Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse CrossVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Eclipse Cross. But it costs extra on the Kicks.

Both the Eclipse Cross 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, 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, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

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

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 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

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

The Eclipse Cross 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.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Eclipse Cross 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 Eclipse Cross’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Kicks’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Eclipse Cross for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Kicks.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Eclipse Cross has a standard 520-amp battery. The Kicks’ 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (152 vs. 141) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

The Eclipse Cross has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Eclipse Cross has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Eclipse Cross has a standard locking fuel door. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Kicks. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Eclipse Cross stops shorter than the Kicks:

The Eclipse Cross has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 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.

The Eclipse Cross’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Eclipse Cross more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Eclipse Cross has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks (8.5 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Eclipse Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Eclipse Cross has .6 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Eclipse Cross SE/SEL/Black Edition’s power liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Eclipse Cross’ power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Eclipse Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

The Eclipse Cross SEL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kicks doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Eclipse Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

Both the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Nissan Kicks offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Eclipse Cross offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Kicks’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Eclipse Cross and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The Eclipse Cross SEL also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kicks.

The Eclipse Cross SE/SEL/Black Edition’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.

With standard Voice Recognition, the Eclipse Cross LE/SE/SEL/Ralliart/Black Edition offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.