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As expected, price plays a significant part in selling an entry-level vehicle. For the most part, the MSRPs in this group are very similar. The Trax stickers at $20,500, while the Soul is a mere $10 cheaper at $20,490. Hyundai sells the Venue for $20,200. The Kicks Play, a carryover of the first-generation Nissan Kicks, is the one outlier with a $21,520 starting price.
As mentioned, all four vehicles that we compare here only come in front-wheel drive, keeping costs down for the manufacturers and buyers. That said, there are differences under the hood. Most notably, the Trax is the only one with a turbocharger (with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine). This tiny but mighty combination gives the Trax 137 horsepower, the second-highest output of any vehicle in this matchup. The Soul and its 2.0-liter four-cylinder can claim horsepower bragging rights, but its output only exceeds the Trax’s by 10 horsepower, despite the Soul powerplant’s 66%-larger displacement. Meanwhile, the Venue and Kicks Play share nearly identical engine specifications: both use four-cylinder powerplants with 1.6-liter displacement. The Hyundai produces 121 horsepower, while the Kicks Play makes 122 horsepower.
Transmissions may not be at the forefront of buyers’ minds in this budget-focused category, but the Trax has the distinction of a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox. This transmission type is known for reliability and offering a more engaging driving experience than the continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) found in most lower-priced cars. CVTs have a reputation for zapping performance for the sake of fuel economy, saddling some CVT-equipped cars with a lackluster drive. The Soul, Venue, and Kicks Play all have CVTs.
The Trax, Soul, and Venue offer nearly identical fuel economy ratings. The Chevy achieves 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, versus the Kia’s 27 mpg around town and 33 mpg on the open road. The Hyundai is rated for 29 city/32 highway. The Kicks Play does offer better fuel economy (31 city/36 highway), but its higher starting price takes away much of the savings at the pump.
Edmunds’ expert reviewers give the Trax and Soul matching overall ratings of 7.9 out of 10. In particular, the Trax outscores the Soul in the technology category. Meanwhile, the Venue and Kicks Play fall behind, with each receiving a 7.4 rating.
While the features on an entry-level vehicle aren’t as numerous as they are on higher-end cars, a few extra amenities can transform the ownership experience. The Trax starts with standard 17-inch wheels versus 15- or 16-inch rims for the others: large wheels help improve handling and stability. At the same time, the Trax leads with more standard technology, including SiriusXM satellite radio and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Trax, Soul, and Venue all have an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the Kicks Play relies on a 7.5-inch touchscreen. Moving to a higher Trax trim yields a class-leading 11-inch touchscreen, something that isn’t available on the others (the closest is a 10.5-inch unit on higher Kia Soul trims).
Conveniences like heated front seats and remote start often require that you step up to a more expensive trim. But Chevy makes these extras optional on the base Trax, so that you can opt for them individually if you really want the feature. The other vehicles either don’t offer these features or require buying a more expensive version.
While all four of these vehicles fall into the subcompact crossover category, the Trax flexes its muscles with larger dimensions in several key areas. Significantly, the Trax has the longest wheelbase – 106.0 inches – compared to the 99.2 to 103.1 inches for the others. A longer distance between axles helps provide a more comfortable ride, smoothing out potholes and speed bumps. In addition, a 7.3-inch ground clearance for the Trax also helps, compared to 6.7 inches for the Soul and Venue and 7.0 inches for the Kicks Play.
At the same time, the Trax’s 178.6-inch length gives it a more prominent street presence over the more diminutive Soul (165.2 inches), Venue (159.1 inches), and Kicks Play (169.1 inches). Of course, crossovers are also about versatility, but a smaller size means that every inch of capacity matters. The Trax has 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, topping the Soul (24.2 cubic feet), Venue (18.7 cubic feet), and Kicks Play (25.3 cubic feet).