Trax vs Kicks Play
The Trax and the Kicks Play compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Chevrolet and Nissan each making its case. Neither wins across the board. The Trax makes its case with engine & performance; the Kicks Play makes its case with fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trax wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Kicks Play wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Trax wins
- Price Trax wins
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Fuel Economy & Range2.7
- Engine & Performance0.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.3
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 Trax has 48 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The Trax lists 162 lb-ft and the Kicks Play lists 114 lb-ft. That’s a substantial gap. 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 15 hp more power
You may not notice this one every day, but the Trax’s 137 hp is a step ahead of the Kicks Play’s 122 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The Kicks Play has better fuel economy
Slight advantage to the Kicks Play: 33 mpg compared with 30 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The Trax has a bigger 11 in touchscreen
Among all the differences on this page, 11 in against 7 in is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Trax. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
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The Kicks Play has better highway fuel economy
On fuel economy (highway), the Kicks Play edges out the Trax, 36 mpg to 32 mpg. The Kicks Play uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Trax leads
The engine & performance comparison is one-sided. The Trax leads where it counts. The Trax gives you 48 lb-ft more torque. The Trax’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the Trax.
Torque
Trax: 162 lb-ft Kicks Play: 114 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Total system output
Trax: 137 hp Kicks Play: 122 hp The Trax’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Kicks Play leads
If fuel economy & range is high on your list, the Kicks Play makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Kicks Play wins here with better fuel economy. The Kicks Play uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. That makes the Kicks Play the natural choice for buyers focused on fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Trax: 30 mpg Kicks Play: 33 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
Trax: 32 mpg Kicks Play: 36 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Neither the Trax nor the Kicks Play has a real advantage in the space & practicality category. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if off-road & towing was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. The off-road & towing verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Safety & Tech
Trax leads
On safety & tech, the difference is modest, and it favors the Trax. The Trax scores with a bigger 11 in touchscreen. The Trax’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. For anyone who cares most about safety & tech, the Trax is the safer choice.
Largest touchscreen
Trax: 11 in Kicks Play: 7 in A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 1.6L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp (winner) | 122 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 114 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 33 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 32 mpg | 36 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 25.6 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 54.1 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear legroom | 38.70 in Most rear legroom | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 11 in (winner) | 7 in Smallest touchscreen |
| 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 Play |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Trax | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $20,500 (winner) Lowest price in class | $21,520 |
“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
The launch price difference is small: $1,020, favoring the Trax. The $1,020 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
Based on US launch pricing as of launch. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Trax if…
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (162 lb-ft vs 114 lb-ft of torque)
- you want more power (137 hp vs 122 hp)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (11 in vs 7 in)
- you’d rather keep $1,020 in your pocket
Choose the Kicks Play if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (33 mpg vs 30 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (36 mpg vs 32 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (31 mpg vs 28 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Trax or the Kicks Play?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Trax if engine & performance matters most, or the Kicks Play if fuel economy & range does.
Which costs less, the Trax or the Kicks Play?
At launch, the Trax undercut the Kicks Play by $1,020. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the Trax and the Kicks Play. I think the Trax makes its strongest case with 48 lb-ft more torque. Another thing in the Trax’s favor is a bigger 11 in touchscreen. Still, if you care most about better fuel economy, the Kicks Play deserves a look.
Match the strength to your habits (engine & performance for the Trax, fuel economy & range for the Kicks Play), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: both are fair choices, with the Trax leaning toward engine & performance and the Kicks Play toward fuel economy & range.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.