2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks – Buford, GA

One of the most significant factors in deciding to purchase a subcompact SUV over a hatchback car is that the SUV is built for strong performance. So looking into the engines and drivetrains is essential to picking the right vehicle for you. And one of the most significant factors in choosing to purchase a subcompact SUV over a full-size SUV is that you will have a more fuel-efficient vehicle. So let's take a peek at what each of these vehicles has to offer in those categories. 

Engine vs Engine

When comparing the powertrains of the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks, the 2020 Chevy Trax emerges as the clear winner. While the 1.6L engine of the 2020 Nissan Kicks is larger, the 1.4L engine of the 2020 Chevy Trax is turbocharged. This gives the Chevrolet car 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque against just 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque for its Nissan competitor. This already significant difference in power is also magnified because the 2020 Chevy Trax uses a traditional six-speed automatic transmission while the 2020 Nissan Kicks has a less engaging continuously-variable transmission.

Options for Drivetrains

But perhaps more importantly, only the 2020 Chevy Trax is offered with all-wheel drive. While a front-wheel drive car does make for a cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicle, an all-wheel drive car will be much more capable in lousy weather or offroad conditions. So if you are considering an SUV for its performance in poor conditions, then the 2020 Nissan Kicks is not the car for you. Upgrading to the all-wheel drive 2020 Chevy Trax will also get you four-wheel disc brakes for improved stopping performance, while the 2020 Nissan Kicks is only sold with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. When combined with its superior engine and transmission, these differences make the 2020 Chevy Trax hands down the superior driving vehicle.

Fuel Efficiency

The only redeeming feature of the powertrain in the 2020 Nissan Kicks is that it is more fuel-efficient. While the 2020 Chevy Trax averages a solid 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, the 2020 Nissan Kicks achieves an excellent 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. So if you are looking for a daily commuter vehicle for use in good weather, then the 2020 Nissan Kicks is worth considering. However, there are a large number of available hatchbacks that will perform that task even more efficiently.

Comparing the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks from the outside, you might think that they are very similar vehicles. While the 2020 Chevy Trax is marginally taller and wider, the 2020 Nissan Kicks is a bit longer. However, the two SUVs use their interior volume differently. 

Utilizing Space

The 2020 Nissan Kicks devotes more of the volume to passenger space, while the 2020 Chevy Trax emphasizes cargo space. Although the 2020 Nissan Kicks does have an inch more legroom upfront and almost three inches more in the back, because it is a lower vehicle, it has less rear headroom than the 2020 Chevy Trax. But if the 2020 Nissan Kicks is a bit roomier for the occupants, the 2020 Chevy Trax has far more cargo space - 48.4 cubic feet against just 32.3 cubic feet for the 2020 Nissan Kicks. So overall, the 2020 Chevy Trax makes much better use of its interior space and makes for a much more versatile vehicle.

Outside the Vehicle Walls

A less obvious aspect of the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks comparison to consider is the tires and wheels that they ride on. As SUVs, these vehicles might be expected to offer improved performance on poor roads or even offroad. However, for the 2020 Nissan Kicks, this is really not the case. While it does have almost an inch more ground clearance than the 2020 Chevy Trax, the 2020 Nissan Kicks comes with smaller tires with thinner sidewalls that are best suited to well-paved roads. The 2020 Nissan Kicks also has either 16” steel wheels or 17” alloy wheels, while all trims of the 2020 Chevy Trax come with either 16” or 18” alloy wheels.

A comfortable interior with plenty of features can be the difference between a vehicle that you enjoy driving and one that you cannot wait to get out of. However, in comparing the interiors of the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks, you will quickly see how Nissan achieved its lower price point. 

A Look Inside

Not only does the 2020 Chevy Trax offer some nicer interior materials, but many features that are available on the 2020 Chevy Trax, such as a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a power sunroof, or heated front seats, are simply not options on the 2020 Nissan Kicks. Other excellent features that are offered on both vehicles, including a remote start system and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, are found on more trims of the 2020 Chevy Trax.

This is not to say that the interior comparison is entirely one-sided, as the 2020 Nissan Kicks does have some advantages. For instance, it offers a keyless start on every trim (although this does not include a keyless entry on the lowest trim), and it does have automatic climate control on its top trim while all three trims of the 2020 Chevy Trax only have manual climate control. However, despite these small advantages of the 2020 Nissan Kicks, overall, the 2020 Chevy Trax offers a much more comfortable and feature-rich interior. While both vehicles are intended as affordable options, the 2020 Nissan Kicks is much more of an economy vehicle at heart.

Infotainment is the place where the comparison of the 2020 Chevy Trax vs 2020 Nissan Kicks is the closest. Both of these vehicles have a lot to offer in terms of the latest and greatest technology.

Tech in the Trax

All trims of the 2020 Chevy Trax come with a 7” touchscreen and an infotainment system that includes integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a 4G LTE wireless hotspot. Phones can be connected either through Bluetooth or the available USB ports, and there is also the option of a standard three-prong power outlet for charging portable electronic devices. Additionally, the higher trims of the 2020 Chevy Trax offer SiriusXM satellite radio and an upgrade from the base six-speaker audio system to a seven-speaker Bose setup. This makes for a highly capable infotainment set up to handle all your on the go entertainment needs.

Nissan Kicks Infotainment

In contrast, the available infotainment systems of the 2020 Nissan Kicks vary depending on the trim. The lowest trim comes with an extremely basic system. While it does have a 7” touchscreen and can link a phone through Bluetooth or USB to handle phone calls or stream music, it does not include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and cannot make full use of your phone’s capabilities for critical apps such as navigation. These features, as well as satellite radio, are only available on the higher trims of the 2020 Nissan Kicks. However, the audio systems on the 2020 Nissan Kicks do compare well with those of the 2020 Chevy Trax. The base system is also a six-speaker setup, and the top system is even better with its eight Bose speakers. However, while the top audio system of the 2020 Chevy Trax is an option on its middle trim and standard on its top trim, the top sound system of the 2020 Nissan Kicks is only an option on its top trim. So while it is technically superior, it is also less available.