Subcompact SUVs are replacing small cars as America’s preferred entry-level vehicle. These small, affordable, and fuel-efficient SUVs are getting a lot of love for combining the versatility of an SUV with the easy driveability of a compact car.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks and Chevrolet Trax offer buyers plenty of style, loads of technology, and good fuel economy. They do it while providing plenty of interior space in the cabin.
Let’s check out these two subcompact SUVs.
2025 Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks hasn’t seen a major update since its 2018 debut—until this year. The Kicks got a modern new look, got a little bigger, and is still a low-priced entry in the segment.
The Kicks offers quite a bit for your money, especially regarding space for the driver and passengers. It remains one of the larger vehicles in the segment. Its 141-hp 4-cylinder engine returns excellent fuel economy at 31 mpg combined, and it’s able to get around town and onto the freeway just fine.
Nissan Kicks Highlights
Affordability: The Kicks starts at under $25,000 and comes in just three trim levels: the S, SV, and SR. That means you can get the very top trim and still keep the price tag under $30,000.
Safety tech: Even in the base S model, the Kicks comes with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Also included are rear-park assist with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning.
Making tracks: The Nissan Kicks is available with all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Chevy Trax comes exclusively with front-wheel drive (FWD). This is an important consideration if you want a confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive to get you through snowy winters.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kicks models near you.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
Chevrolet hit a home run with the new version of its Trax subcompact SUV. With exterior styling inspired by the Blazer, the Trax catches the eye quickly. Like the Kicks, it’s incredibly inexpensive, but it comes in five trim levels—LS, 1RS, LT, Activ, and 2RS.
For that money and a wheelbase six inches longer than its predecessor’s, you get a spacious cabin. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and more safety tech.
The Trax gets power from a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder. Owners aren’t going to ring up many victories in the stop-light grand prix, but it provides plenty of punch while getting around town.
Chevrolet Trax Highlights
Chevy Safety Assist: Chevrolet equips every Trax with driver assistance technologies like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams.
Lots of space: The Trax boasts best-in-class rear-seat legroom and plenty of headroom. With 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, it is ranked among the roomiest in its class.
Bigger screens: Chevy boosted the size of the standard touchscreen in the LS and 1RS to an 8-inch display, while the upper trims feature a bigger 11-inch screen, making this low-priced SUV feel high-tech.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Trailblazer models near you.
Similarities
The Kicks and Trax feature attention-getting exterior styling, an abundance of new technology, and plenty of room inside a subcompact shell.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Nissan Kicks vehicles and New 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Nissan Kicks | 2025 Chevrolet Trax | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 141 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 140 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/35 highway/31 combined mpg | 28 city/32 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | Not rated | 4-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.6 inches | 106.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 171.9 inches | 178.6 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 71.8 inches |
| Height | 64.2 inches | 61.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.9 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.7 inches | 41.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 34.5 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 54.7 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 54.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 30.0 cubic feet | 25.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
These two give “entry-level transportation” a good name. Each represents a chance to get a good vehicle with ample convenience and safety technology at a price point that could pleasantly surprise you. Test drive each one, then buy the one you like best.
