Compare the2025 Kia Sportage HybridVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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

Both the Sportage Hybrid and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (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 Sportage Hybrid and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

Warranty

The Sportage 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.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 86 more horsepower (227 vs. 141) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Sportage Hybrid	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.9 sec	29.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.5 sec	9.8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.7 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.6 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	82 MPH
Top Speed	124 MPH	120 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Sportage Hybrid
	FWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/44 hwy
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
Kicks
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy

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

The Sportage Hybrid has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sportage Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Kicks (6). This means the Sportage Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kicks every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sportage Hybrid	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage Hybrid has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R16). The Sportage LX HEV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R19).

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

Suspension and Handling

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage Hybrid’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Kicks (108.5 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage Hybrid is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

Chassis

The front grille of the Sportage 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 Sportage Hybrid has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 6.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.3 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (73.7 vs. 60 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage 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

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage 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 Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. 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 Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’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 power windows standard on both the Sportage Hybrid and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage 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 Sportage 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige 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.

When the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige 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 Sportage 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 Sportage Hybrid and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage Hybrid 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 Kia Sportage Hybrid 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.

The Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking 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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Nissan Kicks by over two to one during 2024.

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