Chevy Trax vs. Nissan Kicks: Which Small SUV Is the Better Buy?
The Chevrolet Trax starts about $1,100 below the Nissan Kicks and gives you more torque, a conventional six-speed automatic and about four more inches of rear legroom. The Kicks answers with available all-wheel drive, more cargo room in its front-drive version, and blind-spot warning as standard. If you never need all-wheel drive, the Trax is the more car for less money. If you do, the Kicks is the one to look at.
We sell the Trax at Jim Taylor Chevrolet in Rayville, so we are not neutral. That is why every number on this page comes from Chevrolet, Nissan or the EPA, and why we spell out where the Kicks wins. You should be able to make this decision without walking onto either lot.
This compares the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, which is what we have in stock now, with the 2027 Nissan Kicks, the newest Kicks Nissan has announced.
Trax vs. Kicks at a glance
| Spec | 2026 Chevrolet Trax | 2027 Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $21,700 (LS) | $22,790 (S FWD) |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder | 2.0L 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower / torque | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | 141 hp / 140 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive only | FWD or Intelligent AWD |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy) | 28 / 32 | 28 / 35 FWD, 27 / 34 AWD* |
| Cargo, seats up / folded | 25.6 / 54.1 cu ft | 30.0 / 60.0 cu ft FWD, 23.9 / 50.1 AWD |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 34.5 in |
| Length | 178.6 in | 171.9 in |
| Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts | Available by package | Standard |
Prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices excluding destination, tax, title, license and options; dealer prices vary. *Kicks fuel economy is the EPA estimate Nissan published for the 2026 model. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Where the Chevy Trax comes out ahead
Price. The Trax LS starts at $21,700, which is $1,090 below the Kicks S. The gap holds as you move up: the Trax LT and 1RS start at $23,200, against $24,490 for the Kicks SV.
Rear-seat room. The Trax gives back-seat passengers 38.7 inches of legroom, about four inches more than the Kicks. In a small SUV that is the difference between adults riding comfortably and adults riding with their knees in the seatback.
Torque and transmission. The Trax’s turbocharged engine makes 162 lb-ft of torque against the Kicks’ 140, and it uses a geared six-speed automatic rather than a continuously variable transmission. Whether you prefer one feel over the other is something a test drive settles in about ten minutes.
A longer body for the money. At 178.6 inches, the Trax is almost seven inches longer than the Kicks, which shows up in the back seat and in how planted it feels on the highway.
Where the Nissan Kicks comes out ahead
All-wheel drive. Every Trax is front-wheel drive. Every Kicks trim can be ordered with all-wheel drive, and the new Kicks Rock Creek comes with it standard. If you regularly drive gravel roads, field edges or a muddy lane to a hunting camp, that matters. It is also why we point those shoppers to the Chevy Trailblazer, which offers all-wheel drive.
Cargo space, in the front-drive Kicks. A front-drive Kicks holds 30.0 cubic feet behind the rear seat against the Trax’s 25.6, and 60.0 with the seats folded against 54.1. Choose an all-wheel-drive Kicks and the numbers drop to 23.9 and 50.1, which is less than the Trax.
Standard safety equipment. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Kicks and includes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. On the Trax those come in an available package. Every Trax does include Chevy Safety Assist, with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator and IntelliBeam auto high beams.
Highway mileage. Nissan’s EPA estimate for the front-drive Kicks is 35 mpg highway against 32 for the Trax. Around town they are tied at 28.
Which trims line up against each other?
| Chevrolet Trax | Starting MSRP | Closest Nissan Kicks | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | $21,700 | S FWD | $22,790 |
| LT / 1RS | $23,200 | SV FWD | $24,490 |
| 2RS / ACTIV | $25,700 | SR FWD | $26,990 |
The Trax ACTIV and the Kicks Rock Creek are both pitched as the rugged-looking version. The difference is that the Rock Creek adds all-wheel drive and starts at $28,840, while the ACTIV keeps front-wheel drive and starts at $25,700. If you want the look and do not need the traction, the ACTIV saves you about $3,100.
Technology and comfort
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both. The Trax LT, 2RS and ACTIV get an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch driver display; the LS and 1RS use a smaller screen. Every 2027 Kicks has a 12.3-inch touchscreen. On the Trax, a sunroof, wireless charging, heated seats and a heated steering wheel are available through packages, so if one of those is a must-have, ask us to show you Traxes that have it.
Who should buy which?
The Nissan Kicks is probably the better fit if you need all-wheel drive, you fill the cargo area every week and would choose the front-drive version, or you want blind-spot monitoring without adding a package.
The Chevy Trax is probably the better fit if you want the lowest price, you carry adults or teenagers in the back seat, or you prefer a turbo engine and a geared automatic.
Shopping with a trade or a tighter budget
Trading in a vehicle generally means you pay Louisiana sales tax only on the difference between the two, which we explain in trade-in vs. cash offer. If your credit is not perfect, read buying a vehicle with fair credit before you shop, then apply for financing online to see where you stand.
Test-drive the Trax at Jim Taylor Chevrolet
Jim Taylor Chevrolet is at 139 Grimshaw St in Rayville. Drive a Trax with us, drive a Kicks, and buy whichever one fits your life.
See Chevrolet Trax inventory at Jim Taylor Chevrolet · 2026 Chevrolet Trax overview · Value your trade
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chevy Trax cheaper than the Nissan Kicks?
Yes. The 2026 Trax LS starts at $21,700 MSRP and the 2027 Kicks S starts at $22,790, before destination. The Trax stays roughly $1,100 to $1,300 lower at comparable trims.
Does the Chevy Trax come with all-wheel drive?
No. Every Trax, including the ACTIV, is front-wheel drive. The Nissan Kicks offers all-wheel drive on every trim, and in Chevrolet’s lineup the Trailblazer offers all-wheel drive.
Which has more room, the Trax or the Kicks?
The Trax has more rear legroom, 38.7 inches against 34.5. A front-drive Kicks has more cargo space, 30.0 cubic feet behind the rear seat against 25.6, but an all-wheel-drive Kicks has less, at 23.9.
Which gets better gas mileage, the Trax or the Kicks?
They tie at 28 mpg city. On the highway the front-drive Kicks is rated at 35 mpg against 32 for the Trax, based on EPA estimates.
Does the Chevy Trax have a CVT?
No. The Trax uses a six-speed automatic transmission. The Nissan Kicks uses a continuously variable transmission.
Where can I test-drive a Chevy Trax near Rayville, LA?
Jim Taylor Chevrolet at 139 Grimshaw St in Rayville sells and services the Chevrolet Trax. You can browse current Trax inventory online and schedule a test drive with the dealership.
Written by Sarah Pesek, Director of Sales and Marketing at Jim Taylor Auto Group. Sarah oversees marketing across Jim Taylor Chevrolet in Rayville, Jim Taylor Buick GMC in Monroe and Jim Taylor Ford in Ruston, and chairs the NADA INT1 20 Group for dealership marketing leaders.
Sources
- Chevrolet: 2026 Trax pricing, safety and features
- J.D. Power: 2026 Chevrolet Trax review (dimensions and equipment)
- Nissan: 2027 Kicks press kit (August 13, 2026)
- Nissan: 2026 Kicks EPA estimates
- EPA fuel economy ratings at FuelEconomy.gov
Specifications and prices reflect manufacturer information published as of October 2026 and can change. Confirm equipment on any specific vehicle before you buy.