Both the Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Kicks are well-known SUVs that are great for families. Whether you spend your time commuting on busy city roads or want a crossover capable of carrying cargo and passengers for a weekend trip out of town, these vehicles have you covered. They feature reliable engines, a spacious cabin, and a long list of entertainment technology. Our team of crossover experts here at Huffines Chevrolet in Lewisville took a closer look at the 2024 Chevrolet Trax and the Nissan Kicks to see how they compare and help you decide which one to choose.
Engine and Performance Comparison
Both SUVs are well matched when it comes to engine capabilities. The 2024 Chevrolet Trax’s engine is a 1.2-liter three-cylinder unit that puts out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. This engine is well suited to the Trax’s subcompact SUV body style, providing more than enough power to navigate city roads and accelerate to highway speeds. In terms of fuel economy, the three-cylinder engine returns 32 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg on city roads.
The Nissan Kicks is equipped with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that puts out 122 horsepower. The powertrain features a continuously variable transmission, unlike the six-speed automatic offered in the Trax. The fuel economy of the Kicks is one of its strong points. This small SUV manages 36 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg on city roads, which compares well even with some compact sedans.
Towing Capabilities
Neither of these subcompact SUVs is rated to tow a load. However, they offer ample cargo space for you to transport your groceries or daily luggage. If you’re looking for a vehicle with towing capability, consider slightly larger models, such as the compact Chevrolet Equinox or even the midsized Blazer.
Interior Features
Both crossovers have space for five passengers spread across two rows of seats, and there’s enough legroom in both rows to accommodate adult passengers. If you need to install child car seats, you’ll find two sets of lower anchors and tethers for children, or LATCH, connectors on the rear outermost seats in the Chevrolet and the Nissan. The base trim of these SUVs features cloth upholstery, but you can access more upscale features, such as heated seats and synthetic leather upholstery, if you opt for a higher trim.
Turning to cargo storage options, you’ll benefit from an expansive 25.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, which is more than you’ll find in most other vehicles in this class. Carrying bulkier items isn’t a problem since you can fold down the rear seats to open up a maximum cargo capacity of just over 54 cubic feet. As for the Kicks, it offers an almost identical 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear row of seats and 53 cubic feet if you fold the back row flat.
Infotainment Systems
Nissan equips the Kicks with a 7-inch touch screen and six-speaker stereo for its infotainment system, while the Trax boasts an 8-inch display and a four-speaker stereo. Both vehicles have smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB ports. The Trax also has a Wi-Fi hotspot so you can stay connected while you’re on the go. The hotspot is an optional add-on in the Kicks when you choose one of its higher trims.
Other upgrades for the Kicks include an 8-inch display and an eight-speaker premium stereo. In the Trax, you can add an 11-inch touch screen, a six-speaker stereo, and a wireless charging pad to keep your devices fully loaded. You can also choose to add a digital instrument display, remote start, and automatic climate control to both vehicles.
Trims and Pricing
The Trax is sold in five trims: the LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. It has a starting MSRP of just over $20,000, while the range-topping Activ trim starts at around $24,000. The Kicks’ starting MSRP is a little higher at around $21,000. It has three trims: the S, SV, and SR. The SR trim at the top of the range has a starting price of about $23,600. As you can see, both vehicles are great for shoppers who are on a modest budget but still want a crossover with impressive capabilities.
If you step up to the Trax 1RS, you’ll get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start. Sportier exterior design features also help make this trim stand out. The LT trim adds some synthetic leather accents to the upholstery, a larger infotainment screen, and a digital gauge cluster. However, the heated front seats and steering wheel from the 1RS trim have to be added in an optional package.
The 2RS adds synthetic leather seats throughout and brings back the heated front seats and steering wheel as standard. Finally, the Activ trim gets a power-adjustable driver’s seat and some styling upgrades.
The Kicks SV adds a larger infotainment touch screen, a digital instrument cluster, and adaptive cruise control. The remote start feature is also included. The range-topping SR trim has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and synthetic leather upholstery. You also get automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a more powerful stereo.
Both vehicles have various optional packages available throughout their lineups that give you access to additional driver safety features and other upgrades.
Check Out the 2024 Trax at Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville
It’s hard to pick a winner between these two crossovers, and the decision will probably depend on your personal preferences. However, we think the 2024 Chevrolet Trax has a slight edge thanks to its more powerful turbocharged engine, better infotainment options, and larger interior. If you’d like to know more about the Trax, arrange a test drive, or check out our financing options, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our team here at Huffines Chevrolet in Lewisville would be delighted to help you find the perfect crossover to suit your family’s needs.