Trax vs Kicks
Put the Trax next to the Kicks and you have Chevrolet and Nissan going after exactly the same subcompact suv crowd. Taken area by area, the Kicks wins 4 of 5. That doesn’t make the Trax a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trax wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Kicks wins
- Space & Practicality Kicks wins
- Off-road & Towing Kicks wins
- Safety & Tech Kicks wins
- Price Trax wins
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Fuel Economy & Range2.7
- Space & Practicality7.5
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Fuel Economy & Range3.4
- Space & Practicality7.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Kicks has 17% more cargo space
It’s a lopsided result (30 cu ft for the Kicks, 25.6 cu ft for the Trax) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
-
The Trax has 22 lb-ft more torque
The spread here is large: 162 lb-ft on the Trax versus 140 lb-ft on the Kicks. Expect to notice it. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Trax has 4.20 in more rear legroom
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Trax makes its strongest case: 38.70 in against 34.50 in. If you rarely carry passengers in the back, this matters less; for families, it matters a lot.
-
The Kicks has 11% more maximum cargo space
The difference is minor (60 cu ft against 54.1 cu ft), but if you’re splitting hairs, the Kicks wins it. The Kicks can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
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The Kicks has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen
The Trax comes close with 11 in; the Kicks does slightly better with 12.3 in. The Kicks’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Design & Size
The Trax is the larger car of the two, while the Kicks is the more compact choice.
Dimensions
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 in | 171.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 104.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 2,987 lb |
Engine & Performance
Trax leads
Look at the engine & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Trax. Here the Trax offers 22 lb-ft more torque. The Trax’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing. For engine & performance, the Trax is the one to beat.
Torque
Trax: 162 lb-ft Kicks: 140 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Kicks leads
The Kicks squeezes out a win in the fuel economy & range section. The Kicks pulls ahead with better highway fuel economy. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point. In short, the Kicks is the better-equipped car for fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (highway)
Trax: 32 mpg Kicks: 35 mpg The Kicks uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Fuel tank
Trax: 13.2 gal Kicks: 11.9 gal A bigger fuel tank means fewer stops on long trips, though the real range also depends on fuel economy.
Space & Practicality
Kicks leads
No contest in space & practicality: the Kicks is the stronger of the two. The Kicks answers with 17% more cargo space. The Kicks’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. The Trax gives you 4.20 in more rear legroom. The takeaway: on space & practicality, the Kicks is the stronger car.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Trax: 25.6 cu ft Kicks: 30 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Rear legroom
Trax: 38.70 in Kicks: 34.50 in The Trax gives rear passengers more space to stretch out, and rear-facing child seats fit more easily.
Off-road & Towing
Kicks leads
This area is close, with the Kicks just ahead of the Trax. Point to the Kicks for available all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning. Net result: the Kicks leads this part of the comparison.
AWD / 4WD available
Trax: no Kicks: yes Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces.
Safety & Tech
Kicks leads
On safety & tech, the difference is modest, and it favors the Kicks. The Kicks delivers a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance. That makes the Kicks the natural choice for buyers focused on safety & tech.
Largest touchscreen
Trax: 11 in Kicks: 12.3 in Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 141 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 140 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 32 mpg | 35 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | 11.9 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 25.6 cu ft | 30 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 54.1 cu ft | 60 cu ft (winner) |
| Rear legroom | 38.70 in (winner) Most rear legroom | 34.50 in |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 8.40 in |
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 11 in | 12.3 in (winner) |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 in | 171.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 104.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 2,987 lb |
Price
| Spec | Trax | Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $20,500 (winner) Lowest price in class | $21,830 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Launch prices sit $1,330 apart, so budget is unlikely to be the deciding factor. What does the Kicks’s extra $1,330 actually get you? Mainly 17% more cargo space and 11% more maximum cargo space.
Launch prices (US) as of launch. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Trax if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (162 lb-ft vs 140 lb-ft of torque)
- you often carry adults or growing kids in the back (38.70 in vs 34.50 in)
- you’d put the $1,330 saving toward something else
Choose the Kicks if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (30 cu ft vs 25.6 cu ft)
- you move bulky items now and then (60 cu ft vs 54.1 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (12.3 in vs 11 in)
- you cover long highway distances (35 mpg vs 32 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Trax or the Kicks?
For most people, the Kicks is the stronger choice, unless your top priority is 22 lb-ft more torque.
Is the Trax bigger than the Kicks?
Size goes the other way: the Trax is larger (179.1 in), and the Kicks is the smaller option (171.9 × 70.9 × 64.2 in).
Which costs less, the Trax or the Kicks?
The Trax is the cheaper option, launching at $1,330 less than the Kicks (launch prices as of launch).
Executive Summary
The Trax against the Kicks: two brands, one class, and more nuance than the marketing suggests. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Kicks gives you 17% more cargo space. A second point goes to the Kicks for a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. Don’t write off the Trax entirely: it has 22 lb-ft more torque.
If your days lean on engine & performance, I’d pick the Trax; if they lean on fuel economy & range, the Kicks.
My pick: the Kicks, though the Trax makes sense if you’d trade the rest for 22 lb-ft more torque.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.