2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks was designed with young consumers and first-time car buyers in mind, drawing inspiration from sneaker culture to create a vehicle that exuded comfort, agility, and style. The Kicks featured a tougher appearance than most small crossovers, without crossing into sporty territory. Built on the new CMF-B platform, it was slightly larger and had more ground clearance, distinguishing it from its peers. The Kicks offered nine color options, with the base trim limited to five, while the mid and top trims boasted two-tone configurations. Notably, 30% of Kicks were expected to be sold with a contrast roof, adding a unique flair to its design. Small details, like the Kicks logo on side-mirror supports and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim, contributed to its distinctive look, enhancing its premium feel despite its affordability.

Inside, the Kicks showcased a variety of textures, with some cost-saving measures evident in the headliner and plastic surfaces. However, these were generally unobtrusive. The carbon-fiber-look panel on the dash was a highlight, offering a soft touch instead of hard plastic. The Kicks featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort and support with standard cloth or optional synthetic leather upholstery. Heated front seats were available on higher trims, though all seats were manually adjustable. The Kicks came standard with LED exterior lighting and 16-inch steel wheels, with options for 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax, on the other hand, emerged as a more car-like crossover, appealing to those who missed the Cruze or Sonic. It packed personality into its small frame, with Blazer-like headlights, a wide grille, and a tall front end. The Trax's design included chunky wheel arches and a sleek profile, giving it a unique stance among small crossovers. The lineup featured LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ trims, each with distinct wheel and design elements. Inside, the Trax's rubbery surfaces marked it as entry-level, but its design details were a cut above. The interior boasted large air vents and contrasting trim, with a layout reminiscent of a Corvette. The Trax offered competitive interior space, with notable rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity. Its tall seating position provided good road visibility, while large door pockets and cup holders catered to storage needs.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of noise and harshness with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous generation's 1.6-liter engine. The Kicks now offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, enhancing its SUV-like feel and making it more appealing in regions with harsh winters. The AWD system used torque vectoring to optimize traction, while a multi-link suspension and retuned steering improved handling. The Kicks delivered a balanced driving experience with minimal body roll and improved noise control, though acceleration could be sluggish at times. Sport mode added some pep, and a new Snow mode aided in slippery conditions. Fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD, with AWD slightly reducing these figures.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite its small size, the engine provided ample power, with no discernible turbo lag. The Trax's six-speed automatic transmission contributed to its drivability, offering smoother power delivery than a CVT. While performance wasn't the primary focus, the Trax handled twisty roads with poise, though body roll and limited grip were evident. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, and active noise cancellation improved cabin refinement. However, some tire noise and engine drone persisted.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offered a good view of the road, though the low seating position required manual adjustment. The proximity lock and unlock feature on higher trims added convenience. The redesign improved cabin space, particularly in the second row, with a panoramic moonroof enhancing the airy feel. The Kicks boasted best-in-class cargo space, accommodating up to 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 60 cubic feet with them folded. However, wind buffeting was an issue with only one window down.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax provided competitive interior space, with rear-seat legroom surpassing some rivals. Cargo space was ample, with 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded. The tall seating position facilitated easy ingress and egress, while forward visibility was impressive. The front seats' inboard position limited center console storage but allowed for large door pockets. Cup holders were adequate, though the wireless device charger struggled to hold phones in place.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offered a basic infotainment system on the base trim, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen and wired connectivity. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo. The SR trim boasted dual 12.3-inch screens and an optional Bose audio system with headrest speakers, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless connectivity, with higher trims offering an 11-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. The layout was user-friendly, though the touchscreen's angle favored the driver, making it less accessible for the passenger. The volume knob was awkwardly placed, complicating its use for both driver and passenger.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came equipped with Safety Shield 360, including features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SV trim, offering advanced driver-assistance features. A 360-degree monitor system was available, providing a comprehensive view of the vehicle's surroundings. However, crash-test ratings were not yet available.

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offered standard driver-assist features, with additional options available on higher trims. The Teen Driver monitoring system was a notable inclusion, appealing to parents of young drivers. However, safety ratings were lacking, with the IIHS giving the Trax a "Poor" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and low marks for headlights and front-crash prevention tech.