2026–27 Chevrolet Trax vs Nissan Kicks: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Trax — it leads our weighted scorecard 0.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). The Kicks doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Trax 0.5 pts · Kicks 0 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Trax | 2027 Kicks | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $22,790 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 50.6% | 51% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 137 hp | 141 hp | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 5 | Trax |
| Weighted points | 0.5 | 0 | Trax |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Trax 30 mpg vs Kicks 31 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Trax 5 vs Kicks 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Trax 50.6% vs Kicks 51% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Trax: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Kicks: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Trax 2, Kicks 5.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Kicks 2023 (solid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Trax | 2027 Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $22,790 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $28,840 |
| Horsepower | 137 hp | 141 hp |
| Max torque | 162 lb-ft | 140 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 29–30 mpg | 30–31 mpg |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Trax lists for a median $13,750 — 50.6% of today's median new price of $27,174. A 5-year-old (2021) Kicks lists for a median $14,999 — 51% of today's median new price of $29,386.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Chevrolet Trax for sale →
- See 22,632 new 2027 Nissan Kicks for sale →Median listed price $27,653 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Chevrolet Trax
More on the Nissan Kicks
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Trax better than the Kicks?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Trax — it leads our weighted scorecard 0.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). The Kicks doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Trax or the Kicks?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Trax and 5 for the Kicks.
Which holds its value better, the Trax or the Kicks?
About the same — 50.6% vs 51% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Trax or the Kicks?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Trax or the Kicks?
It's a wash: 30 mpg vs 31 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Chevrolet Trax vs Nissan Kicks: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-trax-vs-nissan-kicks, updated November 8, 2026.