicks offers AWD, starting with the SV AWD at $26,490.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Kicks FWD, by 1 mpg combined: EPA-estimated 28/35/31 vs 28/32/30 for the Trax. The Kicks AWD is rated 27/34/30.
How do their safety ratings compare?
NHTSA gives the 2027 Kicks a 4-star overall rating, with 3 stars in frontal crash. The 2026 Trax has no NHTSA overall rating; it earns 4 stars in frontal crash and 4 in rollover.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2026 Trax page and 2027 Trax preview, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 19, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. Driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle safely; read the owner’s manual for feature limitations. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles.