Compare the2026 Chevrolet TrailblazerVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Trailblazer are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Trailblazer offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The Trailblazer has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Trailblazer and the Kicks Play have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Trailblazer is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	185	191
Neck Injury Risk	24%	32%
Neck Stress	190 lbs.	374 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	27 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	83/261 lbs.	343/312 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29%	79%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	82 lbs.	138 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trailblazer is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	91	139
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	318
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	47 G’s

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

Warranty

The Trailblazer’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks Play’s (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 Trailblazer’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trailblazer’s reliability 14 points higher than the Kicks Play.

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.

Engine

The Trailblazer’s standard 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (137 vs. 122) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Trailblazer’s optional 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (155 vs. 122) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
Zero to 60 MPH	8.8 sec	10.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.9 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Trailblazer’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Trailblazer has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (13.2 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	11.81 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	10.4 inches	8” drums

The Chevrolet Trailblazer has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Kicks Play. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Trailblazer stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Trailblazer has larger standard tires than the Kicks Play (225/60R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Trailblazer RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks Play (245/45R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Trailblazer RS’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks Play’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Trailblazer LS/LT/ACTIV has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Trailblazer RS has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Kicks Play only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Trailblazer is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks Play.

The Trailblazer ACTIV AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Kicks Play pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Trailblazer ACTIV AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Kicks Play (27.6 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Trailblazer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks Play (8 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Trailblazer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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

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

Passenger Space

The Trailblazer has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (98.2 vs. 92.6).

The Trailblazer has 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 5.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

Cargo Capacity

The Trailblazer has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (54.4 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

The Trailblazer’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks Play’s in almost every dimension:

	Trailblazer	Kicks Play
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32”/64.5”	35.4”/64”
Max Width	54”	49.7”
Min Width	41”	38.3”
Height	28.2”	31.6”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Trailblazer ACTIV/RS, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Trailblazer has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks Play has no towing capacity.

The Trailblazer AWD 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 Trailblazer can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Kicks Play can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Ergonomics

The Trailblazer offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Trailblazer’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 Play has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Trailblazer’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kicks Play has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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

The Trailblazer’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Kicks Play’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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

The Trailblazer’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks Play’s passenger power window and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Trailblazer’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kicks Play’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Trailblazer’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Kicks Play’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS has standard extendable sun visors. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Trailblazer (except LS) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

On extremely cold winter days, the Trailblazer’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Trailblazer offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Trailblazer LT/RS/ACTIV’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Trailblazer has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the Chevrolet Trailblazer equipped with 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Trailblazer LT/ACTIV/RS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Nissan Kicks Play, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer outsold the Nissan Kicks Play by 32% during 2024.

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