Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 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
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Tiguan offers 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 Tiguan’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Tiguan and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Tiguan weighs 986 to 1136 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.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tiguan	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	49	139
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	82 lbs.	172 lbs.
Hip Force	337 lbs.	347 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	318
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	510 lbs.	517 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches

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

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 “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan 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 Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Kicks.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Kicks’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (184 vs. 122) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 114) than the Kicks’ 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tiguan	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	10.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	81.5 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tiguan’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 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks (15.3 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks (15.9 vs. 10.8 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tiguan	Kicks
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Tiguan stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Tiguan	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan has larger standard tires than the Kicks (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (255/45R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks SV/SR’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S. The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Kicks SV/SR.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the Kicks (109.9 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tiguan is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks.

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the Kicks’ (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Kicks SR (28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks (7.6 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Volkswagen Tiguan amounts to more than styling. The Tiguan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the Kicks (.334 to .344). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Tiguan get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Kicks can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 31.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (123.9 vs. 92.7).

The Tiguan has 3.6 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tiguan’s middle row seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the Kicks.

	Tiguan	Kicks
Third Seat Folded	33 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	37.6 cubic feet	25.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	65.3 cubic feet	53.1 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	73.4 cubic feet	53.1 cubic feet

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

	Tiguan	Kicks
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.2”/39.7”/74.5”	n.a./36”/64”
Max Width	55”	49.7”
Min Width	39.8”	39”
Height	33.5”	38.6”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row 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, especially for short adults, the Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Tiguan SEL R-Line, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Tiguan has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kicks uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Tiguan SEL R-Line, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tiguan’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 Tiguan and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tiguan 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.

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

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Kicks can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’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 Tiguan’s optional 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Kicks doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kicks doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Tiguan’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.

When the Tiguan SEL Premium is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kicks’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tiguan SEL R-Line 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 Tiguan has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Kicks doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Tiguan SE/SEL’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 Tiguan and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan 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 Tiguan SEL R-Line’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 voice command, the Tiguan SE/SEL 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 Volkswagen Tiguan SE/SEL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Kicks doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Nissan Kicks by 36% during the 2021 model year.