Compare the2023 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2023 Nissan Kicks

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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The Tucson Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid weighs 893 to 1067 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kicks last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Tucson Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Kicks’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Kicks.

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 Tucson Hybrid’s reliability 42 points higher than the Kicks.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 104 more horsepower (226 vs. 122) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 114) than the Kicks’ 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	10.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.4 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Hybrid gets better mileage than the Kicks:

		MPG
Tucson Hybrid
	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/36 hwy
Kicks
	1.6 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/36 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Tucson Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kicks doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tucson Hybrid’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. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tucson Hybrid has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks (13.7 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

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

The Tucson Hybrid stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Hybrid Blue has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S. The Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Kicks SV/SR.

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Kicks has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tucson Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Kicks’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Tucson Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Kicks’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the Kicks (108.5 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Hybrid is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Kicks.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .84 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Kicks SR (27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Hybrid has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks (8.3 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Tucson Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Tucson Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the Kicks (.334 to .344) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Tucson Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Tucson Hybrid 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Tucson Hybrid has 15.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (107.9 vs. 92.7).

The Tucson Hybrid has 3.6 inches more front hip room, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 7.9 inches more rear legroom, 4.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 53.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kicks doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Tucson Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kicks doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Tucson Hybrid Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kicks doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kicks 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 Tucson Hybrid and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Tucson Hybrid’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kicks can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson Hybrid’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’ power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tucson Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Kicks’ headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Tucson Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Tucson Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Kicks, and are only available on the Kicks SR. The Tucson Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kicks.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tucson Hybrid has a standard 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 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Tucson Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Kicks’ available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

With standard Dynamic Voice Control, the Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Kicks doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Nissan Kicks by 84% during the 2021 model year.

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