Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Nissan Kicks

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Rav4 Limited AWD standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Rav4 and Kicks offer Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Rav4 (except LE) has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Rav4 and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 14 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 17th.

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (203 vs. 141) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Rav4 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Rav4 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 12.4 gallons).

For better stopping power the Rav4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger standard tires than the Kicks (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R16). The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 LE/XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 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 Kicks 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Kicks (105.9 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The Rav4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.5% to 43.5%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Rav4 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks (8.6 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Rav4 Limited 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.

The Rav4 has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (98.9 vs. 95.7).

The Rav4 has 1.9 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 60 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Kicks doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 (except LE) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Enhanced Vehicle 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.

When two different drivers share the Rav4 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 power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 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.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kicks can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Rav4 and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 Limited also offers optional 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 Rav4 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 Rav4 XLE/Limited’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 Rav4 and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks, the Toyota Rav4 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost seven to one during 2023.