Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Trax achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.

Both the Trax and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Trax is 2.4% to 4.3% less likely to roll over than the Kicks.

The Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 15th.

The Trax’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Trax is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

The Trax has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Trax’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

The Trax stops much shorter than the Kicks:

For better traction, the Trax has larger standard tires than the Kicks (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R16). The Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (245/45R19 vs. 225/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trax LS/LT has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Kicks (106.3 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

The Trax ACTIV handles at .81 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks SR (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The front grille of the Trax offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Trax uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kicks doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trax has 2.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (98 vs. 95.7).

The Trax has 1 inch more front shoulder room and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the Kicks.

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Kicks can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trax’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kicks does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Trax and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Trax is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trax’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kicks doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Compared to traditional radio, the Chevrolet Trax’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 2024. The Kicks has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost three to one during 2024.