Compare the2025 Volkswagen TaosVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Kicks’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Taos 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Taos’ standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Both the Taos and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Taos has Rear Traffic Alert (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 Taos 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

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

The Taos’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (174 vs. 141) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Taos FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Kicks FWD (28 city/36 hwy vs. 28 city/35 hwy).

The Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank 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 Taos’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

The Taos S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks S’ standard 60 series tires.

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

The Taos has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (99.5 vs. 95.7).

The Taos has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

The front step up height for the Taos is 2.5 inches lower than the Kicks (16.5” vs. 19”). The Taos’ rear step up height is 2.3 inches lower than the Kicks’ (16.7” vs. 19”).

The Taos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 60 cubic feet).

The power windows standard on both the Taos and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Taos 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 Taos’ 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 Taos’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kicks’ standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos 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.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Taos SEL 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 Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Kicks.

The Taos 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 Taos and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Taos offers optional 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.